Aquatic Weed Control

As spring approaches, pond owners begin thinking about their pond and how they might be able to conquer the weeds that end up encroaching on their aesthetically pleasing water feature. 

Weeds come in two forms; namely, submerged (or below water) and emergent (above water).

Emergent weeds are predominantly controlled by either removing them mechanically (ugh!) or by treating them with an environmentally friendly chemical.  Emergent weeds include cattails, reeds, sedges and grasses that extend above the water line.  Catt Plex, an aquatic grade glyphosate, is very effective in containing emergent weeds.  It will only kill the weeds you spray and usually kills the weeds in about seven to ten days.  It is water-fast in around an hour, so even if it rains on the weeds an hour after treatment, the product is still effective.  Catt Plex is even more effective if it is mixed with a surfactant like Plex Mate. 

Submerged weeds are mainly controlled by the same methods as emerged; they can be mechanically removed or chemically treated.  However, there are a couple of other preventative strategies that help to reduce submerged weed growth.  The use of beneficial pond bacteria aids in reducing an important key to weed growth; nutrients.  Using bacteria like Natural Pond Cleaner will aid in reducing nutrient availability for weeds to use for growth.  Chemically treating the remaining weeds with Tsunami DQ (diquat dibromide) will aid in effectively controlling submerged weed growth.

Keeping weed growth under control in and around a pond is now a little easier once one understands which products control which weeds.

For more information about aquatic weed control Contact Sanco.