Although Pusley weed is common in Florida it seems there is a substantial increase in lawn infestation by these weeds in recent years. The weed grows low to the ground and produces star-shaped flowers.  They start as white flowers and then turn to a light shade of purple in the later stages of growth. Flowers of Florida Pusley weed bare many seeds that are instrumental in the rapid spread of the weed.

Florida Pusley has proven to be one stubborn weed with a strong drought-tolerance characteristic. This allows for Pusley to take over the yards during extreme heat when lawns are at their weakest stage. It is almost impossible to miss them in the lawns of a few homes on each street while driving around town. Especially during the hot days of mid-summer.

Getting Rid of Florida Pusley Weed

Our battle with the Florida Pusley weed also known as Florida Snow started after we moved from our townhouse to a single-family home with a larger than an average yard. We tried everything from home remedies to spending money on different national brands of weed killers. Unfortunately, they either didn’t work or killed the weeds and grass altogether.  With increasing frustration, we started to pull the Pusley one by one by hand. This was time-consuming and exhausting considering the high humid, hot weather of Florida.

Right around the time that we were getting ready to give up, we discovered a perfect solution. While speaking to one of our neighbors who moved to a new home two doors down from our home. He has also tried different store-bought weed killers with no success until he started using Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns. We walked all over his yard and could not find one flower from Florida Pusley. I followed his advice and purchased one from my local home improvement warehouse. Unfortunately, I made a mistake and purchased one that is intended for spot weed killing. It comes in a much larger plastic container with a long tube connecting the spray nozzle to the container. The system is operated by batteries and works well if sprayed on various spots. Eventually, I went back to the store and purchased the correct Spectracide Weed Stop that comes in a smaller plastic container with a wide-mouth spray already attached to the top of the container. To make sure I can finish my yard, I also purchased 2 refill bottles at a lower price.

When To Apply Weed Stop For Lawns

I waited for a few days to avoid the windy weather we were experiencing. The process, to my surprise, was much easier than I thought. The spray nozzle works amazingly covering a wide area with each try. Completing the entire front and back yard didn’t take more than 15 minutes with most of the time spent on relocating the water hose. I ended up with near 2 extra bottles which I used to spray my next-door neighbors’ yard. The first signs that Spectracide Weed Stop is working appeared by late afternoon and after only 6-7 hours when I noticed the Pulseys are wilting.

Another bonus using the Spectracide Weed was the slow disappearance of many other forms of weeds. Both yards became almost free of Florida Pusley weed and their flowers in a matter of a week. There were very few spots that the weed had survived probably because I missed spraying them. Spending a few more minutes and spraying those spots did the trick. There is no more evidence of the weeds 3 weeks after the first application. It is important to note that I stayed away from the fruit trees, avocado, mango, and banana trees,  in my backyard. I wasn’t sure about the protocol but took the safe road and did not spray close to those trees.