Cut the main root of prickly pear 2 to 4 inches below the soil surface with a grubbing hoe or shovel. Remove the detached plant from the area, or stack them on piles of brush. Remember, any prickly pear pads in contact with the soil will likely root and grow new plants. Tasajillo and cholla are not controlled easily by hand grubbing because of their growth form and reinfestation from broken plant parts.