Controlling Bermudagrass in Fescue and Other Cool-Season Lawns

You don't always want to kill bermudagrass outright—sometimes you just want to suppress it in a fescue lawn. Three chemical approaches exist, but two are "off-label" (user assumes all risk).

Solution 1: Labeled Product (Bayer Advanced Bermudagrass Control)

Labeled for fescue. Do NOT use on St. Augustine, bermudagrass, bentgrass, centipede, or bahia.

Solution 2: Fluazifop (Ornamec / Grass-B-Gon / Green Light)

Professionals use Ornamec (fluazifop) for bermudagrass suppression in fescue. Homeowner products (Ortho Grass-B-Gon, Green Light Bermudagrass Killer) contain the same active ingredient but their labels do NOT include fescue lawns—only ornamental beds. Using them on fescue is technically a label violation. Apply in spring as bermudagrass greens up.

Solution 3: Triclopyr (Weed-B-Gon for Chickweed, Clover, Oxalis)

Bermudagrass is more sensitive to triclopyr than fescue. The label says "do not use on bermudagrass lawns," implying it can be used on other turf. Again, this is off-label for fescue. Apply in spring at green-up.

Caution: Off-label use carries legal and liability risks. Misapplication can damage fescue. The labeled product (Solution 1) is the safest choice.