Removing Bermudagrass from Fescue Lawns: Fluazifop and Glyphosate Strategies

The Problem

Bermuda invasion makes fescue look "odd" in winter—brown patches amid green fescue.

Professional Option: Fluazifop (Ornamec)

Labeled for Bermuda suppression in fescue. Rarely on nursery shelves; typically professional-use. Precise dilution and application critical—improper use harms fescue too. Check label for fescue lawn inclusion (some only labeled for ornamental beds).

• Best timing: spring, just as Bermuda sprouts green stems.

Alternative: Glyphosate in Summer

Spray glyphosate on green Bermuda in early August, wait 3 weeks, respray by early September. Then plant fescue mid-September at correct time.

Homeowner Cautionary Tale

One homeowner applied fluazifop per instructions (hard to ratio for hose sprayer) with nonionic surfactant. Within a week, all grass yellowed; in 3 weeks, all fescue dead, Bermuda survived. BE CAREFUL WITH FLUAZIFOP! Restarting with fall Roundup kill and reseed.