How to Control a Bindweed Perennial Morning Glory

Mechanical Control

• 1

  Pull any emergent seedlings or mature plants by grasping the taproot and yanking it up in a slight twisting motion. Discard the bindweed in a plastic bag. Mature plants leave behind pieces of rhizomes and roots, but consistent removal prevents seed production.

• 2

  Till the top 4 inches of soil eight to 12 days after plant emergence. Repeat tilling every three to four weeks. Cultivating prevents the establishment of existing and new seedlings. As with hand pulling, mature plants leave behind pieces of rhizomes and roots.

• 3

  Cover infested areas with landscape fabrics such as polyester and polypropylene or mulches such as black plastic and cardboard. Make certain that the edges of the fabric cover the bindweed stems. Improperly covered bindweed may grow between the sheets of fabric or through any holes. It will take at least three years for bindweed to die back, and if the fabric is removed before then, bindweed may germinate.

Chemical Control

• 4

  Treat infested ornamental areas with a pre-emergent herbicide containing the active ingredient trifluralin, oryzalin or pendimethalin. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent seeds from germinating, but they do not kill established bindweed plants. Bindweed seed germinates anytime from early spring to late fall. Herbicides have differing forms, strengths and ingredients. Follow the label precautions and instructions for the right method of application, timing and mixing.

• 5

  Apply a post-emergent herbicide containing the active ingredient 2,4-D or dicamba to infested turf grass areas. Post-emergent herbicides control the bindweed temporarily by removing the top growth, but they do not affect the root system greatly. As with the pre-emergent herbicide, follow the label precautions and instructions.

• 6

  Treat infested areas that have no desirable plants with a post-emergent herbicide containing glyphosate. All emergent plants die back, but seeds are not affected. Herbicides have differing forms, strengths and ingredients. Follow the label precautions and instructions.