What Kills Puncture Vines?

Hoeing

• Puncture vines produce from 200 to 5,000 seeds a year. The seeds that do not germinate stay in the soil until conditions favor their germination. Gardeners see puncture vines pop up in the yard in the spring to summer months. To prevent future problems with puncture vine seeds and kill existing weedy vines, use a grub hoe to remove the plant from the yard. Take care in pulling up puncture vine's deep tap root by digging up the plant. Till the first 1 inch of soil to break up the vine and its root system. Avoid deep tilling, because it pushes seeds deeper in the soil. Clean up all burs in the area to keep them from sprouting vines.

Mulches

• Mulching garden beds helps keep puncture vine seeds from germinating. Two different mulch types are generally used: organic and synthetic. Organic mulch types include wood chips, straw, pine needles, compost and grass clippings. When using and organic mulch, spread a 3- to 4-inch layer around ornamental plants for optimal control. Synthetic mulches like landscaping fabrics, crushed brick, gravel and sea glass are advantageous for gardeners who do not want to reapply mulch every year.

Pre-Emergent Herbicide

• Pre-emergent herbicide keeps puncture vine seeds from germinating in the soil. The best time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide is in the fall before puncture vine seeds germinate. Use a pre-emergent herbicide that contains such active ingredients such as benefin, trifluralin or oryzalin. To apply pre-emergent herbicide, dilute the herbicide in a tank with water or distribute granules throughout the yard. Water the yard with 1 inch of water to encourage the herbicide to sink into the soil.

Post-Emergent Herbicide

• Post-emergent herbicides kill existing puncture vines. Gardeners may use a post-emergent herbicide that doe snot harm grass and contains dicamba or 2,4-D. However, there are no post-emergent herbicides available for using in ornamental broadleaf beds that do not harm the plant. When puncture vines form a thick dense mat, spray the mat with an herbicide that contains glyphosate. Use a herbicide that contains glyphosate on puncture vines growing away from grass or ornamental plants.