Aquatic Weed Control: Eurasian Milfoil 5 Options for Control

Published by Jamie Markoe on November 06, 2013 0 Comments

5 Solutions for Eradicating Eurasian Milfoil

Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

Many of our customers ask where this invasive weed came from.

Eurasian Milfoil originated in Europe and Asia and made its way to the United States a century ago. From the 1940's to the 1970's it grew primarily along the east coast. Over the years it has been transported on the backs of animals & water fowl along with hitching a ride on boat propellers and trailers. By the late 1960's and early 1970's, Eurasian Milfoil made its way all the way to the West coast states.

Eurasian Milfoil typically has 12 to 21 leaflets, whereas Northern Milfoil typically has 5 to 9 leaflets. It grows in most areas across the United States.

Problem:

Eurasian Milfoil, once introduced to a body of water, tends to spread very quickly. Only a small fragment of a plant can break off and re-establish its own colony, making it a very invasive lake weed that can be difficult to get under control.

Physical removal of a portion of an infestation can sometimes be worse than doing nothing at all because fragments break off and float to uninhabited areas. One small piece of Eurasian Milfoil introduced to a lake or pond can fully take hold of the majority of the body of water in as little as 2-3 years.

Due to the early season nature of the growth, as well as the speed at which it propagates, the Eurasian Milfoil often crowds out native plants and can create a big problem for recreational water use such as boating, swimming, and fishing.

Solutions:

There are 5 good ways of coping with the Eurasian Milfoil.

1. Physical removal by professional divers

2. Grass eating carp

3. Weevils - a small herbivorous aquatic beetle

4. Harvesting or Dredging - be sure to remove all remnants of the milfoil

Please feel free to email me or post questions you may have and I will respond accordingly.



Read what our customers have to say about our products:



Review for Aquacide Pellets

“I applied a 10 lb bag (Aquacide Pellets) March 1st of this year and the pond looks the best it has in many years only weed left is dead and no Lily Pads…Thanks for the product that lives up to expectations.”

D.C., Mauk GA

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