Eradicating Invasive Wiregrass (Bermuda Grass) Through Solarization

Eradicating Invasive Wiregrass (Bermuda Grass) Through Solarization

You want permanent removal of wiregrass (common Bermuda, Cynodon dactylon). Chemicals won’t do it. Solarization will.

Why Wiregrass Is Nearly Unkillable

• Rhizomes + stolons = double spread mechanism.
• 4.4 million seeds per kilogram.
• Survives fire, drought, glyphosate, and most herbicides.
• Legal chemicals (bromacil, imazapyr) sterilize soil and kill everything else.

Solarization: The Only Reliable Eradication

1. Water area deeply to germinate dormant seeds.
2. Lay clear 4–6 mil plastic, tight and weighted at edges.
3. Leave 6–8 weeks in full summer sun (June–August in North).
4. Soil temps hit 120–140°F, killing rhizomes, seeds, pathogens.
5. Remove plastic, amend, seed immediately.

Post-Solarization Vigilance

Watch for new seedlings (wind-blown seeds). Remove instantly. Wiregrass is a lifelong battle, but solarization resets the clock.

Science is hunting a biological control. Until then, the sun is your best weapon.