Selective Herbicides Safe for Bermudagrass Lawns (2026 EPA Label Guide)
Agronomic Safety Summary for Bermudagrass
Actively growing Bermudagrass tolerates Celsius WG, Certainty (Sulfosulfuron), Quinclorac (Drive XLR8), SpeedZone, SedgeHammer+, and Image Kills Nutsedge at temperatures up to 90°F.
Do NOT spray Mesotrione (Tenacity), Topramezone (Pylex), or Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra) on actively growing Bermudagrass—they bleach and stunt stolons. High rates of Triclopyr (TZone SE) also risk severe turf suppression.
1. Herbicides Labeled SAFE for Broadcast Application on Bermudagrass
| Brand Name & EPA Reg. | Active Ingredient & Group | Safe Temp Range (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Notes | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive XLR8 EPA Reg. 7969-272 |
Quinclorac 18.92% Group 4 (Synthetic Auxin / Quinoline Carboxylic Acid) |
60°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Requires Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) surfactant at 1.5 tbsp (0.75 fl oz) per gallon of water for effective cuticle penetration on multi-tiller crabgrass. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| SedgeHammer+ EPA Reg. 81880-24-10163 |
Halosulfuron-methyl 5% Group 2 (ALS Inhibitor / Sulfonylurea) |
60°F – 90°F Rainfast: 4h |
SedgeHammer+ single-scoop pouches already contain a built-in non-ionic surfactant. If using bulk SedgeHammer 75WG, add 2 tsp NIS per gallon. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer EPA Reg. 2217-833 |
2,4-D 28.57%, Mecoprop-p 5.88%, Dicamba 1.71%, Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62% Group 4 + Group 14 (Synthetic Auxins + PPO Inhibitor) |
50°F – 85°F Rainfast: 3h |
Do NOT add surfactant. Adding NIS or MSO increases ester volatility and causes severe contact burn on desirable cool-season turf. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Celsius WG EPA Reg. 432-1507 |
Thiencarbazone-methyl 8.7%, Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 1.9%, Dicamba 57.4% Group 2 + Group 4 (ALS Inhibitors + Benzoic Acid Auxin) |
65°F – 95°F Rainfast: 4h |
Apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp per gallon of water. Specifically engineered not to stunt warm-season turf during summer heat up to 95°F. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Certainty Turf Herbicide EPA Reg. 59639-138 |
Sulfosulfuron 75% Group 2 (ALS Inhibitor / Sulfonylurea) |
60°F – 90°F Rainfast: 3h |
Mandatory Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp (0.25% v/v) per gallon of water. Frequently tank-mixed with Celsius WG for complete southern weed control. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Image Kills Nutsedge EPA Reg. 228-719 |
Imazaquin 3.3% Group 2 (ALS Inhibitor / Imidazolinone) |
65°F – 90°F Rainfast: 6h |
Ready-to-mix liquid formulation contains surfactant; additional NIS is not required for standard broadcast or spot treatments. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) EPA Reg. 100-1139 |
Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG) Group 3 (Microtubule Assembly Inhibitor / Dinitroaniline) |
45°F – 90°F Rainfast: 0h |
Pre-emergent soil barrier: do NOT use foliar surfactant. Must be watered in with 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall within 14 days of application to activate. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
2. Conditional / Restricted Herbicides for Bermudagrass (Use With Caution)
| Herbicide | Active Ingredient | Restriction Status | Agronomic Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity | Mesotrione 40% | AVOID ACTIVELY GROWING | Always apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of water for post-emergent applications. Causes temporary white bleaching on susceptible weeds and turf tips. |
| TZone SE | Triclopyr 7.72%, 2,4-D 29.36%, Dicamba 2.22%, Sulfentrazone 0.66% | DAMAGE RISK | Do NOT mix with surfactant when temperatures exceed 75°F. In cool spring or fall conditions (55°F–70°F), 0.5 tsp NIS per gallon improves waxy leaf penetration on Wild Violet. |
| Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer | Atrazine 40.8% | DORMANT ONLY | Do NOT add surfactant when spraying actively growing St. Augustine or Centipede above 80°F to avoid foliar yellowing. Irrigate lightly within 48 hours for root uptake. |
3. Herbicides to AVOID on Bermudagrass (High Risk of Lawn Death)
Do Not Broadcast Spray These Active Ingredients on Bermudagrass
- Acclaim Extra (Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 6.59%): Labeled
AVOIDon Bermudagrass due to severe foliar chlorosis, stolon stunting, or permanent turf loss. - Pylex Herbicide (Topramezone 29.7%): Labeled
AVOIDon Bermudagrass due to severe foliar chlorosis, stolon stunting, or permanent turf loss.