Many weeds in the landscape can cause a gardener to gripe, but when the weed is specifically named after a gardener's complaints, then you know you have a real problem on your hands.
Gripe weed has become more common in our area over the past decade. You should accept eradication of a weed as impossible, but management and control are well within our reach. Hand-weeding and herbicide on the foliage work well. Shield or cover nearby desired ornamental plans when you're spraying herbicide.