Bahia grass is valued as a lawn grass for its drought resistance and low maintenance needs. However, it can be a major nuisance when it invades a lawn as a weed.
Apart from its coarse texture and unsightly seed heads, this Southern grass will compete with your desirable turfgrass and quickly take over if left unchecked.
The good news?
You can get rid of bahia grass without damaging your lawn but only if you use the right methods.
Here are the removal methods that guarantee the complete eradication of unwanted Bahia grass.
Ways to Kill Bahia Grass Without Harming Your Lawn
Before jumping into control methods, make sure you’re dealing with Bahia grass. It is light green in color and has V-shaped seed heads, tough stolons, and a coarse leaf texture.
It is often confused with other grass varieties such as Bermuda and Centipede grass. Therefore, proper identification is critical, as treatments vary depending on the type of grass you’re targeting.
1. Hand Pulling Small Patches
If Bahia grass has only started to creep in, hand pulling is a safe and effective method. Be sure to get the entire root system, as Bahia grass can regrow from rhizomes left in the soil.
Also, ensure the seedheads don’t scatter on the lawn as the new grass growth can stifle your removal efforts.
This method is viable if you’re dealing with a small infestation and have the time to dedicate to maintenance.
2. Apply Selective Herbicides
For more widespread infestations, use a selective post-emergent herbicide that targets Bahia grass while sparing your desired turf.
Look for products containing Metsulfuron-methyl or Atrazine (only if your lawn type tolerates it, like St. Augustinegrass or Centipedegrass). Always read and follow label instructions carefully.
Remember, not all turfgrass varieties tolerate the same herbicides. For example, bermudagrass tolerates different herbicides than zoysiagrass.
3. Improve Lawn Health and Density
A thick, healthy lawn is your best defense against invaders like Bahia grass. Regular mowing, proper fertilization, and aeration will make your turf denser, reducing space for weeds to grow.
Avoid cutting the grass too low as it stresses your turf and opens up room for weeds. Routinely overseed thin or bare patches to encourage denser growth that can withstand weeds like bahiagrass.
Depending on your turf variety, you can consider infrequent watering to discourage weed growth. The best way to do it without stressing your lawn is to water it lightly but over a period of time. This way, the water can penetrate deep into the roots and support a strong root system.
4. Spot Treat With a Non-Selective Herbicide
Bahia grass is resilient and can persist despite all your efforts. If this occurs, you may need to resort to a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate or MSMA. A common herbicide product you can use is Roundup.
Carefully apply it only to Bahia patches using a sponge or small spray applicator. After the Bahia dies off, reseed or sod the area with your preferred grass type.
Consider a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate as a last resort, because it kills anything it touches. However, when applied correctly, it can kill bahiagrass to the roots.
How to Prevent Bahiagrass Regrowth on Your Lawn
Bahiagrass is a persistent weed but with the right strategies, you can prevent regrowth and time-consuming repeat weed control.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Manually Remove Clumps
Once you identify the weed, dig out clumps of the grass including the roots and rhizomes. It is easier to pull them out when the soil is moist — after watering or rainfall.
To prevent other weeds from growing in the bare patches, re-seed or patch the area with your preferred turfgrass.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lawn
A thick, lush lawn chokes out bahiagrass. Keep your lawn healthy by first mowing your grass at the recommended height to prevent the formation of seed heads and the further spread of the weed. The mowing height is usually 2.5 – 4 inches depending on turf species.
Secondly, use a lawn fertilizer tailored to your grass type to promote thick growth. Lastly, water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots. This will discourage weed seeds from germinating.
3. Install Edging
To prevent bahiagrass from creeping in from roads or pastures, edge your lawn along borders. Installing a deep edging barrier (3–6 inches below the surface) is sufficient to block rhizomes from crossing into your lawn’s root zone.
Edging also limits seed spread as it creates a physical gap where Bahia grass seedlings struggle to establish. However, it may not stop wind-blown seeds.
It also allows for easier identification and timely manual removal of stray seedlings along the border. Keep the edges trimmed regularly to create a formidable defense against bahiagrass.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.