Mesquite control

Page last updated: Friday, 4 October 2019 - 5:38pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Control method for mesquite (Prosopis species) declared pests in Western Australia. Report the presence of this organism before undertaking a control measure.

REPORT THE PRESENCE OF THIS PEST BEFORE UNDERTAKING CONTROL

Information about this pest can be found on the mesquite: declared pest page.

Chemical requirements

When using any agricultural chemicals please ensure that you always follow instructions on the label and any permit. Users of agricultural chemical products must always strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website.

Chemical control options

Chemical control options can be found below. For other methods of control please refer to the mesquite: what you should know page.

Recommended herbicides

When actively growing,basal bark spray and/or overall foliar spray

  • Triclopyr
  • Triclopyr + picloram

At any time

  • Velpar®
  • Access™ Herbicide

Small plants

  • Tryclopyr

Herbicide: Access™ Herbicide (Group I)

Active ingredient

240g/L triclopyr + 120g/L picloram

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1:60 in distillate

Amount of product/10L distillate

160mL

Time of application

When actively growing at all stages before pod formation

Remarks

  • Treat plants with stems up to 5cm diameter.
  • If using 'cut stump' treatment, the tree diameter is not restrictive.

More information and other control methods

  • Treat stems up to a height of 30cm above ground level for 'basal bark'
  • For 'cut stump' cut stem as close to the ground (<15cm) as possible
  • Do not treat trees with wet bark

Herbicide: Triclopyr (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

600g/L triclopyr

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1:60–1:120 in distillate

Amount of product/10L distillate

1:60 = 160mL

1:120 = 80mL

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Time of application

When actively growing

Remarks

Apply as a 'basal bark' spray to mature trees. Poor results can be expected if treatment undertaken during or after long dry spell. Mix only what can be used on day of spraying. Agitate regularly. Use 1:60 on large mature trees. The mixture can be used as a 'cut-stump' treatment at any time of year.

More information and other control methods

Individual trees can be removed mechanically. There will be seedling regrowth in subsequent years.

Herbicide: Tryclopyr (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

600g/L triclopyr

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

1:330

Amount of product/10L water

30mL

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Remarks

  • Use to treat small plants as overall foliar spray
  • A 755g/L formulation available

Herbicide: Tryclopyr (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient

300g/L triclopyr + 100g/L picloram

Amount of product/10L water

350–670mL

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Wetting agent BS-1000 @ 100mL/100L

Time of application

When actively growing, up to pod formation

Herbicide: Velpar® (Group C)

Active ingredient

250g/L hexazinone

Rates of dilution for spot spraying

Use undiluted at 4mL/spot. One spot/m height of tree up to 5m tall. Also a recommendation for Parkinsonian.

Amount of product/10L water

Not recommended

Rate of product/ha

Not recommended

Time of application

At any time. Inject into soil (sub-surface) if dry. Use spotgun.

Remarks

  • Needs rain to activate. Distribute dose around dripline of large trees. Keep clear of desirable trees. Best suited to isolated small plants (up to 2m in height).
  • For prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica) 4mL/spot using one spot for every metre of height

Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080