Question
I have lots of stickers in my front and back lawn to the point that I can't have any rugs in my home due to stickers getting stuck on my rugs, my kids shoes etc....,I need a solution on to what I could put in my lawn to take care of this problem?  By the way I have Bermuda grass, I don't want to burn my grass by using weed killer what are my options for my problem?

Answer
Those Spiky Stickers come from an Annual Grassy Weed called the Sandbur.  

Ever read Texas Monthly Magazine?  

Their columnist Mimi Swartz wrote a whole column not too long ago about Sandburs and their Sticker seeds: 'The best ways to get rid of Sandburs are (a) mow and water your Bermudagrass frequently, or (b) plant St. Augustine Grass, which shades and crowds out Sandbur, or (c) pull the Sandburs out.'

You can read the whole entertaining lecture on the Internet:  

http://www.texasmonthly.com/ranch/readme/index.php  

Ms. Swartz also recalled the experience of a researcher at Texas A&M University.  She said he 'confessed  that it took him three years to get his yard Sticker-free'.  His secret technique: He pulled them out by hand.  

Impossible?

She adds, 'But it worked.'  

And speaking of Texas A&M. there is a world famous Sandbur specialist working there who posted a whole cheat sheet on this problem, which he calls 'Controlling Field Sandbur in Turfgrass':  

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/grassbur.html  

The specialist uses MSMA (except on St Augustine or Centipede Lawns, which will be killed by MSMA).  This is a mix of two deadly chemicals, and he uses them as pre-emergents.  That way they wipe out the Seeds.

Other chemicals that kill Sandburs: Pendimethalin, Benefin, and Oryzalin.  But he doesn't mention  that Oryzalin is a known cause of Cancer and caused changes in blood forming tissues in one study.  It is used by breeders to alter normal mitosis in rapidly dividing Lily cells to turn a diploid Lily into a  Tetraploid -- although this is just a side 'benefit' that hobbyists  discovered by accident with this herbicide.  Or that Benefin caused Liver  damaged in dogs that were exposed to it.

Pendimethalin?  Cornell  University says this weedkiller 'is ranked more hazardous than most  chemicals in two out of four ranking systems, and is ranked as ONE OF THE  MOST HAZARDOUS COMPOUNDS (in the worst ten percent) to ecosystems and  health'.

But the Texas A&M scientists ALSO points out that Organic controls are  the better way to live:  'A dense stand of healthy Grass  provides the best Weed control.  Because most Weeds are opportunists that invade weakened Lawns, the fight against Weeds starts with good management.  All cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing and watering should be done in a manner and time that will favor the Grass rather than the Weeds.  Height of mowing influences competition against Weeds such as Crabgrass -- the higher the cut, the lower the infestation.

Frequent light sprinkling encourages shallow-rooted Weeds and seed  germination.  Less frequent deep-soak watering that maintains a dry surface layer  provides the Grass with a competitive advantage.'  Eddie, You don't want to wreck your blessed home over this.  Avoid pesticides.

You want to breathe and mow and feed the Birds.  You're in good company with your Stickers Situation.  It's one of those  prices of living in Texas.  Here in NY, we have our problems too.  Who  knows when some guy will come along and blow up the Brooklyn Bridge?

We deal with it.  Go deal with those Stickers.  And thank heaven for your Intelligence and respect for Nature and your Bermudagrass and the beautiful Earth we all live in.  Keep me posted.