We present a few management tactics to try on our Containing and Removing Bamboo web page. Systemic herbicide can work, but might take multiple applications (following any product label directions about the interval to wait between treatments), potentially across several years, in order to eradicate a well-established patch. As the page above notes, a combination of strategies like physically removing as much growth (above and below-ground) as possible first, then treating resprouts with herbicide, is likely going to be the most effective approach, even if more labor-intensive than herbicide alone. It also has the advantage of reducing the amount of herbicide needed overall.

The specific herbicide you mention contains both glyphosate (systemic) and diquat (not systemic) as active ingredients. You probably want to avoid a product containing a non-systemic ingredient because it might kill the foliage (or whatever above-ground plant part that is sprayed) before that treatment has a chance to move the systemic ingredient down into roots. (Non-systemic herbicides are contact-only, so only kill the portions of the plant touched by the chemical. They do not move into the plant and travel into the roots, like a systemic ingredient does.) You don't want anything to interfere with that systemic absorption, or potentially the root-killing component of a mixed product won't work very well. You don't want fast results, you want effective results, and dieback from glyphosate or another systemic ingredient alone might take longer to visually appear, but it will be a more complete treatment each time it's used.

Miri