How to Identify and Control Foxtail Weed
Any pet owner knows to keep the foxtail weed population down to protect their animals or livestock. These common weeds will quickly take over if not controlled. Sarah Jay discusses identification and control methods for this weed.
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Weeds challenge every gardener at some point. In lawns and garden beds alike, they spread quickly, form seed heads, and scatter seeds across wide areas. Persistent weed pressure can discourage even the most determined grower. One of the most troublesome weeds many gardeners face is foxtail.
Like crabgrass, foxtail weeds establish rapidly and can overtake a healthy lawn or pasture within just a few seasons. Their wide tolerance for different growing conditions makes consistent and aggressive control essential in many regions. Some control methods work better than others, and your choice will depend largely on the size and scope of your property.
Whether you prefer organic, mechanical, or chemical control strategies, you can remove foxtail from lawns, pastures, and garden beds with proper timing and technique. With the right adjustments and an appropriate herbicide when necessary, you can prevent foxtail seeds from germinating repeatedly and avoid long-term frustration.
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What Is Foxtail Weed?
Foxtail is a common name used for members of several grass groups, including barley, millet, and brome species. The most troublesome foxtail weeds belong to the genus Setaria. These plants are known for their bristly seed heads, which contain fine hairs and barbs that easily lodge in the feet, fur, and mouths of animals.
The seed heads resemble a fox’s tail, which explains the name. Foxtail leaves resemble many other grasses. They are narrow, pointed, and attach to the stem at the node.
The barbed seed head plays a central role in seed dispersal and rapid spread. Foxtail plants self-seed readily in dry soil or moist soil and invade lawns, pastures, and garden beds with ease.
Some foxtail species grow as annuals, while others are perennial. Giant foxtail, for example, is a summer annual that emerges in spring and forms seed heads in summer. Other foxtail grasses live for several seasons before completing their life cycle. All species share the characteristic bristled seed head. The barbed seeds cling to fur, clothing, and skin, creating a significant nuisance and potential hazard for people and animals alike.
Identifying Foxtail Weed
Now that we know about the leaf, hairs, and awns of foxtail, let’s talk about its life cycle. Each foxtail plant goes through different growth phases, exhibiting different characteristics. Let’s cover those now so you have a good idea of what to look for and when.
Seedling Phase
Foxtail seedlings are difficult to identify because they have not yet developed their distinctive seed heads. When they grow among turf grass or other weeds, they blend in easily. Identification becomes even more challenging because each species produces slightly different seedlings.
One common characteristic to watch for is a narrow, parallel leaf structure. Early foxtail seedlings often produce an oblong true leaf about one inch long and one-eighth of an inch wide, which can help distinguish them from surrounding grasses.
Mature Phase
About 40 days after germination, foxtail seedlings mature into established foxtail grass. Most species grow in clumps, though some develop as a single upright stem. Leaves emerge from the base of the plant and twist slightly around the stem as they grow.
Fully mature foxtail plants can reach up to four feet tall before producing seed heads. They commonly appear in disturbed soil, including pastures, lawns, and mixed grass areas. Any area where soil has been recently disturbed provides ideal conditions for yellow, green, and giant foxtail to establish and spread.
Reproduction Phase
This is the stage when the foxtail seed head becomes most noticeable. Green foxtail produces bright green seed heads that appear from late spring through late fall. Yellow foxtail develops two to five-inch yellow seed heads that bloom from summer into winter. Giant foxtail forms three to seven-inch seed heads that emerge in summer, persist into late fall, and gradually turn yellow as they mature.
Once seeds are ready, they detach easily from the foxtail seed head. Wind disperses them into nearby soil, or they latch onto the fur and skin of livestock, pets, and people. They also cling to clothing. Foxtail seeds can remain dormant in soil for years before germinating. When conditions are favorable, they sprout quickly.
Ideal germination temperatures range from 68 to 95°F (20 to 35°C). During spring gardening, monitor closely for emerging foxtail leaves and seed heads and act quickly to control them before they spread.
Dangers to Pets and Livestock
Livestock often graze on foxtail, which creates serious problems for ranchers. If you want a pet-safe garden, controlling giant, yellow, and green foxtail is essential. The barbed seed heads burrow in one direction, making them difficult to remove without damaging the skin. Foxtail plants are especially common near pastures and prairies where grass is not mowed regularly, but they also appear in lawns and garden beds.
Foxtail seed barbs carry bacteria, dirt, and debris as they penetrate tissue, increasing the risk of infection. Dogs face particular danger because they investigate their surroundings with their noses. Seeds can lodge in sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and between the toes. These locations make removal difficult and create ideal conditions for infection to develop.
Seeds can also embed in the collar area, especially in dogs with longer coats. Veterinary professionals recommend frequent inspections of working dogs and pets that live near lawns, pastures, or natural grasslands where foxtail grows. Outdoor cats, particularly barn cats, face similar risks. Routine checks help prevent painful complications and costly veterinary care.
In severe cases, untreated foxtail injuries can become life-threatening for livestock and pets. Because seeds often lodge in areas that are not immediately visible, inspect animals carefully if foxtail is present on or near your property. Prompt removal and treatment are critical to prevent infections from progressing beyond treatable stages.
How to Get Rid of Foxtail Weed
If foxtail grass is prevalent on your property, pasture, or lawn, you have several control options. Cultural practices, mechanical removal, and both organic and chemical herbicides can all play a role.
Remove giant, yellow, and green foxtail from your area, and you reduce the risk of painful seed barbs in your garden or yard. Consistent management also moves you closer to maintaining a healthy, foxtail-free lawn.
Without Chemicals
Mowing controls foxtails when timed correctly. Cut these grasses before seed heads form to prevent further spread. Since giant, yellow, and green foxtail typically bloom from spring through fall, watch for early signs of flowering in spring and mow promptly. Proper timing interrupts seed production and limits germination.
In smaller areas, this method works well. In larger fields or lawns, it requires ongoing attention and regular maintenance to remain effective.
If foxtails appear in limited patches, dig them out completely, removing roots, stems, and leaves. Uprooting the entire plant prevents both seed spread and regrowth from the base. When you catch seedlings early, before the true leaf develops, you can often pull them by hand.
Mature plants require a trowel and some effort. Although foxtail roots are shallow, they are strong. Mechanical removal eliminates plants effectively, but you can also combine this method with organic control strategies to reduce reinfestation.
Organic Foxtail Herbicide
Applying horticultural vinegar directly to the leaves and awns of green, yellow, and giant foxtail provides fast burn down of visible growth. Use a directed sprayer to avoid overspray, and always wear gloves and a mask. Horticultural vinegar is much stronger than kitchen vinegar and can irritate skin and lungs.
Avoid spraying on windy days, as drift can damage nearby plants. Reapply in one to two weeks if regrowth occurs, since vinegar may not kill established roots in a single treatment.
Corn gluten meal and other organic pre-emergent products also help control foxtail. A 25-pound bag of corn gluten can cover up to 1250 square feet. Apply in late winter before seeds germinate, water it in thoroughly, and allow the area to rest for four to six weeks. Reapply at the same interval if needed. Do not use within six weeks of sowing desirable seeds, as these products inhibit germination broadly.
Organic formulations of weed killers containing ammonium nonanoate, such as certain OMRI-listed versions of Ortho GroundClear, can also control foxtail. Always confirm the product carries OMRI certification if you garden organically, as some versions contain synthetic ingredients.
Broad-spectrum herbicides can damage surrounding plants, so apply carefully and avoid windy conditions. Ammonium nonanoate breaks down quickly in soil into basic elements and does not persist long-term. It causes plant tissues to yellow within minutes and leads to rapid wilting by disrupting photosynthesis. While it effectively kills most shallow-rooted grasses like foxtail, deeper-rooted weeds may require follow-up root removal after treatment.
Chemical Herbicide
Chemical pre-emergent herbicides provide effective control of green, yellow, and giant foxtail in lawns and pastures. Apply pre-emergent products in early spring before soil temperatures rise above 55°F (13°C). After application, avoid disturbing the lawn or pasture for about four months. This waiting period allows the product to prevent weed germination and avoid accidentally killing desirable grass seed as it emerges.
For large pastures with extensive foxtail infestations, glyphosate-based herbicides are sometimes used. While glyphosate remains controversial, it can be practical for managing several acres of land when other methods are not feasible. Apply it carefully to the leaves and awns of individual foxtail plants to reduce damage to surrounding forage grasses that support livestock and soil health.
Like ammonium nonanoate, glyphosate works best as a targeted spot treatment when preserving desirable vegetation. Unlike ammonium nonanoate, glyphosate can persist in treated areas for a longer period, providing extended weed suppression. Even so, careful and limited application remains essential to minimize impact on non-target plants and surrounding ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you identify foxtail weed?
Look for the foxtail-like awns with tons of little hairs. The hairs help the seeds spread through the wind. Some of them are green, some are yellow, and some are brown. The leaf of the foxtail plant is oblong and pointed, shooting from the base of the stem.
Is foxtail weed bad for horses?
Yes. Horses see the plant as good forage and eat it. In the process the awns lodge themselves in skin, between hooves, and even in the mouth or tongue of the horse – anywhere they can. This can lead to bad infections that can threaten the life of horses.
Is yellow foxtail a weed?
Indeed. It’s also a type of grass. The leaf of foxtails gives the plant its grassy appearance while the hairs and awns give it the foxy look.
