How do I eliminate microstegium vimineum from my yard
Answer
Dear Gardener: If you have only a small patch of Stilt Grass, it can be hand pulled as it is shallow rooted and comes up fairly easily. If you pull it up before it goes to seed you will prevent this years seeds from germinating next year. You will have to watch the patch for a few years as there is probably more seed in the soil which will germinate for a few years. However, having written all this, I am sure you don't have a small patch that can be easily hand pulled!!!
You will have to resort to herbicides if you have a large area of the nuisance grass. Round-Up is an herbicide that will kill the Stilt Grass, but it also kills everything else it is sprayed on, so use with care. Also, if you are in a wetland area, you should use Rodeo, which is safer for amphibians that might be in the wetlands. There are two other herbicides which are more grass specific: Grass Out and Grass-B-Gon which are less lethal to non-grass plants that might be in the area where you are working.