How to Get Rid of Bermuda Grass in St. Augustine, Florida
- 1). Walk around your yard to determine the location of Bermuda grass plants. Bermuda grass features multiple nodes and hairy leaf sheaths, while St. Augustine grass features smooth and compacted leaf sheaths that overlap one another. Sprinkle powdered chalk around the areas of infestation.
- 2). Pull out patches of Bermuda grass from the turf if the infestation is small. Loosen pre-moistened soil around each grass plant with a trowel. Grasp the stem around the middle firmly and pull so the plant slides out of the soil, along with the roots. Collect all Bermuda grass plants and discard. Till the bare spots and prepare to overseed the Florida lawn.
- 3). Pour a selective herbicide specifically designed to kill Bermuda grass into a pump sprayer. Such herbicides target Bermuda grass without harming St. Augustine plants. Read label directions beforehand to determine whether the herbicide is concentrated or already diluted -- add the specified amount of water to dilute the concentrate before application.
- 4). Direct the nozzle over the Bermuda grass plants marked with powdered chalk. Spray a steady flow of herbicide over each plant to ensure complete coverage. The enzymes in the herbicide penetrate the Bermuda grass plant and adversely affect proper functioning, causing it to die in one or two days. Rake dead plant and discard, or repeat application to kill stubborn Bermuda grass plants.
- 5). Mow the St. Augustine lawn grass to a height of 4 inches to crowd Bermuda grass plants growing in between. Because Bermuda grass enjoys full sun, shading these grass plants cause them to become weak and straggly and eventually die.