Control Cobblers Peg - Treatment

What does Cobblers Peg (Bidens pilosa) look like and how to control it?
 

Cobblers pegs is a common backyard, roadside and pasture weed that can reach over a meter in height. It is also known as “farmer's friend”, “beggar's tick”, “bur marigold”, “common beggar-ticks”.  It is a short-lived herbaceous plant that is not overly fussy about soil type or location.

Recognising cobblers peg weed

This fast-growing weed has square, upright stems with rich green foliage and can grow and flower at any time of year where weather patterns are accommodating. Individual flowers are borne on the end of the soft stems and are either yellow or cream in colour and quickly develop into heads of spiky, hooked seeds that have the capacity of sticking to clothing, fur or anything that has the ability to enable them to become “hooked”.  This plant is only spread by seed.

How to control cobblers peg in lawns and gardens

Eradication can be easily accomplished by using a registered herbicide before plants have gone to flower or seed. Alternatively, physical removal can be made at the same time while young plants are lush and have yet to produce flowers. While still in this younger state, Cobblers pegs make a nutritious edible green for all poultry and an assortment of pets that enjoy fresh greens. Mulching the soil will defuse its impact on gardens, but recognising young plants and removal on-site will, over time, greatly reduce populations.

Click to view our Searles Lawn Weed Control chart for the right lawn weed killer to use for your lawn type.