Bayer Herbicides That Kill Puncture Vines

Puncturevines (Tribulus terrestris) are summer annual weeds that produce spiky seedpods. These pods are painful if stepped on and can even puncture bicycle tires. Hand pulling or hoeing is the best course of action to control puncturevines, according to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. If, however, the infestation is large and chemical control is warranted, use Bayer herbicides to kill the vines in your home landscape.

Bayer is a pharmaceutical and chemical company founded in Germany in 1863 and known for manufacturing aspirin. Their subgroup Bayer Crop Science provides various crop and nonagricultural pest control products, including herbicides with glyphosate or 2,4-D as the active ingredient. Herbicide containing glyphosate or 2,4-D will kill puncturevines, according to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program website.

Before you can apply the herbicides, you must prepare them, which may require shaking the bottle or mixing with water. The preparation varies depending on which Bayer herbicide you use. Bayer’s glyphosate and 2,4-D herbicides are available in both ready-to-use and concentrate forms. Ready-to-use forms are applied to the weeds straight from the bottle with no diluting. Concentrate formulas, however, must be mixed with water before spraying on the puncturevines. Bayer’s DuraZone concentrate herbicide -- which contains glyphosate -- requires diluting 8 fluid ounces with 1 gallon of water to treat a 500-square foot area. The dilution rate for Bayer’s Season Long Weed Control for Lawns concentrate herbicide -- which contains 2,4-D -- depends on the species of turf grass that is infested with puncturevines. For example, 3.2 fluid ounces of the herbicide diluted in 2 gallons of water is safe for zoysia grass (Zoysia spp., hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10), while 1.6 fluid ounces of the herbicide mixed in 2 gallons of water is recommended for centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides, hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10).

Once you have properly prepared the herbicides, spray the foliage of the puncturevines liberally with the solution. However, avoid applying the herbicide to the point of runoff. If the weeds are growing in an area where desirable plants are nearby, consider covering the wanted vegetation with a sheet of plastic or a piece of cardboard. This will shield the desirable plants from the herbicide, which can injure them. You can repeat the treatment twice a year if needed. It is best to treat with herbicides while the puncturevines are still small and when temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Before applying any herbicides, always consult the directions and warnings located on its bottle. This will prevent damage to desirable plants while increasing the effectiveness of the herbicide. Applying a 3-inch thick layer of organic mulch around ornamental plantings and gardens will help control the vines. Unfortunately, any puncturevine burrs that fall on the mulch can sprout and become established.