7 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bermuda Grass for Good

Depending on where you live, Bermuda grass is either a welcome sight or a nuisance. Recognized by its fine-textured, thin, dark green leaves that are pointed at the tip, Bermuda grass is a creeping grass that covers the ground quickly due to its surface stolons and underground rhizomes.

Its heat and drought tolerance make it desirable in the South, where it's intentionally grown as turf. However, homeowners in the North have a different perspective on Bermuda grass. It is extremely invasive and can overtake more aesthetically pleasing turf types like fescue, zoysia, and centipede. "It spreads aggressively into garden beds, sidewalks, and other lawns, is hard to control once established, and can create a patchy, uneven appearance," says Jason McCausland of Weed Man.

If you live somewhere Bermuda grass is considered a weed, we're sharing a few effective, natural ways to get rid of it from your landscape once and for all.

Hand-Pull

Hand-pulling is the best way to get rid of Bermuda grass without compromising the health of the rest of your lawn or garden, says McCausland. Grab the grass from the base and pull it up out of the ground, making sure to remove the surface stolons and underground rhizomes, as new leaves can emerge from both tissues, notes Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University.

Raking

If you want to remove a large patch of Bermuda grass, raking is an effective way to remove the surface stolons and vegetation. "However, after the initial raking, using a hoe or other appropriate garden tool to scrape out any remaining underground rhizomes can help quell future growth," says Abdi.

Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water over Bermuda grass can stun the grass and kill it temporarily. While it's not a permanent solution, Abdi notes it may be suitable in smaller areas, like between sidewalks, to control the problem. "Boiling water may not have effects that reach the roots and rhizomes, allowing the plant to regrow after it recovers," he says. Avoid this method in the garden as it may kill other desirable plants.

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Solarization

Solarization is an effective method that uses the sun to kill large patches of Bermuda grass. For this, Abdi says to lay clear plastic sheeting over affected areas, which creates high temperatures that kill the grass. "When placing the plastic sheeting, make sure it is properly affixed to the ground (i.e. burying edges) to create a seal that traps and retains heat," he says.

Vinegar Weed Killer

Mix vinegar, dish soap, and water to make an effective treatment for killing Bermuda grass and other weeds. "Vinegar can help desiccate (dry out) Bermuda grass leaves at the surface," says Abdi. However, like boiling water, the underground rhizomes and roots may not be affected by a vinegar solution and eventually regrow from below. Because it's a temporary treatment, this method is better for smaller nooks and crannies where Bermuda grass grows.

Sheet Mulching

If you have the time and patience, sheet mulching can kill Bermuda grass over time. "Covering Bermuda grass with materials such as layers of cardboard, newspaper, or other materials can choke out the grass," says Abdi. "However, the process may take a while (several months) to fully kill it."

Bed Edging

Bermuda grass can make its way into your garden beds, starving desirable plants of nutrients and water. "Providing a physical barrier to stop Bermuda grass stolons and rhizomes from creeping into landscape beds is a good way to keep the problem at bay—but make sure that the edging is tall and deep enough to hold back the surface and subsurface growth structures," says Abdi.