Catheads flourish in Tamworth after consistent rain hits city

But, within some flourishing lawns are weeds with tiny yellow flowers that will become a thorn in residents' sides - catheads.

Also known as devil's eyelashes, bindi-eyes and caltrops, catheads have been popping up amongst the buffalo and kikuyu following the rain events this year.

Shane Gaunt, who works at S. Capes Landscaping, has been in the game for over 25 years and said the cathead situation in Tamworth was one of the worst he's seen.

"There's all kinds of stuff popping up but the catheads - since that rain - they've taken over," he said. "There's a variety of weeds growing. I haven't seen it that bad before this because we've had the big dry."

Mr Gaunt said there was a number of ways to get rid of the catheads but said the old-fashioned way was his best bet.

"That's the best method. Go around with a spade, then use two fingers to rip the roots out," he said.

READ ALSO:

The landscaper also said keeping your grass a bit longer would help to eventually eradicate the weeds while chemicals were also an option.

Pursehouse Rural agronomist Greg Worland said one type of herbicide had been most popular. "A lot of people have been using chemical to spray them out," he said.

"There's a few chemicals that control them but a lot of people use a product [Kamba M] that you can use around the house - you'll just have to keep the pets away.

"It's effective, economical and the fastest way is to use a five-litre pump up sprayer and it'll cover an average backyard with one tank."

The problem hasn't just been affecting people in town, either. "I've spoken to a lot of growers who thought they didn't have that many catheads but there's obviously been a lot of dormant seed that have found the right conditions," Mr Worland said.