The most common control method for cattails is to use chemicals.  A product called Rodeo is the herbicide of choice.  A mix of 1 oz. of Rodeo and 1/2 oz. of Cide-kick, a sticking agent, to a gallon of water is used in a sprayer.  Spray the mixture onto the cattails in a fine mist type spray.  Do not drench the stalks to the point that there is runoff into the pond.  The spray should remain on the plants for 8 hours for best results.  If the spray is rained off, the cattails will not be controlled.

For more information on cattails or other pond weeds, please call the Clermont SWCD.

Algae, the most well known and widely distributed of all aquatic plants occurs in three different types.

1. Plankton algae (phytoplankton) are the minute, single celled suspended types that usually makes the water pea soup green, reddish, or brown

2. Filamentous algae, are filaments that can form dense mats on rocks and other objects underwater.  It will break away from the underwater objects and float to the surface

3. Attached branch algae, known as Chara and Nitella, resemble some flowering plants, but have no root systems.  They are often gritty to the touch and have a musky odor when crushed.

Herbicides offer a widely used solution to nuisance vegetation control, but should be handled carefully.  Copper compounds are effective algaecides, but may kill Trout, Channel Catfish and other sensitive fish at commonly used doses.  Commonly used Copper Sulfate crystals and Cutrine Plus liquid and granular forms.  Use 2.7 pounds of Copper Sulfate crystals per acre foot and put the required amount in a burlap bag and drag it around the pond until all the crystals are dissolved.   In July –August, treat 1/2 of the pond and wait 10 to 14 days before treating the other half.   

To determine acre teat, multiply the average depth of the pond times the area of the surface in acres.  If you need help in making this measurement, please call the office.  As you pick and apply the herbicides, please read and follow the label instructions.