Make every effort to remove growing weeds from the bed before planting. Weeds that develop after buffalograss has been seeded should be eliminated as quickly as possible to minimize competition. Weeds that are taller than buffalograss seedlings should be mowed at a 2-3 inch height. Hand weeding is effective in establishing smaller buffalograss stands. The fertility and irrigation required for successful buffalograss establishment also promotes the more aggressive weed species.
Limited information is available on herbicide safety of newly planted buffalograss.
Do not apply any herbicides until the planting has been mowed twice at the recommended mowing frequency. Turfgrass Weed Prevention and Management for more information. This may be because established buffalograss usually harbors many beneficial insects which naturally control pest populations. These natural enemies include big-eyed bugs, syrphid flies, lady beetles, predatory mites and several species of parasitic wasps. There are no insecticides registered to control mealybugs, chinch bugs or webworms on buffalograss.