Asked on Oct 16, 2015

How to get rid of grass burrs and stickers

Donna Shaw
by Donna Shaw
We moved out in the country, our yard is full of grass burrs and stickers. I have sprayed and pulled all summer, I can get rid of the ones constantly coming up but how do I get rid of the loose ones laying everywhere? We have some native grass. My poor dogs can't even go out without getting their little paws full of stickers!! We have about 2 acres of solid stickers, ugh help!!!
  14 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 16, 2015
    What did you spray this with?
    • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Oct 16, 2015
      Roundup and also weed killer, I can kill them but its the loose ones I cant get rid of they are everywhere!! we walk across the yard and bottoms of shoes are covered. Imagine my poor fur babies paws when they go outside to potty ugh!! @
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 16, 2015
    I am so sorry for those babies and you.The only other thing I can think of even though it will be alot of work, is to have the lawn thatched and professionly raked.
  • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Oct 16, 2015
    Thanks Janet!
  • Janie Edwards Janie Edwards on Oct 17, 2015
    Check with your local extension service on the right time to apply Atrazine. It should help.
  • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Oct 17, 2015
    thanks Janie!
  • Peggy Biesinger Peggy Biesinger on Oct 17, 2015
    Check to see if your town allows burning and if they specify a time of year it can be done. This way you can burn of the stickers/seeds and have less of a weed problem next year. Use a flame thrower and sweep it across the bare ground.
  • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Oct 17, 2015
    that sounds like a great idea and I could get rid of the loose ones already on the ground. that's the problem, I can kill the ones coming up and don't know how to get rid of the ones that have fallen off already. but was worried about burning since it would be so close to my house and several out buildings. Burning is allowed as long as we aren't under a burn ban from drought. thanks Peggy!!
    • Psellers Psellers on Oct 18, 2015
      @Thinking of some kind of vacuum (shopvac) that would have a wide nozzle...at least to do the nearby areas....maybe not the full 2 acres. Some blowers have the ability to vacuum into a bag of some sort.
  • Christina Dorrego Christina Dorrego on Oct 18, 2015
    For me, I pull them before they become dry. Over several years I have eliminated them from my 1 acre. I don't like using weed killer, so pulling is best for me. it is a LONG process, worth the effort. Now I have another, softer weed that has taken it's place.....I am pulling it, but I am not as aggressive since it is not pokey. I did find a HORRID one in front (with my bare foot) and it is hard and sharp and about 1/4 inch long. Bleeds. grrrrr.
  • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Oct 18, 2015
    Thanks Christina, I started out trying to pull them when we first moved here about a year ago. We have had so much work to do here they kinda got away from me.
  • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Oct 18, 2015
    hadn't thought of that, I might give that a try too, at least up around the house where I cant burn. thanks!!
  • Smi14079773 Smi14079773 on Jan 06, 2017

    Try dragging an old piece of carpet around yard.use a vehicle.they will stick to carpet.


    • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Jan 06, 2017

      Oh wow that's a great idea! I could use the riding mower to do it! Thanks !

  • Smi14079773 Smi14079773 on Jan 06, 2017

    let me know,I havent actually moved into my house yet.was thinking of buying a 4 wheeler to drag carpet. glad i could help.


    • Donna Shaw Donna Shaw on Jan 06, 2017

      Its a great idea, I know how many stickers and goatheads I pick out of my carpet. Im definitely giving it a try as soon as it warms up a bit, thank you so much!! good luck with yours!!

  • Ben Molinar Ben Molinar on May 11, 2017

    Put a brick or two in a burlap sack and drag it behind your mower. Use both sides, and you can even turn it inside out and do it again.

    When you are done, just throw the bag away

  • Allison orton Allison orton on May 28, 2017

    For the first time in many years my property is full of Burr Grass--uggg.

    I have cats, and a bad neck from car accidents. Other than poisoning the property, or pulling it out--what can be done ? I don't want to loose the beautiful ground cover covering the 2 acres.