How to Eradicate Quack Grass

Quack grass is a perennial, cool season grass also known as scutch, durfa or twitch grass. The weed is a native of Europe and is considered a noxious weed in 41 states in the United States, as cited by the University of Minnesota Extension. Quack grass spreads rapidly with tough, underground rhizomes and is very hard to control, growing to a mature height of 1 to 4 feet. The weed produces seeds in July, and these seeds persist for extended periods in soil. Quack grass is best eradicated with the use of herbicides.

Glyphosate herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Use glyphosate as a post-emergence herbicide for killing quack grass. The chemical is sold under different trade names and is 95 percent effective in controlling the weed, according to the Washington State University Extension.
- 2
  Apply the herbicide to the weed as a spot treatment. Spot treatment means targeting each weed plant individually since glyphosate will injure any surrounding vegetation that it comes in contact with.
- 3
  Spray the herbicide on the green and actively growing weeds for best efficacy. Do not use when there is rain expected within the next 48 hours. Avoid use of glyphosate on windy days to minimize chances of drift to non-target plants.
- 4
  Use glyphosate at air temperatures of 50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by the Pennsylvania State University Extension. If you are attempting to control quack grass during the fall, start treatment following the first light frost.
- 5
  Reapply herbicide after a week to help the chemical move into dormant buds that gradually start to produce new shoots. This is important since the chemical is effective only on the active, grown plant tissues. Repeat application three to four times to completely kill the weed.

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