Yes, it can be difficult to determine when pulling if the root structure has been completely removed, even if one is tedious enough when doing to knock off the dirt & inspect the roots of each pulled clump. I don't inspect when pulling but apparently the roots do usually come up cleanly when I pull. I'm not pulling the same ones over & over, not a plant I worry about taking over cultivated beds at all, even though they are surrounded by this plant and all are recently reclaimed, formerly mowed areas.