Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Grass and Cattails

We have some kind of grass and cattails creeping in around our pond (1/4 acre). Wasn't too bad but recent rain (after long drought) really perked them up. We are working around pulling stuff out manually. It was catching FA which has also perked up. Doing it manually is a pain, we certainly don't get it all. The sides of our pond are fairly steep so hoping the weeds will stay closer to the shore but we want them less than they are and don't want to use chemicals. Got me thinking about an Amur. Do they eat cattails? Our pond is more for swimming than fishing and reading about the potential size of Amurs is a bit disconcerting to my family.

I'd love to hear your experience with Amurs and swimming ponds.

There may be some insect specie that feed on Cattails, but I am not aware of any other animal that does, fish or otherwise. If your pond does not already have a fish population, the addition of fish will only promote and increase the growth of existing established aquatic plants.

muskrats eat cattails

Grass Carp love them them where fresh shoots, after that without using chemicals you have to keep cutting them down. in most cases if you keep them cut back they die off.