How to Get Rid of Wild Grass in Bermuda Sod

Mow your lawn with a lawnmower, keeping all of the lawn's grasses 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches tall at all times the grasses actively grow. The short height limits the resources available to invasive, wild grass, which reduces its chances of establishment in the location.

Remove wild grass from the lawn by hand, using a weeding tool or trowel, getting rid of it before it has a chance to go to seed. Annual grasses respond readily to this treatment while perennial varieties may be more difficult to eradicate.

Spray the wild grass with a post-emergence herbicide if necessary. Determine the type of grassy weed, and use a post-emergence herbicide appropriate for that weed type and safe for bermudagrass, such as an herbicide containing monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA) or calcium acid methanearsonate (CMA). Spray the herbicide only when the outdoor air temperature is 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the lawn is properly watered, rain is not predicted for 24 hours and no wind is present. Repeat the post-emergence herbicide application to the wild grass as necessary every 10 to 14 days.

Apply a pre-emergence herbicide if necessary for better wild grass control, using a formulation for your specific wild grass weed type but safe for bermudagrass, such as formulations containing benefin or oryzalin. Apply the pre-emergence herbicide in springtime when the air temperature hits 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit four days in a row. Irrigate the treated area with 1/2 inch of water immediately after the pre-emergence herbicide application.

Keep your bermudagrass lawn healthy with regular irrigation and proper mowing, keeping the grass 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches tall by mowing it one to three times per week. Most weed infestations, including the appearance of wild grass, are signs of an unhealthy lawn.