Do Your Part
Salt Lake County requires that landowners do their part to eradicate noxious weeds. If there were a wanted poster for weeds, puncture vine or (goat heads) would be number one. These are the weeds that puncture bike tires, wheelbarrow tires, get stuck in your dog and cats soft pads and more. These weeds tenaciously thrive in drought conditions, disturbed soil and where other ground cover is lacking. Best practices are to treat these weeds before they go to seed. Stay tuned to more information about weeds like burr buttercups which are toxic to your horses and pets.
The Utah Noxious Weed Act specifies that homeowners are responsible for removal of noxious weeds from their properties. Contact the HOA if you need help
with weed control and removal!
Section 109 | Notice of noxious weeds to be published annually in county -- Notice to particular property owners to control noxious weeds -- Methods of prevention or control specified -- Failure to control noxious weeds considered public nuisance.
Section 110 | Noxious weeds -- Failure to control after notice of nuisance -- Notice and hearing -- Control at county expense -- Owner liable for county costs -- Charges lien against property.
Puncture Vine
This weed is also known as "Goat heads". These are the annoying stickers that deflate bicycle tires and stick in your shoes. It starts growing in the early fall. All parts of this weed contain steroidal sapogenins which are toxic to horses. This weed only grows where it has no competition with other plants. It is an annual, and only survives from the seeds it left behind from the previous season. A single vine can produce from 50 to 5000 seeds. Each of these seeds can live from seven to ten years!
The best way to get rid of them is pulling them out with the root intact or spraying them with 2,4-D or an alternative natural spray.
2,4-D Recipe:
You can buy 2,4-D at IFA. Mix 4 ounces with 1 gallon of water and add a small squirt of Palmolive liquid soap (works as a wetting agent). This does not kill grass and does the job very well. It's also animal safe once dry.
Natural Recipe:
You can buy industrial vinegar at Home Depot. 1 gallon of industrial or cleaning vinegar 25% or greater. 1 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. This will kill grass and other plants too. This does not always get the roots, so you may have to spray again. This is safe for animals. Make sure to clean your sprayer, this solution can be hard on it.
Bur Buttercup
This weed is highly toxic for humans and livestock. Signs of poisoning include anorexia, labored breathing, diarrhea, dyspnea, recumbency, weakness, and death. It starts growing in the early spring. It does not compete well with grass. The best way to get rid of them is pulling them out with the root intact or spraying them with 2,4-D or an alternative natural spray.
2,4-D Recipe:
You can buy 2,4-D at IFA. Mix 4 ounces with 1 gallon of water and add a small squirt of Palmolive liquid soap (works as a wetting agent). This does not kill grass and does the job very well. It's also animal safe once dry.
Natural Recipe:
You can buy industrial vinegar at Home Depot. 1 gallon of industrial or cleaning vinegar 25% or greater. 1 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. This will kill grass and other plants too. This does not always get the roots, so you may have to spray again. This is safe for animals. Make sure to clean your sprayer, this solution can be hard on it.
