Goat heads, puncture vine or whatever you call it

[NMDemDist2]

ARGH!!

i'm thinking I'll start a "crop" of puncture vine weevils next spring, but that's not helping me now

suggestions?

[acmejack]

1. OUCH!!

Those hurt...

[tularetom]

2. Don't go barefoot

I had that shit in my lawn and it took two years of weed killer plus VERY heavy irrigation for the grass to grow in and choke it out. If it's a big enough patch of course you could go in with a rototiller and turn it up.

[NMDemDist2]

4. the dogs bring them in on their fur and they end up on the rugs

cooking dinner can get painful


yeah, I figure we'll be battling for a few years against them since we don't want ANY vegetation where they are growing. it's the driveway/turn around in front of the barn

[eppur_se_muova]

3. From CA Dept of Food and Agriculture

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weedinfo/tribulus-terrestris.htm
that is...

MANAGEMENT FAVORING/DISCOURAGING SURVIVAL:Removal of plants
with burrs and repeated cultivation to prevent burr formation
or planting competitive vegetation can help control
infestations.

SIMILAR SPECIES:Puncturevine is unlikely to be confused with
other weeds.

CONTROL METHODS:

Mechanical: Tillage following germination and emergence is
effective. However, tillage may bury seed that remain viable
in the soil for several years. Hand-pulling is feasible for
small infestations and is easiest when soils are moist and the
vines are long enough to grasp. Mowing is ineffective due to
the prostrate growth habit of the plant. 
Biological: There are two species of weevils which are being
used to control puncturevine. The stem boring weevil,
Microlarinus lareynii and the fruit boring weevil Microlarinus
lypriformis. The insect larvae attack the seeds and stems and
have given good puncturevine control. Both insects are
available in California for release.
Chemical: Chlorosulfuron, 2,4-D, imazapyr, MCPA, paraquat,
glyphosate, and dicamba are effective on puncturevine. Consult
the label for proper rate and timing. 

on edit: photo of fruit won't display properly; copy and paste
link to view
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weedinfo/usedimages/tterrestrisfruit.jpg