Noticing aquatic weeds in your pond? It’s a common midsummer occurrence, and pond management is key, Texas AgriLife Extension officials say.
To get the most out of their ponds—whether it’s for recreation, livestock watering or irrigation–pond owners should keep their ponds well treated for aquatic weeds.
Extension specialists encourage pond owners to use the available resources to help control their aquatic vegetation and fish populations during the blistering summer heat.
But Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension specialist, recommends pond owners use caution when treating aquatic weeds where the fish population is a vital resource.
He advises landowners to treat their ponds in stages if their fish population is important. An increase in water temperatures during the summer and a lack of oxygen from treating an entire pond with herbicides at the same time can cause fish losses.
“This is typically a summertime problem because water at higher temperatures holds less oxygen than would be possible at cooler temperatures,” Higginbotham told AgriLife Today.
Higginbotham also noted it may be best to remove existing fish populations and start over if landowners have unbalanced fish populations, especially in smaller ponds.
Rotenone is a restricted use pesticide available for landowners who have their pesticide applicator license and is for removal of fish from ponds. It can be applied by pump or by mixing into the prop wash of a small outboard motor.
Click here for more information on identifying and controlling aquatic weeds.