Some people think of bamboo as an unstoppable force that will invade and dominate. In our climate this is not true. Bamboo requires summer precipitation and humidity during its growing season to thrive so the easiest way to stop it is to cut off its water supply.
Our climate allows you to increase growth with generous watering and fertilizer or stop it by withholding summer irrigation. Some bamboo species will die during our dry summers if not watered, especially those growing on hot, south facing hillsides and under thirsty evergreen trees.
One way to eradicate an unwanted bamboo grove is to cut it to ground level repeatedly (new shoots will emerge and need removal) until it is exhausted and dies. This can take three years or more. A faster method, if permitted in your area, is to apply a systematic herbicide such as Roundup to the foliage when the bamboo is actively growing, wait a month, and then cut it to ground level. A few shoots may emerge later - reapply the herbicide and repeat the process. Finally, complete removal of root systems can be labour intensive, but it is fast if you are thorough.
To sum up, the following will kill or damage bamboo:
1. Flooded, saturated soil can kill in a few months depending on soil type and bamboo species.
2. Lack of irrigation and dry soil. (This may take a series of dry summers.)
3. Systemic herbicides (such as Roundup).
4. Repeated cutting to ground level.
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