The Best Weed Killers That Won’t Harm Bermuda Grass

Bermuda Grass is a popular warm-season perennial grass found in many lawns, parks, and athletic fields in warmer climates. 

Bermuda Grass has a reputation for being extremely resilient and can tolerate heat, drought, salt, heavy foot traffic, and even pests. 

However, Bermuda Grass is still susceptible to pesky, unwanted weeds. 

Weeds are invasive and undesirable plants which steal nutrients from your beloved lawn or garden and rapidly take over. 

Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” regarding weed control, but we’re here to help unearth your weed issue and find the best product for your lawn and type of weeds. 

We’ve compiled various best herbicides to tackle your weed issue. 

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Pre and Post-Emergent Weed Killers 

Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action

  • Best Overall
  • Granular Formula – Applied using a Drop Spreader or Broadcast Spreader
  • Pros: Contains Fertilizer
  • Cons: Complication Application Process

Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action uses a 3-in-1 formula to kill existing weeds, prevent new weed growth, and fertilize your lawn.  

It can kill many common weeds, including dandelion, clover, and foxtail. 

Expect results in as little as 2 weeks. 

This formula will also block Crabgrass growth for 4 months after use. 

Additionally, the fertilizer in Scotts Turf Builder will help create a denser lawn, making it harder for weeds to root into your Bermuda Grass.

Scotts Turf Builder has more steps and detailed instructions than other weed killers compared to other products. 

It needs to be applied to a wet lawn when the temperature falls between 60-80° degrees Fahrenheit (27° C) and requires additional watering 24 hours after the initial application. 

Although it may require more work during the application, the results will keep your lawn dense, healthy, and free of unwanted weeds.  

Bioadvance Selective Herbicide

  • Best for treating Broadleaf Weeds
  • Liquid Herbicide with Sprayhead, Attaches to your Garden Hose
  • Pros: Simple Application
  • Cons: Doesn’t treat Grass Weeds

If you’re looking for a product to eliminate Broadleaf Weeds, we recommend Bioadvance Selective Herbicide.

This easy-to-use product will kill over 200 species of Broadleaf Weeds, including some of the most pervasive weeds such as clovers, dandelion, and chickweed.

Bioadvance uses ingredients to tackle existing weeds and prevent new weed growth for up to 6 months. 

Additionally, the Bioadvance formula comes already prepared (no mixing necessary) with an attachable sprayer with your garden hose for an easy, one-time application. 

It’s rainproof in 1 hour and is usable anytime when the temperatures are between 50-90° degrees Fahrenheit (32° C). 

Preen Crabgrass Lawn Control

  • Best for treating crabgrass
  • Granular Formula – Applied using a Drop Spreader or Broadcast Spreader
  • Pros: Simple Application
  • Cons: Treats a limited number of Broadleaf Weeds

If you have a Crabgrass problem, Preen Crabgrass Control is the herbicide for you. 

Crabgrass is one of the most common grassy weeds in the U.S., an annual weed with long, broad blades forming in unsightly clumps in lawn grasses.

Preen is an excellent option for killing crabgrass and keeping it away, as the product contains pre and post-emergent solutions to eliminate this tenacious weed at any growth stage. 

Preen’s Crabgrass Control will kill existing crabgrass and over 40 other types of Grassy Weeds up to 4 weeks after germination. 

Additionally, it contains preventative ingredients to halt Crabgrass growth for 4 months after application.

Preen’s instructions are simple enough for a novice gardener or landscaper to follow. 

Apply using a broadcast spreader in the fall or spring, and make sure to water after application.

Post-Emergent Weed Killers 

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Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer

  • Best for quick results 
  • Liquid herbicide with spray head attaches to your Garden Hose
  • Pros: Quick results, Simple application process
  • Cons: Hard to kill weeds may need multiple applications or spot treatments

Ortho’s ready-to-use product is fast-acting, easy to use, and kills over 200 types of weeds. 

This potent formula uses 3 active ingredients, 2,4-D, Dicamba, and Quinclorac, to target many different weeds and kill weeds to the root. 

Ortho’s product boasts visible results in just a few hours when correctly applied and is safe for Bermuda Grass and many other grass types.

To apply, simply connect the spray head to your garden hose and evenly coat the area until your lawn is wet. 

Only apply when the temperature is below 85° degrees Fahrenheit (29° C) and make sure to keep people and pets out of the affected area until dry. 

Apply when weeds are in the early growth stage and still developing for best use.

Pennington UltraGreen Weed & Feed

  • Best for Quick Greening
  • Granular Formula – Applied using a Drop Spreader or Broadcast Spreader
  • Pros: Contains nitrogen for added color and growth
  • Cons: Complicated Application Process

If your lawn is looking lackluster and in need of quick greening as well as weed control, we recommend Pennington UltraGreen Weed & Feed

This product will kill over 250 kinds of lawn weeds while also feeding and fertilizing for up to 3 months. 

Pennington’s formula contains fast-acting and slow-release nitrogen to quickly develop a lush, green lawn and keep it healthy for months after fertilizing. 

Nitrogen is an ingredient found in many fertilizers and is best known for accelerating growth and building a vibrant green color. 

Like Scott’s Turf Builder, Pennington’s product requires more tedious steps than other weed killers. 

Apply 1-2 days after your Bermuda Grass has been mowed and watered, and water again 2 days after application. 

This product is usable anytime between April-June, but be mindful of the temperatures. 

Pennington warns against using if the temperature is consistently above 90° degrees Fahrenheit (32° C).

Sedgehammer Plus Turf Herbicide

  • Best for Killing Nutsedge
  • Liquid Herbicide – Spread Using Garden Sprayer
  • Pros: Simple Application, Quick results
  • Cons: Selective Weed Killer, Doesn’t kill many types of weeds 

Sedgehammer is a liquid weed killer best known for killing nutsedge without harming beloved grasses. 

Also commonly known as Nutgrass, Nutsedge is an aggressive and fast-spreading perennial weed in yellow and purple varieties. 

This tough weed will come back year after year and require specific selective grassy weed killers to properly eliminate. 

Sedgehammer uses the active ingredient halosulfuron to target the above-ground vegetation and the underground rhizomes and tubers. 

The tubers serve as the growth point for new nutsedge, so the herbicide must penetrate the base of the weed. 

Sedgehammer application is fairly simple. 

Measure the appropriate amount of powder and water and mix thoroughly. 

Spread the liquid solution using a garden sprayer and saturate the affected area. 

You’ll notice visible results within 10-14 days. 

Pre-Emergent Weed Killers

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Dimension 2EW Dithiopyr

  • Liquid Herbicide – Mix with Water & Spread Using Garden Sprayer
  • Pros: Simple Application Process
  • Cons: Cost

Dimension 2EW is an extremely aggressive pre-emergent herbicide used to control many types of grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds. 

This liquid formula contains the active ingredient dithiopyr to target weeds during germination and controls unwanted weeds all season long. 

This herbicide has some of the best reviews for pre-emergent control, but it comes with a hefty price tag. (A 1/2 gallon bottle usually costs around $150.) 

To apply, simply mix the liquid formula with water in a spray tank and cover the turf or desired landscape. 

Dimension 2EW may be mixed with water alone and liquid fertilizer and comes in 1/2 and 2.5-gallon jugs. 

Warning: If not mixed appropriately, this product can kill desirable grasses, so it’s critical to read the product label and follow instructions precisely.

The Andersons Barricade Professional-Grade Granular 

  • Granular Formula – Applied using a Drop Spreader or Broadcast Spreader
  • Pros: Patented Dispersible Granular Technology 
  • Cons: Complicated Application Process

Barricade is a professional-grade pre-emergent herbicide preventing over 30 types of grassy and broadleaf weeds. 

While this product is safe for many grass types, customer reviews show Barricade works exceptionally well with Bermuda Grass. 

Barricade’s unique formula uses Dispersible Granular Technology, where each granule bursts into thousands of smaller particles after exposure to water. 

This allows the active ingredients to move deeper into the soil to prevent germination.

Barricade uses the active ingredient prodiamine and works by impeding the germination of weeds. 

However, be mindful if you’ve recently seeded your lawn as Barricade can prevent the germination of your Bermuda Grass if this product is used incorrectly. 

As with most granular products, the application process is more detailed and requires the user to follow instructions thoroughly. 

Barricade should only be applied during the early spring and fall and won’t be effective without at least 0.5″ inches of water. 

Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 WDG

  • Liquid Herbicide – Mix with Water & Spread Using Garden Sprayer
  • Pros: Simple application process
  • Cons: Cost

Quali-Pro’s Prodiamine 65WDG is a tough pre-emergent herbicide controlling over 30 types of grassy and broadleaf weeds. 

Like Barricade’s product, Quali-Pro uses the active ingredient prodiamine to prevent new weeds from germinating. 

This tenacious weed killer can even control crabgrass for up to 8 months when applied correctly. 

Similar to Dimension 2EW Dithiopyr, the application process for this liquid herbicide is fairly simple. 

Prodiamine 65WDG may be mixed with water or fertilizer and should be applied in the spring or fall before weeds are actively growing. 

It requires 0.5″ inches of water or rain within 14 days of application for the active ingredients to work properly.  

Lawn care pros have found this is one of the best pre-emergent products for turf grasses. 

However, it is quite pricey. (A 5lb container costs between $75-$80.)

Weeds & Herbicides: Terminology and Things to Know 

Weeds are split into two main categories – Broadleaf Weeds and Grassy Weeds

When dealing with unwanted weeds, it’s important to identify the type and species of weed to determine the best solution.  

Grassy Weeds

Unsurprisingly, grassy weeds resemble desirable grasses but have the annoying characteristics and pervasiveness of weeds. 

Common species of Grassy Weeds include crabgrass, nutsedge, and foxtail.

Check out this article on our page for more info about identifying types of Grassy Weeds.

Broadleaf Weeds

Broadleaf Weeds have a large, central vein leading to wide leaves or flowers, making them easier to spot than Grassy Weeds. 

Common species of Broadleaf Weeds include Chickweed, Dandelion, Clover, Doveweed, and Spurge. 

Annual Weeds vs. Perennial Weeds

Similar to grass and other vegetation species, weeds also come in annual and perennial varieties. 

Annual Weeds germinate from one seedling and will die at the end of their growing season, whereas Perennial Weeds will continue to grow back every year. 

Herbicides

In regards to herbicides and weed elimination, use pre-emergent or post-emergent solutions. 

Pre-emergent herbicides use active ingredients to prevent weeds from growing in the future. 

Post-emergent herbicides are used to kill unwanted weeds already present in your lawn or garden. 

There are also selective and non-selective herbicides. 

Non-selective herbicides kill all vegetation, whereas selective herbicides are created to target specific weeds or vegetation. 

To ensure your Bermuda Grass isn’t a casualty in the process, it’s critical to choose a selective herbicide without harming your lawn and other desirable plants.