This is a biennial native to Europe and Asia. It is considered an invasive weed in many regions such as Africa, North America, Australia, and parts of Europe. Bull thistle grows in sunny disturbed areas. The weed takes available light and resources within the soil, eliminating other native plants in its invaded habitat. It can cause contact dermatitis and often obscures visibility or access to invaded areas. The weed is unpalatable to animals and can crowd out native vegetation that would otherwise provide nutrition for grazing animals. Bull thistle can be removed by cutting the weed before it seeds but can also spread via wind. Despite its drawbacks, Bull Thistle is a commercial crop in Australia.

The best time to remove weeds is before their flowering and fructification, otherwise controlling them can be very difficult. After they have flowered and fructified, their seeds can spread very fast, and hence, the weeds should be removed more often and precautions should be taken in advance in the following year. Mulching: During the seed stage, covering the soil with sawdust, straw or black mulches can effectively inhibit seed germination and the growth of seedlings. In the winter or spring, this method is often used to inhibit the seeds in the soil from germinating. If the weeds have already flowered and fructified, then the method can also be used to prevent more seeds from falling into the soil. Pulling out: Wear gloves or use tools to remove weeds before their fructification. If the soil is too dry, then water the soil thoroughly to make it softer, which can help to remove the root systems of the weeds. After that, deep tillage can be adopted to remove bits of weed roots left in the ground. This method works particularly well for weeds that are low-growing or in their seedling stages. Take care when removing it, as it is allergenic and its leaves are very sharp. Mowing twice a year can effectively inhibit its growth. Ploughing: Be sure to plough and pull out all roots of perennial weeds before planting. The roots should be discarded, exposed to the sun for a long time, or buried deep. You can also use the roots to make organic fertilizer and compost the weeds. It can be effectively removed with herbicide. Note: When removing weeds, especially those which are toxic, thorny and have allergenic sap, be sure to wear gloves and avoid direct contact with them. When removing weeds during their bloom time, be sure to wear special masks to prevent pollen allergy.