Picture this. You’re racing towards the crease to deliver the opening ball to your brother-in-law during the Christmas Day backyard cricket match. You rock back, drive forward, plant your bare front foot… Then Ouch!
A sharp sting shoots from the ground straight up your leg. You release the ball late, watching in slow motion as your intended yorker falls short, gently bounces up to hip height, where it’s pulled to the square leg boundary for four.
While you sole-search, wincing as you pick those sharply pointed prickles from your skin, trying your best to ignore your brother-in-law’s trash talking, you wonder how such a little weed could have ruined your Christmas lunch, and what you can do next time to keep these prickly pests at bay.
What are Burr Weeds?
Burr weeds can ruin more than your fast bowling form. These nuisance plants are named for their prickly burrs, which are notorious for snagging onto clothing, animal fur, or even skin. These hitchhiking seed pods inevitably find their way into your house, where they can make a matted mess of your carpet, rugs and furniture.
Generally, the weed germinates in spring or early summer, while the burrs tend to emerge from December to April – primetime for family gatherings and festive fun on the lawn. They can also be very upsetting for kids and ruin the experience of a barefoot stroll or play in the garden.
The good news? With the right time and effort, you can eliminate these invasive weeds for good. This guide walks you through exactly how to get rid of burr weeds, from identification to long-term prevention.
Know Your Enemy: Identifying Different Types of Burr Weeds
You can’t treat what you can’t identify. These plants look similar, but understanding their growth habits, leaves, flowers, and seed heads helps you choose the best way to control them.
Burr Medic
Often mistaken for clover, this winter annual has heart-shaped green leaves with serrated edges and tiny yellow flowers. It forms seed pods that dry into hard burrs capable of surviving for up to three years in the soil. Burr Medic is commonly found across multiple Australian states and can be easily identified once the growth patterns are understood.
Burr Medic can spread rapidly, especially in disturbed sites after late spring rain. Its hard pods allow the mature plant to persist among existing plants, making effective control difficult unless you act quickly. Early removal helps prevent the weed from reaching the stage where it will set seed and continue its spread.
Learn more and view images of Burr Medic on the Brisbane City Council’s Weed Identification Tool.
Bindii (Jo-Jo)
Bindii forms a low rosette of carrot-like leaves. Its burrs develop in the centre of the plant, becoming sharp, hardened spines once the seedlings mature. These prickles cling to everything and cause plenty of tears for kids and adults alike.
Target Bindii before the burrs fully harden to prevent regrowth. For effective control, regular mowing and timely herbicide treatments are essential.
Khaki Weed
A creeping plant with multiple stems forming a dense mat across the ground. Khaki Weed is classified among noxious weeds in New South Wales and declared a pest in Western Australia.
It thrives in hot climates and disturbed areas, sending down a deep taproot that makes it extremely difficult to kill. The plant can spread rapidly and is commonly found in pastures, yard edges, and neglected areas. The mature plant often displays green leaves with reddish bases.
Learn more and view images of Khaki Weed on the Brisbane City Council’s Weed Identification Tool.
Star Burr
Also known as Bristly Starburr, this tall annual herb produces distinctive star-shaped burrs covered in hooked spines. The burrs attach easily to pets, clothes, and people.
Treat the Star Burr when it's young. Once the mature plant becomes woody, removal becomes a painful task (literally!).
Learn more and view images of Star Burr on the Brisbane City Council’s Weed Identification Tool.
Spiny Burr Grass
This annual grass forms a spike-like panicle packed with barbed spines. Burrs change colour as they age, often becoming straw-coloured or purple-tinged.
Because Spiny Burr Grass is biologically similar to turf, most herbicides that kill it will also kill your lawn. Non-chemical removal and preventive care are the safest and most advised options.
Physical Methods to Control Burr Weeds
Physical removal methods work best when the weeds are young or when the burrs have already formed.
The Blanket Drag Trick
One of the simplest ways to collect loose burrs is without bending or crawling.
How to do it:
- Lay a woollen blanket or a hessian sack on the lawn.
- Drag it across the grass — burrs instantly cling to the fibres.
- Dispose of the blanket (don’t wash it, or you’ll spread the seeds).
Manual Removal
Hand-pulling can work for small infestations within contained areas.
Be careful to grasp the plant low and pull slowly to remove the entire taproot. Always wear gloves to prevent the discomfort or pain of burrs piercing the skin.
Regular Mowing
Regular mowing prevents flowering and seed development.
Always use a catcher.
Mulching burr weeds spreads the seeds and guarantees a future problem.
Chemical Warfare: Using Herbicides Effectively
For stubborn or widespread infestations, chemical control (herbicides) can help, but timing is everything.
Post-Emergent Sprays
Selective herbicides like Monument Liquid Turf Herbicide or Estate Broadleaf Herbicide target burr weeds without harming most lawns. Avoid non-selective herbicides like glyphosate unless spot-treating.
Spray in winter or early spring while weeds are small.
Note: For Buffalo lawns like Sir Walter turf, ensure the herbicide is suitable as specific buffalo-compatible products are required. Lawn Solutions Australia's All Purpose Weed Control is a safe option.
Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Products like Barricade or Oxafert act as a preventative barrier and stop seeds from germinating in the first place.
Apply in late winter for summer weeds like burr weeds. You can also reapply in late February to protect against cool-season weeds such as winter grass. A single application can prevent the problem from recurring for years.
Natural & Organic Control Methods: Do They Work?
If you prefer other methods, there are non-chemical techniques worth trying.
Boiling Water
Effective for weeds in cracks or on hard surfaces.
Avoid using it on lawns: it also kills turf and doesn’t reach deep taproots.
Soil Health
A thick, thriving lawn chokes burr weeds out naturally.
How to improve soil structure:
- Aerate compacted soil once or twice a year to help water and oxygen penetrate.
- Dethatch if the thatch layer is over 10–12mm to reduce barriers between soil and turf roots.
- Apply organic compost or soil conditioners to improve microbial activity and encourage better soil structure.
- Fertilise seasonally to help your lawn live vigorously and out-compete weeds.
Healthy soil = fewer gaps where burr weeds can take hold.
The Best Furry Friends aren’t Burry Friends…
Dogs and cats are burr magnets, making grooming a painful affair.
Safe Removal Hack
Instead of pulling burrs straight out:
- Apply coconut or olive oil to lubricate the fur.
- Use a wide-tooth comb to gently ease burrs free.
- A helper offering belly rubs or treats makes the process calmer.
Spray Safety
After applying herbicides, keep pets off treated areas until the lawn is completely dry.
Reclaim Your Yard: Long-Term Prevention
Once removed, prevention keeps burr weeds from returning.
Your 4-Step Plan
Here’s a quick recap of the 4 steps to burr removal success.
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Identify the weed type
Know which species you’re dealing with so you can choose the right control method.
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Drag blankets to collect loose burrs
Ideal after mowing or during peak burr drop periods.
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Apply herbicides if needed
Use post-emergent treatments for existing plants and pre-emergents to stop germination.
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Prevent future outbreaks with proper lawn care
Improve soil structure, fertilise appropriately, water deeply and regularly mow with a catcher. Find more tips in our Lawn Maintenance Guide.
How to Get Rid of Burr Weeds and Other FAQs
Are certain soil types more prone to prickles?
Burr weeds can grow in many soil conditions, but they establish readily in heavy clay soils and often prefer neutral or alkaline soils. You can treat clay soils with gypsum and neutralise alkalinity by adding a sulphur-containing product such as aluminium sulphate or iron sulphate. Always follow the directions on the product label.
Why do burr weeds seem to appear all at once?
Most burr weeds release seeds that fall into the soil and remain dormant until the right temperature or rainfall triggers germination. When conditions align, entire patches can sprout within days — giving the impression they arrived overnight.
How do I stop burr weeds from spreading into garden beds?
Create a buffer zone:
- Keep garden edges well-mulched to block seed-to-soil contact.
- Trim lower branches of shrubs so burr weeds can’t grow beneath them.
- Regularly blanket-drag pathways or high-traffic areas to collect loose burrs before they spread.
Enlist Some Expert Help
Ready to reclaim your lawn from burr weeds? Call our team on (07) 3273 1166.
We are the preferred turf supplier in Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, and areas in NSW. You can also pop in and order in person at our office on 286 Brookland Road, Allenview. The office opens Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4pm and Saturday 7am to 12pm.
For more great lawn care tips, keep an eye on our website and all our social media channels.
