What Chemicals Kill Centipede Grass?

Challenges

• Because centipede is a perennial grass, selective herbicides cannot be used to remove this growth from the grass, according to the University of Illinois. Selective herbicides are chemically formulated to kill offending grassy weeds without harming your turf or landscape plants. Instead, gardeners should use a broad-spectrum herbicide to control their centipede grass. Broad-spectrum herbicide kills off not only centipede grass, but also any other vegetation with which the spray comes in contact.

Lawns

• Broad-spectrum herbicides that contain glyphosate kills centipede grass when used correctly. Glyphosate is able to kill centipede grass by preventing the plant from producing proteins. To use a broad-spectrum herbicide, spray on a dry day. Chemicals need at least 48 hours to fully absorb into centipede's foliage. Also, avoid mowing centipede grass two days before spraying the herbicide. The more surface area on the centipede grass, the more chemicals are absorbed into the foliage.

Flowerbeds

• Gardeners can use a selective herbicide that contains fluazifop to kill centipede grass growing in flowerbeds, according to the University of California. You can also use this herbicide to control centipede grass growing in broadleaf ground cover. For the herbicide to effectively kill centipede grass, spray when the grass is actively growing. Dormant grass doesn't absorb enough of the spray. Also, protect nearby plants that are sensitive to herbicides, such as tree seedlings, with a piece of plastic before spraying.

Other Factors

• Gardeners must wait five to 14 days to replant their lawn after spraying glyphosate, according to the University of Minnesota. It takes several days for the chemicals left in the soil to leach out. Replant the areas that contained centipede grass after the grass has died out to prevent the weed from returning. In addition, other weeds can take advantage of the bare soil and lack of competition to grow in the areas in which the centipede grass formerly occupied.