The overgrowth of cattails is a rather frequent problem when a natural or artificial basin is located in the vicinity of one's land. They are extremely weed plants and, once they establish themselves, they become very difficult to remove. There are two methods of eliminating them: manually or through the use of chemicals.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Manual Removal
Step 1. Remove the cattails by digging them out
To eliminate them, it is necessary to completely remove the root system. The cattails propagate through the rhizomes which spread further roots in a horizontal direction, rapidly generating new plants. Manual removal is most effective if you dig up the rhizomes when the cattails begin to establish themselves near a body of water.
- Dig up the root system to remove cattails. Then throw them away.
- Consider using an excavator if you need to remove a significant amount of cattails from the field.
Method 2 of 2: Chemical Removal
Step 1. Choose a chemical removal method
Look for a herbicide intended for the aquatic environment that includes one of the following active ingredients: glyphosate, imazamox, imazapyr, or diquat. These are chemicals that are effective against cattails
Step 2. Calculate the area and volume of the water basin
This is necessary to determine the amount of herbicide to use to eliminate the cattails.
- Take your pelvis measurements. If you entrust the task to a company, the employees should take care of it. It is likely that the municipality or the competent offices have previously taken measurements or aerial photos that you could use to determine the size of the basin. If not, go ahead on your own. If you don't have any special equipment, you can use two methods: so-called "chaining" (chaining) and "pacing" (calculating steps). The first involves installing a pole at either end of a meter or a piece of wood, chain or rope of a given length. Place the stakes in the ground, remove them and insert them again, this time inserting the first in the same place where the second left a dip. Keep moving the tape measure and posts around the perimeter of the pelvis. Count the number of times it was necessary to move them, then multiply it by the length of the meter to get the perimeter. The second method works in the same way, but the length of the segments to be moved corresponds to your normal stride.
- Calculate the area. Determine the shape of the pelvis, whether it is square, circular or triangular, and use the appropriate formula to calculate the area.
- Calculate the volume. The volume of a basin corresponds to the area multiplied by the average depth of the pond. Measure the depth by slowly dropping a string with a weight attached to one end at various points in the pelvis. Use the reliefs you obtained to calculate the average depth. The more measurements you take, the more accurate the average depth will be.
Step 3. Apply the herbicide against cattails
It is best to use it in the spring, when growth has just started. The cattails are smaller in this period and, therefore, it is easier to apply the product.
- Read the instructions on the herbicide container. Each formula has different restrictions regarding its use in water. You will need to know them so that you know when you will be able to use the basin again for recreational or livestock purposes. In addition, the directions will tell you how much herbicide to use based on the area and volume of the basin.
- Divide the pond into sections if you need to remove a large amount of cattails. Once the herbicide takes effect, the decomposition of dead cattails could deplete the dissolved oxygen levels in the water, killing the fish. If you clear fewer cattails at a time, the decomposition of aquatic vegetation will be less.
- Use a sprinkler or large area sprayer to spread the herbicide over the cattails. Be careful not to spray the product in excessive quantities.
- Wait 10-14 days before spraying the herbicide in the next section if you have decided to proceed in batches. This way, you will keep the dissolved oxygen levels in the pelvis more stable.
Step 4. Cut the dead cattails
- Wait 10-12 days before cutting the cattails so that the chemicals have enough time to work. It is advisable to wait the necessary time for the herbicide to completely kill the root system.
- Use a lawn mower or sharp blade to cut the cattails.
Step 5. Remove dead cattails from the pelvis
Advice
Although cattails are mostly considered weeds, they have their advantages. They can prevent erosion, provide a habitat for many species of birds, insects and other wildlife, and have many edible parts
Warnings
- While some people find it helpful to cut or mow cattails, this has not been proven to be effective.
- By uprooting the cattails from the ground, you will not kill the root system. It is necessary to remove the rhizomes.
