How to Kill Yellow Foxtail in Bermudagrass Without Hurting Your Lawn
Direct Agronomic Answer
To selectively kill Yellow Foxtail in Bermudagrass without damaging your turf, apply Drive XLR8 (Quinclorac 18.92%), Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) (Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG)) when air temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F.
Pair Quinclorac with MSO surfactant. Mesotrione (Tenacity) also provides post-emergent control in cool-season lawns.
1. Labeled Safe Herbicides That Kill Yellow Foxtail 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 |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) EPA Reg. 100-1139 |
Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG) Group 3 (Microtubule Assembly Inhibitor / Dinitroaniline) |
45°F – 90°F Rainfast: 0h |
Pre-emergent soil barrier: do NOT use foliar surfactant. Must be watered in with 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall within 14 days of application to activate. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
2. What NOT to Spray on Bermudagrass When Treating Yellow Foxtail
Warning: Common Yellow Foxtail Killers That Damage Bermudagrass
Many retail herbicides advertised for Yellow Foxtail 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.
- AVOID Pylex Herbicide (Topramezone 29.7%): Rated 'avoid' on Bermudagrass — high risk of turf phytotoxicity or stunting.
3. Optimal Seasonal Timing & Temperature Thresholds
Apply pre-emergents in spring with crabgrass timing, or spray post-emergents when tillers have 2 to 4 leaves in early summer.
Spraying before seedheads emerge prevents seed bank accumulation.
4. Diagnostic Checklist: Confirm It Is Yellow Foxtail Before Spraying
- Dense, bushy, cylindrical 'foxtail' seedheads with yellow to golden-brown bristles
- Long, soft hairs on the upper surface of the leaf blade near the base
- Stems often distinctly flattened and reddish-purple at the soil line
Not 100% sure? Use our AI Photo Weed Scanner or review the full Yellow Foxtail Botanical Profile.