Star Of Bethlehem Control

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Star Of Bethlehem Control

Star Of Bethlehem Control

Most Effective Products

SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide
Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)
As low as $111.95
Keith's Pro Tips

"If the Star of Bethlehem happens to resist the recommended selective herbicides on your lawn, your best bet is using RoundUp or Glyphosate, which is a non-selective weed killer. Glyphosate is certain to eliminate Star of Bethlehem and get to the bulbs beneath the soil which is the main culprit to eradicate, but will also kill any plants the weed is growing near."

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

The Star of Bethlehem 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 at all despite the fact that 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 making it very easy for the weed to quickly take over your lawn if nothing is done to control them. 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. Star of Bethlehem is poisonous to livestock when it grows on pastures, as well as to children who frolic around the plant and are curious enough to taste it.

If Star of Bethlehem is growing on your property, our DIY treatment guide can help. The following guide below was developed by our lawn care experts and will show what you need to do to remove this weed from your lawn with the help of our professional herbicide recommendations. Follow the step-by-step instructions and you are guaranteed to eliminate Star of Bethlehem quickly and affordably.

Identification

Star of Bethlehem

Before you can carry out a weed control program, you need to first correctly identify the plant and make sure 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 a perennial invasive weed that is easily identified by its distinguishing white, star-shaped petals that bloom in late spring.
  • Star Of Bethlehem can be confused with St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass but is most often confused with wild onion or wild garlic since it similarly develops from bulbs.
  • The main distinguishing difference with Star of Bethlehem is that it doesn't have the same garlicky oniony odor of those weeds.
  • Star of Bethlehem leaves are shiny, dark green, and have a unique white midrib. Leaves vary between 4 to 12 inches long, 2 to 6 mm wide, and are hollow in cross-section.
  • The other easily identifiable trait of Star of Bethlehem is its flower which is made up of 6 white petals which together resemble a star.

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

Inspection

Inspection for Star of Bethlehem

Once you have confirmed that the weed you are dealing with is the Star of Bethlehem, you can proceed with inspection. In this phase, you will need to determine where the Star of Bethlehem is growing and what the conditions are that 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 clumps and clusters on lawns and landscapes and prefers areas where there is full sun and moist soil. Growth occurs during the spring and by mid-summer, the foliage begins to wither away. Some of the areas where this plant is most common are in cemetery prairies, grassy meadows, sunny or semi-shaded banks of streams and drainage ditches, and miscellaneous waste areas.

This species is usually found in sites that have not been maintained well and have degraded, although it can invade high-quality natural habitats and outcompete native species of plants that bloom during the spring.

What To Look For

If you have Star of Bethlehem on your property, you can't miss it due to its distinct appearance. Look for it flowers which have six white petals surrounding a round, slightly protruding center.

Treatment

We recommend treating Star of Bethlehem with SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide. This product has shown to work well against Star of Bethlehem and is a selective herbicide, meaning it will spare your desired grass and just kill the invading weed.

Make sure before mixing and spraying you put on the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, protective eyewear, and long-sleeved clothing. Prior to application cease mowing for 1 to 2 days.

Step 1: Apply SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide

Spraying 2,4-D

Determine how much SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide you will need by measuring the square footage of your lawn. To do this, measure and multiply the area length and width (length x width = square footage.)

For spot treating cool-seasoned lawns, the label says to use 1.1 to 1.8 oz. of product per 1 gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft. For warm-seasoned lawns, apply 0.75 to 1.5 oz. of product per 1 gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft. Based on your measurements and calculations, add the appropriate amount of SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide into a hand-pump sprayer with water and agitate the spray tank to mix the product well.

Once mixed, apply the mixture to the Star of Bethlehem plants. Use a fan nozzle setting on your sprayer while applying to get a nice even coating on the weed.

Mow before applying the post-emergent to improve uptake of the chemical. After application, mowing should be delayed 1 to 2 days to give the herbicide time to work.

Prevention

Mowing grass

After the Star Of Bethlehem has been successfully eliminated from your turf, you will have to make sure the conditions do not allow for it to return. The best way to do this is by keeping your turf healthy, well-maintained and nutrient-rich.

  • Mowing infrequently, allowing more shade and not over-watering can help.
  • Conducting good cultural practices to your lawn will promote a thick, lush lawn that will outcompete Star of Bethlehem and make it difficult for Star of Bethlehem to return, grow and establish new seeds.

Key Takeaways

What is the Star of Bethlehem?

  • Star of Bethlehem is a very invasive weed that is 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 Star of Bethlehem is SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide.

Preventing Star of Bethlehem Re-emergence

  • To prevent a return of the weed, implement a solid lawn maintenance routine (mowing, watering, fertilizer) that promotes a thick, healthy turf.

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