Sandbur Control

Sandbur Control

Most Effective Products

Eraser 41% Glyphosate
Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)
As low as $15.63
Keith's Pro Tips

"We have seen the most success in managing sandbur when cultural, biological and chemical methods are combined and there is a regular lawn maintenance schedule that is kept up with. However even with implementing all of this, it may take several years to bring a problem under control. Yes, it's that stubborn and prickly (literally)."

Sandbur Control: How To Get Rid of Sandbur

Sandbur is a grassy annual weed that is also commonly known as burgrass or Sandspurs. It is a notorious invasive weed that is registered in 46 states as a noxious weed. The plant is part of the Poaceae family and actually looks like normal grass earlier in the year before maturing into the noxious plant we all know and hate.

Sandbur is most common in the southern part of the United States, and in some states like in Washington, DC, and Northern California. Perennial Sandbur, which is the species of sandbur that overwinters, have been discovered in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico and has shown to be difficult to manage.

Although Sandburs are versatile enough to grow in nearly every type of soil, they thrive the most in regions that are dry and sandy, which is why they get their name. The weed germinates in spring, and continues through summer and fall until the first frost kills it off.

If you are encountering Sandbur on your property. Our DIY treatment guide will show you how easy it is to get rid of sandbur from your lawn with the help of our professional herbicide recommendations. Follow the directions below and apply the herbicide recommendations on the side to eliminate sandbur quickly and affordably.

Identification

Sandbur

Before breaking out the herbicides, make sure you correctly identify that the weed you are dealing with is Sandbur. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong herbicide, which will cost you time and money. Here are some descriptive traits on Sandbur that can help you with identification:

  • Sandbur is a grassy annual weed that is also commonly known as burgrass or Sandspur. The plant is part of the Poaceae family and actually looks like normal grass during its early growing phase.
  • By late summer, Sandburs bears burs or spurs that detach and carry seed. These burs are very prickly and can be painful to come into contact with, especially when walking over your grass barefoot.
  • There are different species of sandbur but perhaps the most common of them all are field sandbur, longspine sandbur and southern sandbur.
  • While these species have slight differences in their characteristics, what they all share are seedheads or fruit which are very spiny and are very painful because these spines are sharp enough to prick the skin.
  • Trust us when we say you wouldn't want you or your kids to run across your lawn barefoot if sandbur is present because you'll be in for a world of hurt.
  • Sandbur also commonly grows in sandy, low-fertility sites that go through a lot of stress or drought.

Use our description and image above to help you to identify sandbur on your lawn. If you need help ID'ing you weed, contact us and we will properly ID the plant for you as well as give you the best product recommendations to control the weed.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with Sandburs, proceed with inspection. You will need to pinpoint where the Sandspur is growing so you know where to focus your herbicide treatment.

Where to Inspect

Walk around your yard and observe where the Sandbur is growing. Sandbur grows particularly in areas where the soil is sandy. Determine the size of the infestation and where it is concentrated before proceeding with chemical control.

What To Look For

Sandbur often rears its ugly, spiky seed heads in areas that are going through drought or thinning or are not getting the proper nutrition and attention the turf needs to survive and thrive. With this being the case you may want to focus your inspection around those type of areas as these are where sandbur is typically found.

Treatment

Since Sandbur are an annual to a short-lived perennial, depending on the time of the year it is, you could be either using a pre-emergent herbicide or a post-emergent herbicide to keep the weed under control.

If the Sandspurs are already growing on your property, we recommend treating them with Eraser 41% Glyphosate. This professional-quality herbicide is a non-selective herbicide that will kill all vegetation such as sandburs, but desired foliage as well.

The best time to apply this product is early on in the summer when the plant is young and actively growing as this is the time when they are most vulnerable to herbicides.

Step 1: Mix And Apply Herbicide

Spraying Weed with Cardboard Box Covering

Determine how much Eraser 41% Glyphosate you will need by measuring the square footage of your target area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet then multiply (length X width = square footage).

Apply 2 1/2 oz. (5 tbs) per gallon of water per 300 sq. ft. Fill your sprayer halfway with water, then add measured amount of Eraser 41% Glyphosate, and pour remaining half of water into the spray tank. Close the spray tank lid and shake until solution is evenly mixed.

Spray the sandbur preferably on a fan nozzle spray setting to ensure uniform, even coverage, but not the point of runoff. To avoid spray drift, you can place a carboard box around the weed before spraying with a non-selective herbicide.

Do not mow, cut or otherwise disturb treated sandburs for at least 7 days following application.

Prevention

Once you have gotten rid of Sandspurs from your lawn, you will need to implement some lawn maintenance practices which ensure that Sandspur doesn't make a return. 

  • Correcting nutrient deficiencies with a fertilizer. 
  • Correcting drought stress via regular watering and proper irrigation
  • Selecting a grass that would be competitive on your lawn.

Key Takeaways

What are Sandburs?

  • Sandbur (also commonly called Sandspurs or burgrass) is a common invasive weed in dry, sandy soils and patchy lawns and is known for the seedpod produced by the plant that can stick to clothing and pet fur and prick skin.

How To Get Rid of Sandburs or Sandspurs

  • Our top products to treat Sandbur is Celsius WG for selective control of your lawn. Spot treat the Sandbur using a handpump sprayer and follow-up with another application 7 to 10 days later if needed.

Preventing Sandbur Reinfestation

  • To prevent Sandbur re-infestation, implement a good lawn maintenance routine (mowing, watering, fertilizer) that promotes a thick, healthy stand of grass.
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