If you’ve lived in Southern Utah long enough, you know weeds aren’t just an eyesore — they’re a full-time nuisance. Whether it’s puncturevine popping up along your driveway or tumbleweeds making themselves at home in the backyard, these invaders are tough, persistent, and downright frustrating. That’s why proper weed control isn’t optional around here — it’s essential.
What Is Weed Control and Why Does It Matter in Southern Utah?
Weed control is more than just pulling or spraying. It’s about managing unwanted plant growth that threatens the beauty, safety, and health of your property. Southern Utah’s unique climate — dry, hot summers and mild winters — makes it a breeding ground for aggressive weeds that thrive year-round in different elevations.
From Kanab to St. George and all across Cedar City, we’ve seen it all — and at Newby’s Pest • Lawn • Weeds, we’ve helped folks knock it all down.
Types of Weeds Found in Southern Utah
Broadleaf Weeds:
- Field Bindweed – These fast-spreading vines wind their way through flower beds, gardens, and lawns, strangling other plants as they go. They dig in with deep roots, making them very hard to fully remove. Left unchecked, they’ll take over entire areas, blocking sunlight and draining nutrients from your desirable plants.
- Puncturevine (Goatheads) – These low-growing plants produce sharp, spiky seed pods that are a menace to bare feet, bike tires, pet paws, and more. Besides physical pain, they also crowd out grass and groundcover, spreading aggressively across driveways, sidewalks, and dry lots.
- Russian Thistle (Tumbleweed) – While it’s almost iconic in the desert, tumbleweed is no friend to your property. It starts out green and soft but quickly dries into a thorny fire hazard. Its rolling motion helps it spread seeds across wide areas, meaning one patch this year could become twenty next season.
- Kochia – This bushy weed thrives in disturbed soils and grows tall quickly, competing with crops and gardens for water and nutrients. As it matures, it turns woody and becomes difficult to remove. It also acts as a host for pests like aphids.
Grassy Weeds:
- Cheatgrass – An invasive species that germinates early in spring and dries out by early summer. This weed is one of the biggest contributors to wildfire spread in our region. It forms dense mats that outcompete native grasses and turn into dry fuel by June.
- Crabgrass – Often mistaken for regular turfgrass when young, crabgrass takes advantage of bare or weak patches in lawns. It spreads quickly in warm temperatures and can take over a yard if not treated. Its wide, spiky blades make lawns look uneven and unkempt.
- Foxtail – Known for its bushy, barbed seed heads that can burrow into pet skin and paws, foxtail is not just ugly — it’s dangerous. It thrives in dry soil and quickly re-seeds itself, making it a recurring problem without professional treatment.
Sedges:
- Yellow & Purple Nutsedge – These aren’t true grasses, but they look like them — and they’re even worse. Nutsedge loves moist environments and is commonly found around sprinkler heads, leaky pipes, and shaded lawns. What makes it so hard to kill is its underground root system — pull it up, and it just regrows from the roots.
Weed Problems by Area
- Cedar City & Enoch: Early spring weed outbreaks, goatheads, and bindweed run rampant
- St. George & Washington Fields: Year-round weed pressure; crabgrass and nutsedge thrive in lawns
- Kanab & Kane County: Open lot invasions by tumbleweed, kochia, and thistle
These weeds do more than ruin your landscaping — they cause real damage.
How Weeds Cause Damage
Weeds aren’t just unsightly — they’re destructive. Here’s how they really impact your property:
- Destroy curb appeal and lower property value: A weed-infested lawn sends the wrong message. Overgrown or patchy yards make a home look neglected, which can hurt both pride of ownership and resale value.
- Clogged irrigation systems and cracked pavement: Deep-rooted weeds grow into sprinkler lines and underneath driveways or sidewalks. Over time, their roots can crack concrete and clog up water flow, leading to expensive repairs.
- Attract pests like ants and spiders: Weeds provide shelter for a variety of pests, including ants, spiders, ticks, and rodents. These pests can migrate from your lawn into your home or garden, creating even bigger issues.
- Create fire hazards with dry brush growth: Invasive weeds like cheatgrass and tumbleweed dry out quickly, especially in Southern Utah’s heat. These become serious fuel for wildfires and pose a threat to both homes and natural areas.
- Harm pets with sharp seeds or spines: Goatheads (puncturevine) and foxtail weeds can cause painful injuries to pet paws, skin, or even digestive tracts if ingested. It’s not just a nuisance — it’s a risk to your furry family members.
Common Weed Control Mistakes
We see it all the time:
- Spraying too late in the season: By the time many weeds appear, they’ve already dropped seeds. Timing is everything.
- Using store-bought solutions that don’t reach the roots: Many DIY sprays only kill the visible parts of the weed, leaving the root system intact to grow back stronger.
- Mowing over weeds thinking it’ll solve the problem: Cutting weeds doesn’t stop their growth. It can help them spread by scattering seeds.
- Ignoring pre-emergent treatment: This crucial step prevents weeds from sprouting in the first place. Skipping it means starting the fight too late.
Weed control isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we tailor our approach based on what’s growing — and where.
Why Choose Newby’s Pest • Lawn • Weeds for Weed Control?
We’re local. We’re licensed. And we know exactly what Southern Utah’s weeds are up to. Our team uses targeted treatments and pre-emergent applications that prevent weeds before they even show up.
Need weeds gone for good? Call in the pros. Check out our Weed Killer services.
Want a Healthy Lawn Too? Let’s Talk Lawn & Tree Care
Weed control starts at the root — literally. If your lawn is stressed, patchy, or overrun, that’s an open invitation for weeds. Our Lawn and Tree Care service gives your yard the strength it needs to resist invasion and look good doing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I treat for weeds in Southern Utah?
A: Most properties benefit from treatment at least three times a year: spring, summer, and fall. Pre-emergent treatment in early spring is especially important.
Q: Is professional weed control safe for pets and kids?
A: Yes. At Newby’s, we use EPA-approved treatments applied carefully and safely by trained technicians.
Q: Can I just pull weeds or use store-bought sprays?
A: You can, but it won’t solve the root issue (literally). Most store sprays only kill the top, leaving the roots to regrow.
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: Some weeds die within days; others take a few weeks, depending on type and stage. Prevention keeps them from coming back.
Q: What’s the best way to get started?
A: Easy — just give us a call or fill out a form online. We’ll take a look and set you up with a plan that fits your property.
Don’t let weeds win. Whether you’re fighting goatheads in Kanab or cheatgrass in St. George, Newby’s Pest • Lawn • Weeds has your back. We’ve been serving this region for years, because we’re from here. And we know how to keep Southern Utah beautiful, one weed-free yard at a time. Schedule services now, and let’s take care of those weeds once and for all.
