How to Kill Scouring Rush Horsetail

Scouring rush horsetail, part of the Equisetum species of plants, is invasive in many parts of the United States. It grows as tall slender reeds, the souring rush variety having a smooth almost bamboo-like stalk. The stems are typically a half-inch in diameter and can reach to 5 feet tall if they aren't controlled. Scouring rush horsetail is hard to control because the plant is an evergreen and has an extensive root system.

Hand pruners

Trash bag

Bow rake

Herbicide containing glyphosate

Garden sprayer or backpack sprayer

Water

Safety glasses

Dust mask

Gloves

Examine the tops of the scouring rush horsetail stems to see if they have a small cone-like growth, which contains the seeds. If cones are present, cut them off with hand pruners and place them into a trash bag to prevent the spread of seeds.

Drag a bow rake over the entire area where the scouring rush horsetail is growing to scar and cut the stems slightly. This allows the herbicide to penetrate the hard outer shell.

Fill a backpack sprayer or hand-held garden sprayer with a glyphosate-based herbicide. Read the bottle and use the amount specified for your size of infestation. Add water to the sprayer to dilute the mixture to 2 percent herbicide.

Close the sprayer and don protective gear including safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask.

Spray the herbicide solution onto the scouring rush horsetail weeds until all portions of the stem are damp. Avoid spraying the herbicide on other areas of the lawn, as it kills all vegetation.

Wait a week and examine the scouring rush horsetail to see if it's brown. Retreat any weeds that remain green.

Don't attempt to mow or till scouring rush horsetail, because it spreads the roots around, worsening the infestation.