Excessive aquatic plant growth is a common complaint and may interfere with desired uses of ponds. Phosphorus and nitrogen typically drive aquatic plant growth, which may persist while nutrient levels remain elevated. This publication will assist landowners, pond managers, farmers, producers, and municipalities how (a) land-based actions throughout the watershed can reduce external nutrient and sediment loadings, and (b) in-pond actions can assist in managing plant growth, slowing the release of nutrients, and encouraging more sustainable conditions. Additional Land-Grant Press pond publications are available on lgpress.clemson.edu: Ponds in South Carolina, Recreational Ponds in South Carolina, and An Introduction to Stormwater Ponds in South Carolina.
A “healthy” pond contains a variety of plant species that may cover about 20% of the surface.1 Unless they are rapidly expanding or particularly problematic, the plants are likely providing benefits, including habitat for fish and other organisms, stabilization of soils, and uptake of the nutrients in the water.1 Rapid or excessive aquatic plant growth is a common concern and can interfere with the intended uses of a pond.
Excessive plant growth is a symptom of a pond’s underlying high nutrient levels.2 Nutrients are essential, but high levels (especially phosphorus) will encourage excessive plant or algae growth in freshwater systems.3 Nutrients are often carried from land into waterways, so actions on the land that drains into the pond have a tremendous influence on conditions within the pond. Common sources of nutrients include fertilizer, soil erosion, sewer overflows or leaks, improperly functioning septic tanks, and animal waste (figure 1).4
Pond management begins with preparation. First, identify your main goals and uses for the pond. Then develop an integrated plan to determine cost-effective strategies for meeting those goals. The plan should include (1) land-based actions to protect your pond, (2) in-pond practices to manage problems, and (3) aquatic weed identification to determine efficient treatment options.
A weed-choked pond can quickly become an eyesore and make recreational activities like swimming, boating, and fishing difficult Fortunately, with the right approach, you can get rid of pond weeds for good In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the best methods for removing various types of aquatic weeds from your pond.
Why Remove Pond Weeds?
Before jumping into weed removal methods, let’s first go over the key reasons for getting rid of pond weeds:
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Improve aesthetics – Weeds can make your pond look untidy and neglected Removing them helps restore its natural beauty.
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Promote healthy wildlife – Some weeds like cattails can take over pond habitat needed by fish, frogs, turtles and other wildlife. Removing excess weeds creates a balanced ecosystem.
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Enhance recreation – Thick weeds make it hard to boat, swim, fish and participate in other pond activities. Weed removal opens up recreational opportunities.
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Prevent spread – If not controlled, weeds can rapidly spread throughout the pond, causing bigger headaches down the road. It’s best to remove weeds before they get out of hand.
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Reduce mosquitoes – Mosquitoes like to lay eggs in dense pond weed beds. Clearing weeds eliminates potential mosquito breeding grounds.
Identify the Weeds
There are three main types of aquatic weeds:
- Emergent weeds – Rooted in the bottom but grow above water (cattails, bulrushes)
- Floating weeds – Rooted with leaves floating on water surface (water lilies, duckweed)
- Submerged weeds – Grow entirely underwater (bladderwort, curly leaf pondweed)
The first step is identifying the types of weeds in your pond. Certain removal methods work better depending on the weed type. Take pictures of the weeds and compare to online guides to properly ID them.
Tools like aquatic weed rakes can also help grab samples from the middle of the pond for closer inspection. Proper identification ensures you use the right removal technique.
Remove Emergent Shoreline Weeds
For emergent shoreline weeds like cattails and bulrushes, a combination of manual cutting and herbicide application works best:
Cutting/Digging
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Use long-handled pruners, loppers or scythes to cut emergent growth down to the waterline.
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For plants with extensive root systems like cattails, dig 3-4 feet away from the base and sever the roots below the soil.
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Remove as much of the roots as possible to prevent regrowth. Digging out the entire root system is ideal.
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Cutting should be done before seeds develop to avoid spreading. Dispose of plant debris away from the pond.
Herbicide Application
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For any remaining roots/rhizomes, apply an aquatic herbicide like Shoreline Defense with glyphosate directly on regrowth.
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Herbicides are absorbed and transported throughout the plant to fully kill the root system.
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Follow product instructions closely – only apply to actively growing emergent vegetation.
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Granular herbicides also work when sprinkled directly in the water near shore.
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Avoid overuse of herbicides – only spot treat affected areas.
Combining cutting with targeted herbicide use will help eradicate stubborn emergent weeds at the source for long-term control.
Removing Floating Weeds
For floating weeds like duckweed, water hyacinth and water lettuce, manual removal and surface weed control products work best:
Manual Removal
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Use a sturdy pond rake with a wide head to scoop out floating weeds along the surface.
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An aquatic weed rake with an extended handle allows reaching weeds from shore.
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For widespread floating weeds, a surface skimmer attached to a long pole can collect debris across a large area.
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Removed floating weeds should be discarded away from the pond so they don’t re-enter the water.
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Repeat raking throughout the season to stay on top of new growth.
Surface Weed Control Products
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Surface spray herbicides containing diquat or fluridone can be sprayed directly onto floating weeds.
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Use an extended wand to spray herbicide across a larger area without a boat.
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Granular herbicides are also effective – spread pellets over the water near shore.
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Limit herbicide use to only affected areas. Overuse can harm aquatic life.
With persistent manual removal and mild surface weed control as needed, floating weeds can successfully be controlled.
Controlling Underwater Weeds
Submerged weeds like coontail, elodea and pondweed pose unique challenges since they grow entirely underwater. Here are tips for managing them:
Manual Removal
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Use an aquatic weed rake to rip up underwater weeds. A rake with long tines can penetrate down into the water.
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Weighted tools like the Beachroller uproot submerged weeds when rolled across the bottom.
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Hand cutting and underwater weed rakes work for small infestations. But dense matts will likely re-grow from any remaining fragments.
Mechanical Harvester
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For large-scale submerged weed problems, a motorized aquatic weed harvester is the most efficient option.
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Weed harvesters use an underwater cutting blade to trim weeds and collect the clippings as you move across a pond.
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Harvesters collect up to 2 tons of weeds per hour, greatly reducing underwater weed masses.
Herbicide Application
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Systemic herbicides containing fluridone or penoxsulam work well on underwater weeds.
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Some granular herbicides sink through the water to reach submerged plants.
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Limit herbicide use to prevent unintended consequences – only apply per label directions.
While challenging, a combination of manual removal, harvesting and cautious herbicide application will provide the best control over underwater weeds.
Ongoing Pond Weed Prevention
Once you’ve tackled an existing pond weed problem, the focus shifts to prevention and maintenance:
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Inspect the pond weekly and remove any new weed growth before it spreads. Early intervention is key.
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Consider introducing grass carp, which eat many types of aquatic vegetation helping to prevent excessive weed growth.
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Use pond dye or bottom screens/barriers to limit sunlight and restrict weed growth zones.
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Maintain proper nutrient balances – excess phosphorus and nitrogen drive weed growth.
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Establish native aquatic plants around pond edges, which helps resist weed invasions.
By staying vigilant and proactively addressing new weed growth, you can keep pond weeds at bay and maintain a clean pond for years to come.
Recap: Effective Pond Weed Removal Process
Removing pond weeds takes patience and using the right methods for the job. Here’s a quick recap of the key steps:
- Correctly identify the pond weed types present
- Remove emergent shoreline weeds via cutting and herbicide use
- Eliminate floating weeds using pond rakes and surface weed control
- Manage underwater weeds with rakes, harvesters and careful herbicide application
- Stay vigilant and attack new weed growth early before it spreads
While it takes some effort, a weed-free pond provides huge aesthetic, recreational and environmental benefits. Follow these guidelines and soon you’ll have a beautiful, lush pond to enjoy all season long.
Aquatic Weed Control Products for Your Lake
Aquatic weeds can quickly become a nuisance if left untreated, ruining swimming areas, recreational activities, and fishing spots while also being an eyesore. At Weeders Digest, we offer the largest selection of aquatic weed control products for lakes and ponds.
Target All Types of Aquatic Weeds
- Manual Tools: Simplify removal with aquatic weed rakes like the RakeZilla and cutting tools like the Weed Shear.
- Automated Control Tools: Utilize advanced equipment like the fully automated Lake Groomer for effortless, efficient weed management and muck removal, and the AquaThruster to prevent and remove muck, silt, and weeds with its powerful blower system.
- Selective Herbicides: Apply targeted treatments with minimal environmental impact using products like the Lake Weed Terminator Herbicide & Adjuvant Bundle for effective and safe weed control.
How to Remove weeds from your pond cheaply and easily. Weed removal made easy. No chemicals needed.
FAQ
How do I get rid of weeds in my pond?
Vinegar: A solution of vinegar (acetic acid) can be used as a non-selective herbicide. It can kill weeds on contact but should be applied carefully to avoid overspray into the pond. Salt: While salt can kill weeds, it can also harm aquatic life and should be used with caution. It’s best avoided near ponds.
What will eat weeds in a pond?
Grass carp love to eat weeds such as eloda, hydrilla, naiads, parrotfeather, and pondweeds.May 2, 2021
Can you spray RoundUp on weeds in a pond?
Most herbicides labeled for landscape use, like RoundUp, can be harmful to fish and other animals in and around the pond. Therefore, it is very important to get herbicides labeled for aquatic use if you need to kill weeds in and around your pond.
How to get rid of seaweed in a pond?
- 5 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Algae in Your Pond. pondcountry. …
- Use a Pond Skimmer for Filtration. …
- Add Maintain or Beneficial Bacteria to Your Pond. …
- Install a UV Clarifier to Kill Algae. …
- Use Barley Straw to Prevent Algae Growth. …
- Add Aquatic Plants to Your Pond.
How to get rid of weed in a pond?
To get rid of weed in your pond, the first task is to identify the weed. Then you have to select the method of removal and control. If you have fish in your pond, you have to be careful while selecting any method. Mostaq is a self-taught gardener and fish enthusiast who has been blogging about gardening for the past four years.
How to remove pondweed?
Pondweed removal is a must when you have them in excess amount in your pond. There are mainly three methods of pondweed removal- Manual, Chemical and Biological. In this article, you will learn the ways of pondweed control of all three methods. Manual or mechanical pond weed removal is the safest method that you can adopt.
How do I get rid of curly leaf pondweed?
To get rid of Curly-Leaf Pondweed, you can use most herbicides which are effective throughout the season and only need to be applied once a year. Hydrothol 191 Granular is highly effective at killing Curly-Leaf Pondweed in the application area. Its active ingredient is Endothall, mono (N,N-dimethyl alkylamine) salt.