How to kill cacti

Access all the information needed for control of this noxious weed, including weed identification, herbicide application and spray timings.


Description

Cacti description

Cacti identification

The most successful agents in Australian history, namely the cactoblastis moth, cochineal insect and a mealy bug, continue to keep cacti under control; however, not all biological agents attack all cacti.

Cacti control

How to kill cacti

Different application techniques may be used to treat different cacti. Access used at 1 L/60 L of diesel or Biosafe applied as an overall spray gives effective control of most cacti. This is the best treatment for quick and economical control of small (seedling) cacti.

Using Grazon® Extra at 500 mL/100 L of water as a foliar spray will give slow burn down and regrowth may occur, so follow-up application may be necessary. Tordon® RegrowthMaster at 2.5 L/100 L of water will give effective control of harrisia cactus.

Herbicides for killing cacti

Product#Method of applicationRate*Harrisa cactusPrickly pear (common)Snake cactusSmooth tree pearTiger pearTree pear
Access® Herbicide Foliar spray 1:60 with diesel or Biosafe§    
Garlon® 600 Herbicide Foliar spray 1:75 with diesel distillate      
Garlon® 600 Herbicide Foliar spray 3 L/100 L of water        
Grazon® Extra Herbicide Foliar spray 500 mL/100 L of water        
Tordon® RegrowthMaster Herbicide Foliar spray 1:40 with water          
Access® Herbicide Basal bark 1:60 with diesel or Biosafe§          

# Note: Preferred product option in bold. * Consult lable for details of growth stage and use, especially where range of rates is given. § Biosafe – trademark used under licence, Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd.

Treatment timing

Timing for killing cacti

Treatment should only be carried out when cacti are actively growing. Do not treat during hot, dry summer periods.

ProductSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
Access® Herbicide
Grazon® Extra Herbicide
Key: Best time to spray/treat Can spray/treat if conditions are suitable Do not spray/treat