Star of Bethlehem Control: How To Get Rid of Star of Bethlehem

This page is a general DIY guide for controlling the star of Bethlehem. Using the recommended products and methods, you can control the star of Bethlehem. Follow this DIY article and use the recommended products, and we guarantee 100% control of the star of Bethlehem.

The star of Bethlehem, also called the garden star-of-Bethlehem, summer snowflake, grass lily, nap-at-noon, or eleven-o'clock lady, is native to Europe and is now a common invader in the United States. Its pleasant appearance and flowers make some lawn owners not regard the star of Bethlehem as a weed, even though all parts of the plant are toxic. Because of that, they should be removed immediately from lawns once they have emerged.

The way the star of Bethlehem spreads is through underground bulbs, which can each easily produce seven new bulbs annually. This makes it very easy for the weed to quickly take over your lawn if nothing is done to control it. Small clumps of leaves appear mid-spring and continue to grow into late spring when flowers are produced.

The star of Bethlehem is a potential threat to native vegetation. It can form dense stands along the edges of rivers and streams, traveling rapidly downstream to new locations. When it grows on pastures, the star of Bethlehem is poisonous to livestock and children who frolic around it and are curious enough to taste it.

If the star of Bethlehem is growing on your property, our DIY treatment guide can help. Our lawn care experts developed the guide below, which will show you how to remove this weed from your lawn with our professional herbicide recommendations. Follow the step-by-step instructions, and you will be guaranteed to eliminate the star of Bethlehem weeds easily.

Identification

Before you can carry out a weed control program, you need to correctly identify the plant and ensure you're dealing with the star of Bethlehem weed and not some other weed. Below are some traits to help you know what star of Bethlehem looks like for proper identification.

• Star of Bethlehem is an herbaceous perennial invasive weed easily identified by its six white, star-shaped petals that bloom in late spring. Together, these petals resemble a star, hence its name. Usually, they will reach about one foot in height. 
• When growing, the plant’s leaves look like wild garlic but have a distinct white midrib and no garlic odor. They are also shiny and pale to dark green in color. These leaves only grow to about half the height of wild garlic leaves, 4 to 12 inches long and up to 6 millimeters wide.
• Like wild garlic and onions, the star of Bethlehem plants grow from bulbs. These oval-shaped white bulbs are buried deep into the soil, allowing the star of Bethlehem to overwinter and bloom next spring. Smaller bullets will spread from the parent bulb, allowing this plant to increase in population. Remember, all parts of the star of Bethlehem are toxic and should never be consumed.

Use our description and image above to help you identify the star of Bethlehem on your lawn. If you are having trouble with identification, contact us, and we will properly identify the plant for you and give you the best product recommendations to control the weed you have.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that the weed you are dealing with is the star of Bethlehem, you can proceed with the inspection. In this phase, you will need to determine where the star of Bethlehem is growing and what conditions are helping the weed to thrive. This will also help you to determine where to focus your herbicide application.

Where to Inspect

Star of Bethlehem grows in moist, wet soil exposed to full sun or light shade.  

It is commonly found in meadows, fields, forest edges, waste ground, streambanks, drainage ditches, planting beds, and lawns. 

What To Look For

Star of Bethlehem will grow in tufts from April to June. Typically, it will complete its life cycle and be fully grown by the end of May. 

Treatment

Before performing an herbicide application, be sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, a mask, protective eyewear, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved pants, and closed-toed shoes with socks.

Herbicides containing sulfentrazone, carfentrazone, or 2,4-D are the most effective against star of Bethlehem. 

SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide is a selective, post-emergent herbicide that will remove over 90 different weeds, including the star of Bethlehem, without harming cool-seasoned and warm-seasoned turf. 

Step 1: Mix and Apply SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide

Determine how much SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide you will need by measuring the square footage of your treatment area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet, then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). For acreage, divide the square footage by one acre (square footage / 43,560 sq. ft. = acres).

We recommend using spot treatments with a handheld pump sprayer or a backpack sprayer for easier weed control. 

For spot treatments in cool-seasoned turf, mix 1.1 to 1.8 fl. oz. of SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide in 1 gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft. 

For spot treatments in warm-seasoned turf, apply 0.75 to 1.5 fl. oz. of product per 1 gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft.

Use the lower rates for warm-seasoned when temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Otherwise, use the highest application rate for the best results against this weed. 

Fill the sprayer with half the water, add the proper amount of SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide, and pour in the remaining half. Shake the spray tank until well-mixed.

Once mixed, adjust the sprayer nozzle to a fan nozzle setting to get a nice, even coating on the weed. Spray the top and bottom of the weed leaves until wet, but not to the point of runoff. 

Step 2: Reapply if Needed

If needed, a second application can be made 30 days after the first treatment. The maximum number of broadcast and spot treatments is 2 per year. 

Delay mowing 1 to 2 days before and after the application of this product. 

Rainfall or irrigation occurring within 3 to 4 hours after application of this product may reduce the effectiveness.

Prevention

After the star of Bethlehem has been successfully eliminated from your property, you will have to ensure the conditions do not allow it to return. Since the star of Bethlehem grows from bulbs, pre-emergents will not work to prevent it. Most pre-emergents only control seeds. However, there are other preventative strategies you can follow to reduce conditions needed for this weed to grow: 

• The most effective way of preventing the star of Bethlehem is to dig out each bulb with a gardening trowel or a garden hoe as soon as they emerge. Pulling by hand is not recommended because any part of the plant left in the soil can start a new infestation. 
• Mowing can help prevent this weed from spreading by removing the flowers and leaves. However, this alone is not enough to control this weed, as the bulb in the ground will still need to be removed. 
• Conducting good cultural practices for your lawn, such as watering and fertilization, will promote a thick, lush lawn that will outcompete the Star of Bethlehem and make it difficult for this weed to return. Adjust watering to deliver no more than 1 inch of irrigation once per week, and fertilize at the start of each season with the proper seasonal product. 

Key Takeaways

What is the Star of Bethlehem?

• Star of Bethlehem is an invasive weed known for its pretty-looking, white, six-petaled flower and its toxic qualities.

How to Get Rid of Star of Bethlehem

• Our top product to treat the Star of Bethlehem is SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide.

Preventing Star of Bethlehem Re-emergence

• To prevent the return of the star of Bethlehem, remove the bulb from the dirt completely with a gardening tool. Implement a proper lawn maintenance program with regular watering, fertilization, and mowing.