Creeping bentgrass can be a tough perennial grassy weed to get rid of. To get rid of creeping bentgrass on your lawn, you will likely need to turn to post-emergent herbicides for the best results. However, you have other weed control methods at your disposal too, such as solarization and lawn renovation.
How to remove creeping bentgrass from your lawn
The most effective way to get rid of creeping bentgrass is using post-emergent herbicides, but there are other weed control methods you can use:
- Selective post-emergent herbicides
- Non-selective post-emergent herbicides
- Solarization
- Full renovation
Keep in mind that for every creeping bentgrass patch you see, there will likely be some creeping bentgrass mixed into the surrounding grass. You will need to treat the surrounding 6 inches of turf as well. Otherwise, the bentgrass will regrow from the stolons.
Selective post-emergent herbicides
Unfortunately, not many post-emergent herbicides are super effective at getting rid of creeping bentgrass. It will injure it, sure; however, it can quickly recover thanks to its stolons or hide out in the soil as seed for up to a year.
The most popular herbicide used against creeping bentgrass is Tenacity (mesotrione). It’s a selective herbicide that targets 45 broadleaf and grassy weeds aside from creeping bentgrass. However, its big draw is its bentgrass-killing properties.
The best part is that Tenacity won’t harm desirable cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. So, you can spray it lightly over your whole lawn to kill the bentgrass without worrying about hurting your turf.
How does Tenacity work? Tenacity works by preventing affected bentgrass from photosynthesizing. You’ll know it’s working if you see shocking white patches in your lawn. Weeds sprayed with Tenacity turn white before turning brown and dying.
Note: Use Tenacity when the creeping bentgrass is actively growing and avoid spraying when it’s dormant for the best results.
You’ll need to spray Tenacity on the bentgrass three times, two weeks in between each application.
According to Pamela Sherratt, a turfgrass specialist with Ohio State University, the best time to apply mesotrione is in the fall. However, you can also start in August so you’re ready to reseed by the last application in September.
After the bentgrass has died, overseed your lawn or install sod to help prevent the bentgrass from coming back. This will cover up the bare patches where weeds can grow. You also can use Tenacity as a pre-emergent herbicide.
Non-selective herbicide
If you are not worried about killing your lawn, use a non-selective weed killer like glyphosate to get rid of creeping bentgrass. Going with a non-selective herbicide will kill all plants sprayed — not just the creeping bentgrass.
Make sure to spray the non-selective herbicide only on the creeping bentgrass.
Then, overseed or install sod on your lawn once the bentgrass is dead. Choose a non-selective herbicide that doesn’t have a pre-emergent component to it, as it will also prevent your new grass from establishing.
Solarization
If you’d like to go with a non-chemical control option, you can try solarization. Solarization is the process of staking a clear plastic sheet over weed patches to heat them up to lethal levels and choke them out.
Keep in mind that everything under the plastic sheet will likely die. You will need to reseed or resod your lawn afterward.
How long should you leave the plastic there? Keeping the bentgrass covered for about a week should be enough. You’ll be able to see if everything is dead, anyway.
Full renovation
Is most of your lawn overrun with creeping bentgrass? The most drastic option would be to start over and renovate your whole lawn.
You’ll need to kill and remove all the grass and weeds on your lawn using a non-selective herbicide or a sod cutter. Then, you will need to prepare your lawn for new grass by removing excess thatch and debris.
Next, you’ll need to grow grass or sod your lawn. Here are some guides that will be helpful:
- “Best Ways to Grow Grass Fast”
- “How to Grow Grass”
- “How to Plant Grass Seed”
- “How to Grow a Lawn with Grass Plugs”
Note: If you’re going to seed your lawn, make sure to check the seed label’s weed seed percentage. Select one with the lowest percentage for the lowest chance of creeping bentgrass making it back on your lawn.
While you don’t need to deal with bentgrass on your new lawn now, you will need to do so in the future if you don’t take the steps to prevent creeping bentgrass from coming back.
How to prevent creeping bentgrass
There are some ways to prevent creeping bentgrass from getting a foothold on your lawn:
- Using pre-emergent herbicides
- Watering properly
- Mowing at the proper height
- Fertilizing appropriately
Keep in mind that creeping bentgrass can get into your lawn through seed and stolons. While we do discuss how to prevent it from sprouting, we’ll mostly talk about how to prevent it from spreading further.
Using pre-emergent herbicides
Keeping on top of your pre-emergent herbicide applications will help prevent creeping bentgrass seeds from germinating. Apply pre-emergent in early spring and early fall to prevent creeping bentgrass.
However, not all pre-emergent weed killers will work against creeping bentgrass. We recommend using prodiamine to prevent creeping bentgrass. Tenacity is another option, but you should apply it at the same time you overseed your lawn as it doesn’t last long.
Watering properly
If you’re the type to water your lawn daily in short bursts, then don’t be surprised if you find your lawn harboring creeping bentgrass. Bentgrass roots are shorter than other turfgrass roots, so you’re actually helping to keep them alive by watering frequently.
Instead, water your lawn deeply and infrequently. Your turf can make use of the water in the deeper parts of the soil, while the creeping bentgrass cannot.
Here are some articles that will help you strike the right balance when it comes to lawn irrigation:
- “When and How to Water Your Lawn”
- “How Often Should I Water My Lawn with a Sprinkler System”
- “How Long Should You Water Your Lawn?”
Mowing at the proper height
Bentgrass grows best when you mow your lawn low. So, you should make sure you mow your turfgrass to the proper height, which is often taller than the preferred height for creeping bentgrass.
You get healthier grass when you mow your lawn properly. Healthier turf is stronger and can compete against weeds. Proper mowing also means not scalping your lawn (cutting too much at a time).
Here’s another thing: When allowed to grow tall, bentgrass develops “false crowns,” which makes the leaves grow further up the plant than normal. This means you’re more likely to scalp the bentgrass when you mow, injuring and weakening it. Bentgrass is more likely to grow tall if you mow your desired turf at the proper height.
Fertilize appropriately
Creeping bentgrass grows well in overfertilized lawns because it needs a lot of nitrogen. So, you’ll need to learn how to fertilize your lawn properly at the right time and with an appropriate amount of fertilizer.
How often should I fertilize my lawn? You want to make around three fertilizer applications annually (or a maximum of four if your lawn needs the nutrients). Making more applications risks creeping bentgrass thriving and injuring your turf.
FAQs about getting rid of creeping bentgrass
Can you dig out creeping bentgrass?
While you can dig out creeping bentgrass, it’s not as effective as using herbicides.
When resorting to mechanical weed control methods, homeowners must ensure they get out all of the creeping bentgrass. Even a small fragment of creeping bentgrass can potentially regrow into a new plant.
Will vinegar kill bentgrass?
While vinegar might look like it kills bentgrass, it won’t be a permanent fix. Vinegar is a non-selective contact herbicide; it will kill the parts it is applied to, but leave the rest untouched. The bentgrass will just regrow.
Should you remove creeping bentgrass in the first place?
Whether you should remove creeping bentgrass depends. It can be an eyesore because it usually sticks out against your lawn. The different care requirements are also mostly incompatible with other types of turfgrass.
If you need help deciding whether to keep your creeping bentgrass or not, read “Pros and Cons of Creeping Bentgrass.”
Let a pro remove creeping bentgrass from your lawn
Creeping bentgrass can be a pain to get rid of because it can regrow if not killed completely. If you want a more decisive victory against this pesky weed, you can hire a professional to do it for you instead.
Lawn Love’s pros have the tools, knowledge, and skills to tackle creeping bentgrass and other lawn weeds. Connecting with a local weed control pro through Lawn Love is easy. And you don’t have to worry about weeds again.
Main Image Credit: Matt Lavin | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
