That’s one tough weed! Getting control of the seed bank is crucial. Remove plants before they start to flower and continue to do so every year. Burrs that have dropped in the process of removing the plants should also be removed by raking them up or dragging a piece of burlap over the area to collect them. Avoid spreading them by checking shoes and tools/equipment. Shallow tilling (about an inch deep) of seedling or small plants can be effective for larger areas (do not go deep with the tiller as you could end up burying a lot of seeds). Beyond that, there are two types of weevils that are used as biological control agents. If you are interested in learning how to introduce beneficial insects into your landscape, contact your local extension cooperative to walk you through it. Persistence is key when it comes to puncturevine!
That’s one tough weed! Getting control of the seed bank is crucial. Remove plants before they start to flower and continue to do so every year. Burrs that have dropped in the process of removing the plants should also be removed by raking them up or dragging a piece of burlap over the area to collect them. Avoid spreading them by checking shoes and tools/equipment. Shallow tilling (about an inch deep) of seedling or small plants can be effective for larger areas (do not go deep with the tiller as you could end up burying a lot of seeds). Beyond that, there are two types of weevils that are used as biological control agents. If you are interested in learning how to introduce beneficial insects into your landscape, contact your local extension cooperative to walk you through it. Persistence is key when it comes to puncturevine!