How to Get Rid of Weeds in Buffalo Grass

Buffalo lawns have always proven a difficult challenge when weeds are established. Most of the herbicides which have been available to kill lawn weeds can often damage or kill Buffalo lawns.

The main reason that weed killers damage Buffalo turf is due to the broadleaf of this grass variety.

Most herbicides will selectively attach themselves only to the broad leaves of plants that many weeds have.

Unfortunately the broad leaf of Buffalo also ‘grabs’ this poison and absorbs it, with the result being either damaging or killing the lawn.

Herbicides to Avoid Using on Buffalo

There are many different types of weed killers for lawns, and choosing the wrong one for Buffalo will obviously have damaging effects.

The main weed killer herbicides to avoid using on Buffalo lawns are most of the Weed and Feed type of poisons, which are either applied in granular form or most often attached to a garden hose and sprayed on.

The next and most effective weed herbicides are those which come in a concentrated liquid form, which are then mixed up in a pressure spraying device and sprayed onto the lawns.

These concentrated liquid form weed killers can have different active ingredients, some of these active ingredients are safe for use on Buffalo, while others are not.

Choosing a Herbicide for Buffalo Grass

The easiest way to choose a herbicide is to first look at the label.

With the risk that some herbicides can damage Buffalo grass, most herbicide manufacturers will clearly label their products as such.

Herbicides should be marked as either Safe or Not To Be Used on Buffalo lawns.

myhomeTURF recommends two types of pre-emergent herbicides – Oxafert and Emergent – both well-respected products of LawnPride Australia.

Oxafert (left) is a combination product containing fertiliser and pre-emergent herbicide for the control of Crowsfoot Grass, Summer Grass, Winter Grass and Oxalis.

Embargo (right) is effective pre-emergent control of certain grass and broadleaf weeds in Buffalo turf. Including Crowsfoot Grass, Summer Grass, Winter Grass, and other grassy weeds.

Ensure you find a herbicide that is marked as safe for Buffalo lawns.