Microstegium vimineum (Stiltgrass) Control

Pulang ---> Microstegium vimineum --> Control

Behavioral/cultural, mechanical and chemical methods to try to control Microstegium vimineum (Stiltgrass).

Behavioral and Cultural Controls

It has long been determined that the best way to control an invasive grass is to prevent it from taking hold in the first place. In rangelands, perennial bunchgrasses are the best defence against the encroachment of invasive annual grasses like Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) and Taenitherium caput-medusae (medusahead grass). The same method can be used in lawns and small landscapes. Keep your lawn thick and healthy, and it'll e much harder for M. vimineum to establish itself.

In order to prevent the spread of M. vimineum, make sure to mow the grass before the production of flowerheads. But be aware that regular mowing results in the invasive grass simply flowering below the level of the mower.

If M. vimineum flowers and seeds, then make sure not to spread the seeds some more. Bag grass clippings and store in containers that prevent the further spread of the invasive grass seeds before disposal.

Mechanical Control

Hand pulling or using some tool such as a hoe to physically remove stiltgrass is possible, as it typically is very shallow rooted. The one caveat to doing this is that you need to pull it out before the grass flowers or sets seed. This way you avoid spreading the seeds yourself.

Chemical Control

Stiltgrass is an annual plant, and so therefore the same preemergence herbicides that are used for other annual grasses such as crabgras will also work on it.

Post emergence herbicides such as Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra/Bayer Crabgrass Killer for Lawns) that are specific towards annual grasses can also be used on stiltgrass.

Penulis: A. Sunjian