Cattails in Pond

[TomWAiken]

Anyone know how to get rid of cattails in a pond. They are overtaking my pond and there are too many to pull out.

 

[mdbarb]

I would like to know this also. They have completely filled my neighbors pond, I figure I have about 2 more years before I don't see any water

 

[gerard]

Short answer is if you can't pull them out your option is to use a long reach excavator and dig them out. Cattails only grow in shallow water (less than 4 feet deep approx). After you get rid of what you have and want to prevent future regrowth the best way is to reduce the shallow areas (ie dig pond deeper with steeper sides/drop off) and if you REALLY want to do it right line the sides with poly liner and cover with stone/ballast/ or even dirt just to hide the liner. If the dirts shallow and you get any regrowth it's pretty easy to pull out. Large rolls of poly are pretty cheap and will last along time if you cover them so the UV rays can't get at them.

 

[mdbarb]

hmmm... At the rate they grow and the rate I could wade thru the muck and pull them and my back out, the cattails win. At the rate an excavator would charge, the cattails win, for now....

 

[Bill_in_MI]

Chemicals can be effective, though there are many variables to consider, including your own feelings about using the same. I have used a product called Sonar and it works quite well. (Affects the pigment producing function of the plants. They turn "white" and dye from interruption of photosynthesis)
It is generally "safe" for people and wildlife, but really expensive. Amount needed depends upon the size of the pond and flow in and out, if any. One thing to remember if you have a fish population you want to maintain is that even if the chemical is harmless to them, large quantities of dying plants will sap the oxygen level substantially. That alone could result in die off. You should be able to do a search on aquatic herbicides and find other alternatives to Sonar along with safety information. Good luck.

 

[RJohnson]

You might try this site for information on controlling cattails.
http://wildthings.tamu.edu/aquaplant/Emergent Plants/Cattail/cattail_mgmt_options.htm
If your pond is not too deep you will probably continue to have trouble with cattails. If you have alot of runoff with sediment the cattails will filter the sediment out and make your pond shallower. Good luck.
Randy

 

[gordon]

What about using a chain type harrow to rip them out by the roots. Would this work?
Gordon

 

[TomWAiken]

Randy, Thanks for the great website! That was my answer and I'll be on it first thing in the Spring!

 

[fishman]

Rodeo (or Pond Master) is a chemical that provides excellent control of cattails. It is essentially the aquatic version of Roundup. Although Bill has had success with Sonar in his pond, it is not the best choice for cattails. It is more expensive and is not as effective as Rodeo. I don't think that any mechanical removal method would be 100% effective.

 

[gerard]

Gordon - No.
I tried that with a 100ft cable tied to a heavy harrow drag. Bends them over but doesn't rip them out. Good thought though (I had it too!)