Eliminating Cat Tails: Effective Strategies For A Tail-Free Garden

Cattails are an invasive species that can quickly take over a pond if left unchecked. While they can add natural beauty to a pond or shoreline, they can also create a maintenance nightmare. There are several ways to get rid of cattails, including physical/mechanical removal, biological control, and chemical treatment. Physical removal involves digging up the rhizomes and removing them from the pond, which is labour-intensive and often ineffective as it is difficult to remove all the roots. Biological control methods are currently unavailable. Chemical treatment, such as with herbicides like Diquat, Glyphosate, Imazamox, or Imazapyr, can be effective but requires careful consideration of safety and environmental impact.

Spraying with an approved herbicide

Before applying any herbicide, make sure that you correctly identify the plant as a cattail. Misidentification can lead to incorrect treatment methods, resulting in a waste of time and resources. Cattails are tall, upright perennial plants that typically grow to a height of 5-10 feet and a width of 1-2 inches. They have long, flat leaves that resemble giant blades of grass, and their distinctive feature is the brown cigar-shaped head stalk at the end.

When selecting an herbicide, choose one that is specifically designed for aquatic use and approved for use in your region. One recommended product is Ecomazapyr 2 SL Herbicide, which can be used to treat cattails along terrestrial and marginal areas. Another option is Rodeo Herbicide, which can be combined with Aquatic AB Adjuvant to increase its effectiveness. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing and applying the herbicide.

To maximise the effectiveness of the herbicide treatment, it is recommended to wait until there is at least 12-18 inches of exposed growth before applying the product. This will ensure that the herbicide reaches the roots, which are the most difficult part of the plant to kill. Apply the herbicide evenly to the target area, following the instructions on the product label.

After application, allow sufficient time for the herbicide to absorb into the plant and penetrate the root system. This process may take up to two weeks. Do not cut or remove the cattails during this period, as it will hinder the effectiveness of the treatment. Once the cattails have turned brown and started to wilt, you can remove them using tools like a weed cutter or pond rake.

It is important to note that cattails have extensive root systems, and multiple treatments may be necessary to gain control. Additionally, always follow safety precautions when handling herbicides, and keep people and pets away from the treated area for the recommended amount of time.

Mowing and cutting

One way to mow or cut cattails is by using an amphibious vehicle mounted with a mower head, which mows cattails above the surface of the water. This can be an effective method for dead cattails that have previously been treated with systemic herbicides, or for living cattails that need to be cut back. However, mowing must be repeated to control the spread of cattails.

Another option for cutting cattails is to use an aquatic weed cutter. This gas-powered underwater weed-cutting machine can easily cut through cattails, especially those rooted in hard, sandy sediment. The tool cuts the cattails below the waterline, which drowns the root system and prevents regrowth.

Cutting the stems of cattails below the water surface is another effective method. This can be done with an amphibious vehicle called a Truxor, which is mounted with a cutting attachment set several inches below the water surface. This prevents the cattails from receiving sunlight and oxygen, which are required for their survival. This method is sometimes referred to as "the drowning method".

To prevent the spread of cattails, it is important to cut off their heads before they go to seed (while they are still brown).

Digging up the roots

Cattails are invasive plants that can quickly colonise wetland areas. They propagate through rhizomes, which are similar to roots. These rhizomes send out additional roots horizontally, resulting in new plants. Therefore, to effectively remove the plant, you must dig out the entire root system.

To do this, you can start by grasping a handful of cattail reeds and pulling them up from the roots. This method is time-consuming and challenging, but it is a good way to remove a large number of cattails without using chemicals or renting machinery. You can also use hand tools, such as a shovel, to help work the roots loose.

For larger amounts of cattails, you may need to use an aquatic excavator, which is a type of powerful machinery that can pull out the entire root system. This method is ideal for those with massive cattail overgrowth or those who want to ensure the cattails do not interfere with other aquatic plants and animals.

When digging up the roots of cattails, it is important to be cautious if your pond was built with a thin layer of clay, as using powered machinery can create a leak in the pond. Additionally, pulling up the roots of cattails can stir up the sediment in your pond, causing temporary murkiness that could impact fish. However, the sediment will typically settle after a day or two.

Overall, digging up the roots of cattails is a direct and effective way to remove them, but it requires a significant amount of time and effort.

Drowning by cutting below the waterline

Drowning is one of three methods to control the growth of cattails, the other two being chemical treatment and mechanical removal. Cattails can be drowned by cutting them off 2-3 inches below the waterline. This method cuts off the oxygen supply to the root system, causing the plant to drown. However, it is only effective if the water level can be maintained for an extended period. If the water level drops below the cut level, the method will not be successful.

To effectively control cattail growth, it is important to address the plant's large tuber, which is about twice the size of a potato and makes pulling the cattail out by its roots extremely challenging. The tuber enables the cattail to reproduce through two methods: spreading seeds via its tail and sending out rhizomes to form new plants nearby.

While cattails can add natural beauty to ponds and shorelines, they can quickly overtake these areas if left unchecked. Therefore, a consistent program is necessary to manage their growth effectively. One effective way to get rid of cattails is to spray unwanted growth with a systemic herbicide like Shoreline Defense Emergent Weed Control. This product kills the cattails down to the root, preventing regrowth. It is important to wait until there is sufficient exposed growth before applying the herbicide and to allow adequate time for the mixture to absorb into the plant.

Another method for controlling cattail growth is mechanical removal using a backhoe with a long enough boom to reach out and remove the cattail and its root system. However, this method may not be feasible or desirable due to the potential damage to the surrounding landscape.

It is worth noting that cattails have benefits to the ecosystem. They provide privacy, nesting spots for birds, and a habitat for amphibians, insects, and fish. Additionally, humans can also consume parts of the cattail plant. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance and manage cattail growth rather than aiming for complete eradication.

Burning

If you are determined to use fire to get rid of your cattails, it is important to take several precautions. First, make sure that burning is legal in your area. Check with your local authorities or fire department to find out about any restrictions or permits required. Choose a day when the weather is calm, with no wind or rain that could spread the fire unintentionally. Clear a wide area around the cattails to create a fire break, removing any flammable materials such as dry leaves, twigs, or grass. Have a garden hose or other water source ready in case the fire gets out of control.

When you are ready to burn the cattails, use a torch or other fire source to ignite the base of the plants. Stand back and let the fire spread naturally. Do not try to accelerate the fire by adding fuel or using a fan. Once the fire has died down, use a shovel or rake to spread out the embers and ensure that the fire is completely out.

Even if you successfully burn the cattails, it is important to remember that this may not be a permanent solution. Cattails reproduce through their flowers, which produce thousands of seeds that are easily dispersed by wind and birds. Burning the plants may not destroy the seeds, and new cattails could sprout in the same area. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the area regularly and take action if new cattails begin to grow.

Frequently asked questions