Aquatic Herbicide for Ponds
Aquatic herbicides are products formulated specifically to control or kill aquatic plants and pond weeds. They are also used against invasive aquatic plants that threaten the diversity and abundance of native plant species. Aquatic herbicides are registered, approved, and highly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The process of getting a product approved by the EPA is long and complicated. The EPA cannot approve a product if it poses a significant risk to aquatic plants, human health, wildlife, or the environment.
Application
The product needs to be applied by a licensed applicator that has undergone extensive training about the products. Applicators wear personal protective equipment for their safety since they are exposed to the concentrated product for long durations. The products have a low-hazard level, and some can even be applied in drinking water at low dilution levels.
Safety
Occasionally, fish may die after using aquatic herbicide in your pond. However, this does not necessarily reflect improper treatment or toxicity of the product. Some cases are caused by existing poor water quality and a very low concentration of dissolved oxygen. Decomposing pond weeds and/or aquatic plants can also lead to oxygen depletion, causing the fish to suffocate and die. Some factors should be considered during treatment, including treatment timing, temperature, treatment methodology, herbicidal mode of action, and following correct label rates. This helps to minimize the risks of lowering the volume of dissolved oxygen in the water.
There is always a concern about whether aquatic herbicides are safe for a pond and its fish. If you correctly apply aquatic herbicide within the recommended amounts in bodies of water like lakes and ponds, then it will not harm the fish. There is also no risk involved for people, birds, pets, and other wildlife over a long-term period. However, some products do not have drinking water and swimming restrictions. Care should be taken while handling such broad-spectrum herbicides.
Precautions
Professional herbicides applicators should always pick the right product for every situation while considering the results and the needs of the surrounding community. Precautions should be taken when using aquatic herbicides to promote the safety of the environment and the person applying it (the applicator). This ensures that only the target plants and targeted weeds are affected by the products. The applicator should also pick an ideal time for spraying for maximum effectiveness. The wind speeds should be low, and there should be no rain six hours after using the herbicide.