How to Get Rid of Toad Rush in Your Lawn

Toad Rush is a member of the Juncaceae family, almost all of which appear as grassy weeds with thin, upright tufts of green, hair-like stems. Toad Rush won’t typically grow much taller than 30cm, and will stay lower in cultivated (regularly mowed) turf.

 Geographically, Toad Rush is widespread throughout temperate regions of Australia, especially in coastal and low-lying inland areas with high rainfall or excessive irrigation. It thrives in compacted, poor draining soils, making it a common sight in areas where water tends to pool or linger after rain.

 Toad Rush will grow in any grass where the conditions are favourable, meaning it can be present in Buffalo, Zoysia, Kikuyu, Couch and Bermuda.

Toad Rush is commonly found in damp, poorly drained lawns. It germinates quickly in the cooler, wetter months—typically Autumn through early Spring—making it one of the first weeds to establish as the weather changes.

It spreads easily via seed, which can be transferred by wind, water runoff, lawnmowers, pets or even on the soles of shoes. They can remain viable in the soil for up to ten years, making it important to run a disciplined pre-emergent herbicide regime. 

With a short lifecycle and prolific seed production, it can colonise open turf quickly if left unchecked.

Manual Removal

Manual removal is possible for small infestations. Due to its shallow, fibrous root system, Toad Rush can be hand-pulled relatively easily when the soil is moist. However, because of its seed bank and rapid spread, this method is rarely effective on its own for larger lawns.

Using Herbicides

For lawns, the most effective control typically involves chemical intervention. Selective post-emergent herbicides containing active ingredients like MCPA or Bromoxynil (though the latter will need to be applied by an accredited professional) are effective against Toad Rush and safe for most common Australian turf types when applied according to the label.

Contra M Duo is recommended by the team at Lawn Pride to control Toad Rush thanks to the MCPA active ingredient, however the Dicamba in this product means it’s not safe to blanket spray on Buffalo or Queensland Blue Couch lawns. However, Contra M Duo can be blanket sprayed on all other common warm season Australian turf varieties.

It’s encouraged to apply herbicides with a surfactant like Wetter 600 to promote adhesion to the leaf and improve the first round knock down.

When using chemical treatments, always follow manufacturer instructions when it comes to necessary protective equipment and safe re-entry times for humans and animals. Apply on a dry day with minimal wind to prevent drift onto desirable grasses.

Natural Remedies

Improving drainage and reducing excess watering are key cultural strategies to make your lawn less inviting to this moisture-loving weed. Aerating compacted soil, topdressing with sand-based loam, and encouraging healthy turf coverage are all proactive steps to crowd out Toad Rush naturally.

To prevent Toad Rush from returning, applying a high-quality pre-emergent herbicide is a proactive solution. Pre-emergents work by creating a barrier in the soil that inhibits seed germination, effectively stopping weeds before they establish.

A good pre-emergent herbicide, such as those containing Prodiamine (such as Spartan in liquid form, or Onset GR in granular form) or Oxadiazon (like Echelon Duo or Oxafert), offers up to six months of protection against a broad range of invasive weeds.

This long-term approach not only reduces the need for repeated manual or chemical interventions but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient lawn with less pressure from invasive weeds.

Whether you’re looking for a quality pre-emergent to minimise the risk of Toad Rush invading your much-loved lawn, or you need a post-emergent herbicide to control a Toad Rush outbreak, you’ll find all the supplements and chemicals you need to keep your grass in top shape at the myhomeTURF Online Shop; home to hundreds of market-leading products that ship Australia-wide.