While aquatic plants are a natural part of freshwater ecosystems, an overgrowth of floating weeds can cause serious problems – from blocking sunlight and oxygen to disrupting wildlife and water quality. Whether dealing with duckweed, water hyacinth, or other floating invaders, it’s important to take a strategic and environmentally conscious approach to their removal. A mix of physical control, use of chemical herbicide, and floating booms offers a practical solution to both small and large-scale infestations.

Here’s a closer look at the different strategies you can use to manage floating weeds and maintain a healthier, more balanced freshwater environment.

Physical Removal

A common starting point for controlling floating weeds is using practical, hands-on methods to tackle the problem directly. These include skimming, cutting, and manual removal, each offering a straightforward way to manage the surface growth.

• Skimming: Using a net or skimming device is ideal for small-scale removal, especially when weeds are loosely floating on the surface.
• Cutting and Removal: A weed razor or aquatic weed cutter can quickly trim back growth, but make sure to remove all cut plants to prevent their decay and nutrient release into the water.
• Manual Removal: If the infestation is minor, hand-pulling or scooping out the weeds can be a practical and straightforward approach.

Herbicide Applications

When weeds have taken hold in deeper or hard-to-reach areas, herbicides may be necessary, but they must be used responsibly. The methods below provide a safe approach to using herbicides.

• Targeted Treatments: Select herbicides formulated for aquatic environments and follow all label instructions carefully to minimise harm to non-target species.
• Spot Applications: These are ideal for areas with dense patches of weed growth, especially during peak growing seasons.
• Consider Environmental Factors: When choosing a herbicide, consider the water temperature, flow conditions, and the specific weed species to ensure it works safely and as intended.

Floating Booms

Floating booms are an underrated but handy tool in aquatic weed control. They serve multiple purposes, from containing weed growth to supporting targeted treatments.

• Containment: Booms can be installed to physically block the spread of floating weeds, making them especially helpful in high-flow areas or along shorelines.
• Isolation: Containing weeds to a specific area, you can apply herbicides or physically remove them without disturbing the rest of the pond or lake.
• Customisation: Booms can be tailored to the size and conditions of your water body, offering a practical and flexible control method that works with other strategies.

Other Management Strategies

A long-term approach involves more than just removing weeds – it’s about preventing their return. The strategies below help limit regrowth and support the health of the freshwater environment.

• Nutrient Control: Reducing runoff from lawns, farms, or gardens helps limit the nutrients that feed the weeds.
• Shading: Reducing sunlight through tree planting or floating covers can slow down the growth of weeds.
• Dredging: Removing sediment and deepening shallow areas during dry periods can make it harder for weeds to thrive.
• Biological Control: In some cases, specific insects or fish can be introduced to control certain weed species naturally.
• Aeration: Installing a fountain or aerator improves water circulation and oxygen levels, creating conditions that make it harder for weeds to spread.

Staying Ahead of the Growth

Controlling floating weeds is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring, especially during warmer months when growth is most active. Combining multiple strategies helps manage infestations while protecting water quality and maintaining a healthy, balanced aquatic environment year-round.