Does anyone have a solution for Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestis)?

[RockWrangler]

Puncturevine has taken over about a half-acre of rocky thin soil and is spreading rapidly. I sprayed the area with Spectracide to get rid of other weeds, and the puncturevine immediately took over the bare area. It grew so fast it got a headstart on me, and now nothing seems to stop it. I tried Spectracide, Ortho Groundclear, Roundup, and Eliminator. Each herbicide is chemically different than the others (although some share chemicals), but the puncturevine seems resistant to everything. The plant is too low to mow, and I am out of ideas.

Has anyone had success dealing with this thing?

puncturevine: Tribulus terrestris (Sapindales: Zygophyllaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

Thanks for your help.

 

[Dftodd]

Pour a Pot of boiling water on it maybe That will usually kill most anything.

Gasoline??? Diesel fuel???

Maybe one of these propane weed torches???

 

[RockWrangler]

Pour a Pot of boiling water on it maybe That will usually kill most anything.

Gasoline??? Diesel fuel???

Maybe one of these propane weed torches???



View attachment 759855

I have one of those torches, in fact my wife suggested I use it for the puncturevine. The problem is we live in a high fire danger area, particularly at this time of year. Several thousand acre wildfires occur frequently. Last year I spent half the summer inside to avoid the smoke. Criminal charges will follow if I use the torch and things get away. I just sprayed the area with a concentrated dose of glyphosate this morning, the primary chemical used in Roundup. Now we wait ...

 

[oldnslo]

Have you used any surfactant with any of your chemicals? Reason for asking is the pictures look like that plants leaves could have a wax like coating on them that reduces the absorption of the chemical. A surfactant will help penetrate the wax and also makes the chemical cling to the leaves longer.

Big question is get rid of this what will replace it next..

 

[Yander]

Might look into Crossbow, it is a brush killer. Pretty potent stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Ag-Crossbow-Killer-Gallon/dp/B01CPX5QYO/ref=asc_df_B01CPX5QYO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242081228138&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6718579814709762306&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014902&hvtargid=pla-430542624408&psc=1

 

[newbury]

Have you tried vinegar?
Goat Head Weed Control: Preventing Puncturevine - Epic Gardening.

 

[RockWrangler]

Thanks for the replies:

Regarding surfactants, the leaves are actually a bit fuzzy, not waxy.

Regarding Crossbow, WA State has declared it and its relatives restricted use only.

Vinegar? I haven't tried it. If the stronger dose of glyphosate doesn't work, I may try the horticultural vinegar.

The plant is a nasty character for sure. I don't know if I have ever seen a more aggressive thorn: long enough to puncture tires and sharp enough to puncture nearly anything.

 

[newbury]

Regarding Crossbow, WA State has declared it and its relatives restricted use only.

Can you get a Private Applicators License?
Private Applicator License.

 

[RockWrangler]

Can you get a Private Applicators License?
Private Applicator License.

I have done a little looking in that direction, but any time I have to ask a government functionary for permission, I get a bit rankled. I spent my time in the military and learned how to say, Yes Sir!, but I still get irritated. Napoleon used to call his veteran soldiers "Grumblers." I understand.

 

[newbury]

The only reason I keep mentioning the Private Applicators License is that mine, for Mississippi, took only about 10 or so hours on my laptop.
And I'm figuring things might get tighter.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

We have that nasty stuff here too! I ussually use a string trimmer and mutilate it to the root. It does come back, but another application of the weed wacker will take care of it.

I just used that propane burner on a bunch of them darn weeds today! Takes them out really easily. I don't know if they will grow back, but supposedly the heat from the torch is all that is needed to kill the root. I only do small patches at a time, making sure that nothing is continuing to burn.

 

[Raul-02]

puncturevine seems resistant to everything. The plant is too low to mow, and I am out of ideas.

Test the soil pH and alter it radically, smother it in Urea.
Products containing oryzalin, benefin, or trifluralin can help prevent the seeds from germinating.
Dow Chemical's 2,4-D (dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), a strong glyphosate mix, and dicamba can be used in developed plants.

Puncturevine is interesting stuff.
It can increase libido, lower blood sugar and apparently it is edible
Tribulus terrestris | Purdue University Famine Foods

Tribulus terrestris | Purdue University Famine Foods

www.purdue.edu

 

[ponytug]

Puncturevine has taken over about a half-acre of rocky thin soil and is spreading rapidly. I sprayed the area with Spectracide to get rid of other weeds, and the puncturevine immediately took over the bare area. It grew so fast it got a headstart on me, and now nothing seems to stop it. I tried Spectracide, Ortho Groundclear, Roundup, and Eliminator. Each herbicide is chemically different than the others (although some share chemicals), but the puncturevine seems resistant to everything. The plant is too low to mow, and I am out of ideas.

Has anyone had success dealing with this thing?

puncturevine: Tribulus terrestris (Sapindales: Zygophyllaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

Thanks for your help.

That stuff is evil. We used to live around it. Pure evil.

Hand pulling, burn piles, and being vigilant are all know. Get after it before seeds form.

Washington state recommends two weevils;

microlarinuslypriformis

invasives.wsu.edu

microlarinuslareynii

invasives.wsu.edu

But they are probably for next year. If they are anything like the experience that we had with weevils for star thistle, you will need gazillions, because they fly off to wherever there are more puncturevines, so you need a bunch to get after yours.

More here as well; (I have found them quite helpful for other items in the past)

Weed Gallery: Puncturevine--UC IPM

Photos and descriptions of Puncturevine

ipm.ucanr.edu

I only found one reference for herbicide, but it is for 2,4D, which is both quite toxic, and persistent. I wouldn't want to use it on my property.

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)

2,4-D amine or 2,4-D LV ester Rate 1 to 2 lb ae in 10 to 20 gal water for spot treatments. Time Apply every...

pnwhandbooks.org

Good luck! It seems like you are having the seven plagues.

All the best,

Peter

 

[RockWrangler]

The only reason I keep mentioning the Private Applicators License is that mine, for Mississippi, took only about 10 or so hours on my laptop.
And I'm figuring things might get tighter.

I got into more detail for WA State requirements: proctored testing at a nearby site and annual continuing education requirements. Probably won't do it.

 

[RockWrangler]

Test the soil pH and alter it radically, smother it in Urea.
Products containing oryzalin, benefin, or trifluralin can help prevent the seeds from germinating.
Dow Chemical's 2,4-D (dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), a strong glyphosate mix, and dicamba can be used in developed plants.

Puncturevine is interesting stuff.
It can increase libido, lower blood sugar and apparently it is edible
Tribulus terrestris | Purdue University Famine Foods

Tribulus terrestris | Purdue University Famine Foods

www.purdue.edu

2,4 D is off the table in this state. I may have to look into altering the soil pH. I am hoping today's super dose of glyphosate has a positive effect.

 

[RockWrangler]

We have that nasty stuff here too! I ussually use a string trimmer and mutilate it to the root. It does come back, but another application of the weed wacker will take care of it.

I just used that propane burner on a bunch of them darn weeds today! Takes them out really easily. I don't know if they will grow back, but supposedly the heat from the torch is all that is needed to kill the root. I only do small patches at a time, making sure that nothing is continuing to burn.

There is a new wildfire a few miles away: this area is a tinderbox at this time of year. Not able to use a torch.

 

[RockWrangler]

That stuff is evil. We used to live around it. Pure evil.

Hand pulling, burn piles, and being vigilant are all know. Get after it before seeds form.

Washington state recommends two weevils;

microlarinuslypriformis

invasives.wsu.edu

microlarinuslareynii

invasives.wsu.edu

But they are probably for next year. If they are anything like the experience that we had with weevils for star thistle, you will need gazillions, because they fly off to wherever there are more puncturevines, so you need a bunch to get after yours.

More here as well; (I have found them quite helpful for other items in the past)

Weed Gallery: Puncturevine--UC IPM

Photos and descriptions of Puncturevine

ipm.ucanr.edu

I only found one reference for herbicide, but it is for 2,4D, which is both quite toxic, and persistent. I wouldn't want to use it on my property.

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)

2,4-D amine or 2,4-D LV ester Rate 1 to 2 lb ae in 10 to 20 gal water for spot treatments. Time Apply every...

pnwhandbooks.org

Good luck! It seems like you are having the seven plagues.

All the best,

Peter

Thanks for the links. Hand pulling would be next to impossible right now. Some of the plants are six feet across and each vine is full of thorns waiting for a victim.

 

[Dftodd]

There is a new wildfire a few miles away: this area is a tinderbox at this time of year. Not able to use a torch.

What about boiling water?? You still have the heat getting to the root, but no fire.

 

[EarPlug]

2,4 D is off the table in this state. I may have to look into altering the soil pH. I am hoping today's super dose of glyphosate has a positive effect.

This shows that 24d is ok in Washington https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/endanger/litstatus/effects/24d/attachment-d.pdf

 

[2manyrocks]

https://adams.extension.colostate.edu/ag-acreage/puncturevine/