Beggarweed Control: How to Get Rid of Beggarweed

Beggarweed, also commonly known as Creeping Beggarweed, is a perennial broadleaf weed that grows low to the ground and stands out with three leaflets which attach to a main stem. The weed has been found mainly in the southern part of the United States with Texas and Florida being the states that have the largest problem with this plant invading landscapes.

Beggarweed rears its ugly head in the spring and becomes prominent in the summer which is when mainly lawn owners become frustrated with keeping it under control. Pulling or digging out the plant is ineffective and some have even labeled the plant as the "unkillable weed" because of the resistance it shows against your average broadleaf herbicide.

If you are dealing with pesky Beggarweed, our step-by-step DIY guide will show you exactly how to get rid of Beggarweed quickly and save money doing it with the help of our professional quality herbicides.

Identification

Before carrying out a treatment program, you will need to first be certain that you are dealing with Creeping Beggarweed and not some other weed. Careless identification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods which can be a waste of time and money.

• Many Beggarweeds grow prostrate or along the ground up to 8 inches from the base, but some species can also grow upright up to 6 feet in height.
• The leaves grow in a trifoliate shape, meaning each leaf is divided into three leaflets. Depending on the species, the leaflets range from short and heart-shaped to up to 4 inches in length and ovular or lance-shaped.
• The flowers can range in color from white to violet. When seed pods form, you can see each of the several seeds individually encased within the pod.

Use the above description and image to aid you in identifying the invasive plant on your landscape as beggarweed. If you are unsure, you can always contact us and our lawn care experts will help to correctly identify the plant you have as well as offer personalized control suggestions.

Inspection

After you have confirmed that you are dealing with Beggarweed, you can then move on to inspection. During this phase, you will locate areas where Creeping Beggarweed is thriving and observe the conditions that are allowing it to thrive. This information will help you in knowing where to focus your herbicide application.

Where to Inspect

Beggarweed can be found on residential or commercial properties growing in open lawns, roadsides, pastures, and other disturbed areas. This plant grows well in dry areas that see full sunlight throughout the day.

What to Look For

Look for the Creeping beggarweed plant and see where they are concentrated. You will notice its large dark green leaflets and how it creeps along the ground. Large infestations of beggarweed will really stand out as they create almost a mat of sorts.

When inspecting your property, take note of where beggarweed is growing and how far along the life cycle the plants are, as you’ll use this information to direct your treatment.

Treatment

Creeping Bеggаrwееd саn bе a tough wееd tо control uѕіng cultural mеthоdѕ, lаrgеlу due tо thе fасt thаt thе lаrgе tарrооt mаkеѕ hаnd-рullіng difficult. Beggarweed seedpods are easily dіѕruрtеd аnd hаnd-рullіng can rеѕult іn ѕрrеаdіng thеm in your lawn. Addіtіоnаllу, thе wееd саn withstand mowing at a low height and will keep coming back.

Due to the plant’s large taproot, manual removal is often not enough to eliminate a beggarweed infestation. It’s easy for a small piece of the taproot to break off and remain in the soil, resulting in the plant growing back. 

To eliminate beggarweed from your lawn, the best method of control is to use a post-emergent herbicide that’s labeled not to injure your turfgrass. In warm-season lawns, we recommend Fahrenheit Herbicide.

Step 1 - Mix and Apply Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit is a Dicamba and Metsulfuron-methyl based water soluble granule that delivers broad-spectrum control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds in commercial and residential properties. 

Determine how much Fahrenheit Herbicide to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area in feet then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). For spot applications, mix 0.2 ounces of the product per 1 gallon of water to apply over 1,000 square feet.

Keep in mind this product is only labeled to control creeping beggarweed and Florida beggarweed. When making applications over St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, or Zoysiagrass, temporary stunting or chlorosis may occur.

Mix and apply your herbicide with a handheld pump sprayer. We recommend you use a surfactant like Nanotek to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment. Nanotek is a non-herbicide product designed to improve the adhesion and penetration of pesticides onto treated surfaces. When using Nanotek, just add 1 fluid ounce per 1 gallon of solution.

Spot-treat any beggarweed plant you’ve found during your inspection. Use a fan or cone spray pattern to ensure the leaves are fully coated, and spray the weed to the point of wet but not runoff. Be sure to spray on calm days when temperatures are not too hot and when wind speeds are low to minimize drift.

Step 2 - Follow Up Application

When applied properly, affected weeds will yellow and begin to die. A follow-up application may be necessary if signs of recovery are observed, especially if the plant’s taproot is still alive. Reapplication intervals with Fahrenheit range from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the site of application.

Applications are most effective when plants are newly emerged before bud formation.

Prevention

Once beggarweed has been eliminated from your property, you will need to implement some preventative measures to ensure it does not return.

• One of the best ways to control beggarweed after it’s been eliminated from your property is to mow your grass at proper intervals to maintain a thick growing density. A lawn dense with taller trimmed grass is better able to choke out weeds and prevent them from establishment.
• We also recommend promoting the health of your turf to reduce the conducive conditions that allow weeds and disease to take hold. Reduce the shade cast on your lawn by trimming overgrown shrubbery and tree branches, rake away leaf litter and pick up any debris, and employ a proper watering schedule to provide the local grass with enough water to strengthen its roots, but not so much that will encourage weeds. Many grasses require 1 inch of water every week. Apply the water all at once in the morning so it has time to seep into the ground without evaporating in the sun.

Key Takeaways

What is Beggarweed?

• Beggarweed (also called Creeping Beggarweed) is a perennial broadleaf weed with a large taproot and deep rhizomes that can be difficult to control and frustrates lawn owners because mowing and hand-pulling is ineffective against it.

How to Get Rid of Creeping Beggarweed

• We recommend Fahrenheit Herbicide as it has demonstrated excellent control of Beggarweed. Mix well and spot treat, being careful not to get chemicals on desired plants.

Preventing Beggarweed Reinfestation

• Prevent Beggarweed from coming back with regular lawn care maintenance (fertilizing, mowing, watering).