How to Get Rid of Grass Burrs and Reclaim Your Lawn

Whether you’re battling grass burrs (also known as grass stickers or sand spurs in Texas) or simply looking to prevent them, understanding these thorny invaders is key to reclaiming your yard. All weeds can be a nuisance, but grass burrs are particularly troublesome due to their painful, spiky seedpods that attach to skin, clothing, and pet fur.

If you have kids or pets who love running barefoot in the yard, these prickly weeds can make outdoor time unbearable. Unfortunately, they don’t appear in small numbers—Texas lawns often see dozens, if not hundreds, of these invaders. Left unchecked, they spread rapidly and can render a lawn virtually unusable.

In this article, we’ll discuss what grass burrs are, how they spread, their impact on agriculture and turf management, and the best methods to eliminate them so you can fully enjoy your outdoor space again.

What Are Those Spiky Balls in the Grass?

If you've ever searched for “spiky balls in grass,” you’re not alone—it's a common way people describe grass burrs before they learn what they actually are.

Grass burrs (Cenchrus echinatus) are warm-season annual grasses that thrive in dry, warm climates, making them a persistent problem in Texas and similar regions. They commonly invade pastures and roadsides but can just as easily take over lawns, thanks to their highly effective method of spreading. They go by various names, including “sticker burrs,” “sandbur,” and “prickly thorns.”

How Do Grass Burrs Spread?

The plant itself is a tall, grassy weed that produces multiple thorny seedpods. These spiky seedpods break off and attach to passing animals, clothing, and even car tires, spreading to new areas. This natural dispersal method makes them difficult to control.

The seedpods aren’t just an annoyance—they’re the primary way the plant reproduces. When they land in a new spot, they take root, and the cycle continues. Because they grow aggressively and don’t respond quickly to common weed killers, dealing with them requires a strategic approach.

A single plant can produce over 5,000 burs, making their spread almost inevitable without intervention. Research from Oklahoma State University highlights that even in well-maintained pastures, sandburs can reduce the quality of forage for grazing animals and increase maintenance costs.

Impact on Agriculture and Turfgrass Industries

Grass burrs are more than just a nuisance; they have tangible negative effects on various sectors:

• Agriculture:
  In pastures, the spiny burs can injure grazing animals, reduce forage quality, and lower livestock productivity. Contaminated wool from sheep also decreases in market value. According to the Plant Pono Weed Risk Assessment, the aggressive spread of grass burrs leads to economic losses for farmers and ranchers.

• Turfgrass Management:
  In lawns, golf courses, and sports fields, grass burrs can render areas unusable due to their painful burs. Their presence increases maintenance costs as repeated mowing, herbicide treatments, and reseeding efforts are needed to keep infestations under control.

How to Get Rid of Grass Burrs

Unlike some other grassy weeds, grass burrs are not easily controlled with pre-emergent herbicides. Instead, post-emergent weed control products are required once the plants have already sprouted.

1. Use the Right Weed Control Products

Over-the-counter herbicides found in big-box stores are often ineffective against these stubborn weeds. Instead, professional-grade herbicides applied by lawn care experts offer a better chance at controlling and eliminating them. Because grass burrs can be persistent, multiple treatments may be necessary.

Herbicide options include:

• Pre-emergent Herbicides: Products containing pendimethalin or oryzalin can prevent grass burr seeds from germinating when applied before soil temperatures reach 52°F. However, timing is crucial for effectiveness.
• Post-emergent Herbicides: Spot treatments using glyphosate work against mature plants but should be applied carefully to avoid damaging desirable turfgrass.
• Selective Herbicides: Herbicides like imazapic and nicosulfuron + metsulfuron-methyl (e.g., Pastora) have shown success in treating grass burr infestations. (Oklahoma State University Extension)

2. Consider Sod Replacement for Severe Infestations

For homeowners dealing with a heavy infestation, a faster solution may be to replace the affected grass with new sod. This method eliminates existing weeds while giving you an instant, healthy lawn. Although more costly upfront, it saves time and frustration compared to repeatedly treating the problem with herbicides.

This approach is particularly appealing to homeowners who inherit a neglected yard when purchasing a home. Instead of battling the problem for months, new sod allows them to start fresh with a clean, weed-free lawn.

How to Prevent Grass Burrs in Texas

The best way to keep grass burrs and other weeds at bay is by maintaining a thick, healthy lawn. While it’s nearly impossible to prevent all weeds, a well-maintained lawn is far more resistant to invasions.

1. Follow a Proper Lawn Care Program

A comprehensive lawn care plan includes:

• Regular fertilization to keep the grass strong and healthy
• A consistent weed control routine with pre-emergent and post-emergent treatments
• Proper irrigation to prevent drought stress, which weakens the lawn

2. Mow and Water Correctly

Many lawn problems start with incorrect mowing or watering practices. Cutting the grass too short can weaken it, creating gaps where weeds can take hold. Likewise, underwatering can cause the lawn to thin out, making it more susceptible to invaders.

By keeping your lawn at an optimal height and watering deeply but infrequently, you create an environment where weeds struggle to establish themselves.

3. Encourage Thick Turf Growth

A dense, thriving lawn naturally crowds out weeds. If a grass burr seed does find its way onto your property, it’s less likely to take root if your lawn is already full and healthy. This natural defense helps prevent new outbreaks before they start.

Case Study: Eradication Efforts on Laysan Island

A successful large-scale eradication of Cenchrus echinatus (grass burrs) took place on Laysan Island, Hawaii. Introduced in 1961, the invasive plant rapidly spread, covering about 30% of the island. Through a combination of hand-pulling and targeted glyphosate applications, conservationists successfully depleted the seedbank, and by 1999, they were nearly eliminated. (ResearchGate)

This case study demonstrates that persistence and proper herbicide use can effectively eradicate grass burr infestations over time.

You don’t have to surrender your yard. Prevention and maintenance are key, but if the problem has already gotten out of hand, effective solutions like professional weed control or sod replacement can restore your lawn.

If you’re in Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, Texas, don’t let these pesky buggers control your outdoor space.!

Contact Sticker Burr Roller today to reclaim your lawn and enjoy a sticker-free yard once again!