Cattail Weed Control

Methods of Control

• Cattails can be controlled with the chemicals diquat and glyphosate, which are both available commercially. Additionally, cattails can be pulled from the wetland manually if the roots are accessible.

Considerations

• Diquat and glyphosate are generally considered safe for pond life such as fish and wetland birds. However, users must become familiar with the manufacturer's instructions before adding diquat or glyphosate to a cattail-infested area. Pulling cattails poses safety hazards because they generally grow in mucky, wet areas that do not provide secure footing.

Misconceptions

• According to the Ohio State University Agricultural Extension, there is no certain way to control cattails biologically. Although some pond owners add grass carp to their ponds to curtail cattail growth, grass carp generally prefer other foods.