Knowledgebase
Bermuda Grass Control #921369
Asked November 04, 2025, 10:20 AM EST
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
In the future, if the bermudagrass reappears, to reduce the amount of herbicide needed, the weeds can be physically removed (as much as is possible) and what regrows can be spot-treated with systemic, so there is less overall area to spray/treat. Removing the weed's foliage in this way will also limit its ability to regrow as vigorously, which should make applications more effective. Even so, one or more follow-up applications may still be needed. To avoid herbicide use instead, the bermudagrass would need to be manually removed as thoroughly and promptly (each time it resprouts) as possible. Over time, this will weaken the plant and cause it to die out, since quick and thorough removal prevents the plant from rebuilding root energy reserves for growth, like depleting a battery that isn't able to recharge.
If the landscapers used a contact-type herbicide (one that only kills the above-ground tissues, and is not moved into roots like a systemic herbicide is), then the native plants might regrow in spring. Otherwise, they unfortunately may need to be replaced if the application was a systemic. A licensed pesticide applicator should provide information about exactly what was applied when asked, both the product details (active ingredient(s), or at least product trade name) and a copy of the label information if desired.
For now, any bermudagrass that may be regrowing can be manually removed to weaken it further, and then you'll probably need to wait until spring to see how the plantings (and any remaining pieces of bermudagrass) have fared, since it's getting late to make any additional systemic herbicide applications. You likely don't need to worry about replanting in spring since residue from the application that may have seeped into the soil (depending on how heavily they sprayed) should have degraded or bound tightly to the soil well enough that it won't affect the new plants.
Miri