Aquatic Weed Control

Unwanted aquatic plants are the number one pond maintenance problem in Texas. With the arrival of warm temperatures they annoy pond owners and create problems throughout the summer and fall.

Depending on the species and abundance of these weeds it is often necessary to control them. Aside from the aesthetic value of a well kept pond, an over abundance of weeds can create a hazard for aquatic life, offensive odors, breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and a hindrance to water sports. There are three basic ways of controlling aquatic weeds. Mechanical, Biological, and chemical.

Mechanical is useful in the event it is a small pond and the weeds are minimal. One can pull out or dig out problem weeds. It is time consuming and eventually impossible if let go. Biological control (use of grass carp) can be successful if done before a problem occurs, or after a chemical treatment has knocked down the problem. These fish do not breed in standing water, and only eat weeds. Restocking will be necessary periodically.

Chemical control requires specific weed identification, and treatment as necessary with either an algaecide or herbicide.

There are five major groups of aquatic weeds.

Planktonic -- (usually not a problem unless potable water), Filamentous (slimy and green, or horsehair clump), and Chara (also called muskgrass, anchored in the bottom and underwater.

Marginal Weeds -- Plants that grow in the saturated soil on the waters edge, like cattails.

Submersed Weeds --True seed plants rooted on the bottom, mostly underwater a few flowers above the surface like naiads.

Emersed Weeds -- Rooted on the bottom with floating leaves and flowers, like arrowhead and waterwillow.

Floating Weeds -- Free floating plants or rooted but leaves raise and fall with water level, like duckweed and waterlilies.

For more information in the greater Houston area info@scapest.com