How to Kill Barnyardgrass in Bermudagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Barnyardgrass in Bermudagrass without damaging your turf, apply Drive XLR8 (Quinclorac 18.92%) when air temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F.
Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra) is also highly effective in tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Barnyardgrass in Bermudagrass
| Recommended Product | Active Ingredient & Group | Application Temp (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Protocol | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive XLR8 EPA Reg. 7969-272 |
Quinclorac 18.92% Group 4 (Synthetic Auxin / Quinoline Carboxylic Acid) |
60°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Requires Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) surfactant at 1.5 tbsp (0.75 fl oz) per gallon of water for effective cuticle penetration on multi-tiller crabgrass. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
2. What NOT to Spray on Bermudagrass When Treating Barnyardgrass
Warning: Common Barnyardgrass Killers That Damage Bermudagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Barnyardgrass are formulated for different turf zones and will severely injure Bermudagrass:
- AVOID Acclaim Extra (Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 6.59%): Rated 'avoid' on Bermudagrass — high risk of turf phytotoxicity or stunting.
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
Apply post-emergents early in summer when plants have 1 to 3 tillers.
Pre-emergent Prodiamine applied in spring stops seeds before emergence.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Barnyardgrass Before Spraying
- Thick, robust stems often reddish-purple tinted at the base with no ligule (completely ligule-less)
- Broad, flat, smooth blades with a conspicuous white midrib
- Coarse, branched, purplish seedheads with short to long stiff awns
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Barnyardgrass Botanical Profile.