Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Invasive Alligator Weed

I have an oxbow off of a bayou in Louiaiana that floods and has some current in it every year during the spring. The lake is only 150 feet to 200 feet wide but 3 miles long. We have it dammed with a spillway at one end. The lake has a fairly large watershed and flows out during the rainy period in the late fall to early summer. About 10 years ago aligator weed got started growing along the banks. This aquatic plant works well cleaning the water and supplying oxygen, as well as cover for young fish and crawfish. The weed is starting to clog the lake now and I can't seem to stop it with rodeo, 2 4 D, or diaquat. Does anyone have any suggestions or have been successful killing this stuff. We have a lot of large bass and I don't want to harm them. Frank

Frank, all three of these have an effect on alligator weed but Reward is a contact herbicide and will just defoliate the plant. 24D works fair but you probably have to hit it hard and more than once. I think Rodeo is the best for alligator weed because it is systemic, like Roundup, meaning that it is absorbed by the plant and kills it. Two things to consider. Make sure you are not diluting the chemical too much and second, make sure you use a surfactant. The surfactant is necessary to make sure the chemical is well absorbed into the leaves. Rodeo does not come with a surfactant mixed in which is what makes it different and more expensive than its sister herbicide Roundup. I typically use CideKick or Cygnet Plus. You may also find some other altenatives at a local farm supply store.

I second rboustany's reply and only add that since Roundup only kills the plants that it comes in contact with, all of the new growth that has not come above the surface of the water will not be killed. It generally takes 2 to 3 apps to beat the alligatorweed into submission. You can also but the cheaper HiYield product with the same agent and it works just as well.

i've had good luck using roundup on the same weed,put you may have to use it 2-3 times.dont give up on the roundup,hit it again.GO LOUISIANA!!!

J

Just saw your post on alligator weed. Good feedback from everyone. I would try Renovate. It is triclopyr that is new to aquatics. It is also a systemic and is excellent on alligator weed. You also need a surfactant with this product like the others. I would not use Round-Up because it is not approved for aquatic use.