Goathead stickers are the hardened, spiny seed pods of the invasive annual plant Tribulus terrestris, commonly known as puncturevine. These woody, star-shaped burrs are armed with sharp spines that easily puncture bicycle tires, footwear, and cause painful injury to humans and pets. The plant thrives in poor, disturbed soils and hot, dry conditions, making its eradication a persistent, multi-step challenge.
Mechanical and Physical Removal Techniques
Direct physical removal is the most immediate way to control small infestations and is recommended before the plant sets mature seeds. Puncturevine develops a deep taproot, so removal is easiest when the soil is moist, allowing the entire root system to be extracted intact. Target the plants before they flower and produce the hardened burrs, which typically occurs from late spring into summer.
Simple tools can be effective for collecting scattered, fallen stickers. Dragging a piece of old carpet, burlap, or a dense foam pad across the infested area causes the burrs to stick to the material. A wet-dry vacuum can also efficiently collect the tiny seeds from hard surfaces. Repeat the collection process frequently throughout the season, as the seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years.
Targeted Herbicide Application
For larger infestations, targeted post-emergent herbicide application provides effective control. These treatments are applied directly to the foliage of actively growing plants. They are most successful when the puncturevine is still young, ideally before it develops hard, mature seed pods. Once the burrs harden, the plant is nearing the end of its life cycle and the herbicide will have little effect on the seeds already formed.
Herbicides containing active ingredients like 2,4-D, dicamba, or glyphosate are effective against puncturevine. Selective herbicides, such as 2,4-D, are preferred in turf areas because they target broadleaf weeds without harming desirable grasses. Non-selective options like glyphosate kill any plant they contact and are best reserved for gravel areas or bare ground. Always follow the product label instructions precisely regarding application rates and environmental conditions.
Essential Steps for Safe Disposal
Proper disposal of removed plant material and stickers directly influences the success of long-term control. The burrs contain seeds that can remain dormant for years, and tossing the plants into a compost pile or leaving them on the ground will lead to re-infestation. All pulled plants, scraped-up burrs, and collected material must be sealed securely.
Place all material into heavy-duty plastic bags resistant to puncture from the sharp spines. To ensure the seeds are destroyed, place the sealed bags in direct sunlight for several weeks, a process known as solarization. The high temperatures generated inside the bags sterilize the seeds, preventing germination. The solarized, sealed bags can then be safely disposed of in municipal trash collection, provided local regulations permit.
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Sustained control of puncturevine requires preventing the germination of new seeds, often necessitating a multi-year strategy due to the longevity of burrs in the soil. Utilizing pre-emergent herbicides is a primary step, as these chemicals create a barrier in the soil that stops seeds from sprouting. These products, often containing ingredients like trifluralin or pendimethalin, must be applied in early spring before the soil temperature triggers seed germination.
Cultural controls, which focus on improving the health of the ground cover, are important for long-term prevention. Puncturevine thrives in bare, poorly maintained, or disturbed soil, so establishing a dense layer of desirable turf or ground cover creates shade that suppresses the weed’s growth. Applying a thick layer of mulch in garden beds blocks sunlight and provides a physical barrier against seedling emergence. For large, heavily infested areas, soil solarization—covering the ground with clear plastic sheeting during the hottest months—can destroy the seed bank before planting begins.