How can you kill or get rid of bamboo in your yard?

When I moved in this house three years ago, there was a small patch of bamboo growing in a corner of the back fence. Not only has it spread quite a bit but new growth shoots are coming up in the surrounding yard, even on the other side of the fence, and they are single stalks that start out very small and within a week are at least 8 - 9 feet tall and they have a tan or khaki stalk . You cannot pull them up and if you cut them off there is a "stump" in the yard that is very hard and sharp. I want all of it GONE. What is the answer? Preferably something non-poisonous as I have a dog that has to go outside in that yard. Thanks.
  3 answers
  • Judy Ferrell Judy Ferrell on Apr 30, 2017

    The only thing I can think of might be to cut them back and cover with black plastic. This will cook them and MIGHT get rid of them. Bamboo is, in some cases, very invasive. It is also very hard to get rid of.

    • See 1 previous
    • Judy Ferrell Judy Ferrell on Apr 30, 2017

      Probably but the root system is what you have to kill and it can be as much as 5 to 10 feet from the patch or maybe more.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 30, 2017

    Bamboo is very difficult to remove.Cut it back as far down to the ground as possible and use rock salt providing there is nothing else around that will be killed off.

    • Phyllis Kirchner Autrey Phyllis Kirchner Autrey on Apr 30, 2017

      Thank you, Janet. The original patch of this has nothing around it that can be killed, but these new tall shoots coming up are in the yard in the grass. I guess killing off a little grass would be worth getting rid of the bamboo. You can always reseed the grass.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 30, 2017

    I have the bamboo as well ,not knowing what I know now planting it 20 something years ago we just mow over the shoots in the lawn.