Eliminating Lawn Burweed (Stickers) Before They Spread

Identifying Lawn Burweed (Soliva sessilis)

• Winter annual: germinates fall, small through winter.
• Leaves: opposite, finely divided, parsley-like, hairy.
• Stickers form at leaf axils after flowering (early April).
• Mature plant: 3–4 inches tall, 6 inches wide.

Critical Control Window

Treat in winter (Jan–Feb) before flowering. Once stickers form, they persist even if plant dies. March treatment helps but stickers remain.

Herbicide Options

• 2,4-D (amine formulation).
• Dicamba (Banvel) or 2,4-D + dicamba combos.
• Three-way mixes (e.g., Trimec, Weed-B-Gon) for broader spectrum.

Application Tips

• Spray on calm day, 50–85°F.
• Use surfactant for better leaf coverage.
• Don't mow 2 days before/after.
• Water in after 24–48 hours (per label).

Prevention for Next Year

Apply pre-emergent (prodiamine, dithiopyr) in September. Maintain dense turf—burweed invades thin areas. Seeds spread via mowers, shoes, pets.

Organic Note

No reliable organic post-emergent for burweed. Focus on cultural density and fall pre-emergent (corn gluten meal).