How to Kill Sandburs

How to Kill Sandburs thumbnail
Pre-emergent herbicides can kill sandburs before they germinate.

The field and southern sandbur are annual weeds that occur throughout the southern United States. Outbreaks of sandburs usually occur in the summer in various landscapes, though they especially thrive in dry, sandy soil. Sandburs have sharp, spiky hair and can attach to clothes and irritate your skin. But with the proper application of pre-emergent, granular herbicide, you can kill and control sandburs in your yard. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Soil thermometer
  • Pre-emergent herbicide
  • Fertilizer spreader
  • Water hose
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the temperature of the soil -- not the air. You cannot effectively apply a pre-emergent herbicide that will control sandburs until the soil temperature is 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Remove and discard any excess leaves, lawn clippings or other debris from the lawn.

    • 3

      Fill a fertilizer spreader with pre-emergent granular herbicide. The herbicide brand name that you chose is up to you, as long as it contains the chemical oryzalin, benefin or pendimethalin. Only use the amount recommended on the herbicide label and follow the label instructions carefully.

    • 4

      Spread half of the herbicide in one direction and spread the remaining half at right angles to the first application of the herbicide.

    • 5

      Water the lawn immediately and make sure the ground is completely soaked. This is the only way to ensure the herbicide will work effectively to deter the weeds from growing.

    • 6

      Reapply the herbicide every six weeks until September.

Tips & Warnings

  • Sandburs do not usually occur in well-maintained grass and turf, so if you take good care of your lawn with proper watering, fertilizing and mowing, you should be able to prevent most sandburs from appearing.

  • Follow the instructions carefully on the herbicide label. Excessive application or incorrect application can damage or kill other plants in your landscape and it can harm pets and small children as well.

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References

  • Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

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