Expert: Greg Simpson - 9/30/2006

Question
We have a beach home in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and our yard mostly sand and weeds and is overgrown by cactus.  The kids and dogs can't walk in the yard without being stepping on the stepping on the cactus and having the barbs enter their feet.

How can we destroy/eradicate the cactus and can this been done with the use herbicides?

Thank you for any information you may be able to provide.  

Answer
Dear Ed,

The only way to truly erraticate them is to dig them out and throw them away or burn them after they dry up. Herbicides like Doomsday might work or it may just damage them. In either case, you'll still need to dig them out.

Sincerely,

Greg