How to Get Rid of Buffalo Grass

The lush, blue-green look of buffalo grass makes it a prime candidate for lawns. The very characteristics that make it a desirable lawn species--buffalo grass grows quickly and is tolerant against drought and low soil quality--may also make it a pest if it begins growing in areas where you don't want it to grow. Take these steps to kill buffalo grass and manage what is growing in your lawn and garden.

Spade

Sod cutter

Glyphosate-based herbicide

Plastic tarp

Rocks or bricks

Blow torch

Dig out the buffalo grass. Use a sharp spade to remove small patches of buffalo grass, or dig out larger patches with a sod cutter. Replant the removed buffalo grass in a different area or leave it out in the sun to dry it and kill it.

Spray the buffalo grass with a glyphosate-based herbicide, available for purchase from most nurseries and garden stores. This is best for removing large areas of buffalo grass in the least labor-intensive manner possible. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum chemical that kills all types of vegetation so be careful when using it and read the product's instructions carefully.

Cover the buffalo grass with a plastic tarp, weighed down at the edges with rocks or bricks. This is an alternative to herbicides for killing large areas of buffalo grass. The tarp will insulate heat from the sun and kill all the buffalo grass beneath it within two to three months.

Burn the buffalo grass with a blow torch. This is ideal for sprigs of buffalo grass that are growing in non-flammable substrate or between cracks in your walkway or driveway. Direct the blow torch's flame at the plant until it wilts and turns black.

Avoid spraying herbicide on buffalo grass that you don't want to remove, as well as any other desirable plants or shrubs. The herbicide is non-selective and will kill any plant on which it's sprayed.