Control Horsetail

Many people ask how to get rid of horsetail. The following options can be considered for how to control horsetail.

Click here to read more about identifying this plant.

Manual/Mechanical Control:

If you are considering how to remove horsetail, physically cutting this plant and digging up the rhizomes can be a somewhat effective method of control. However, physical control can be difficult. Horsetail can re-grow from any rhizomes or spores remaining in the area.

Herbicide Control:

Horsetail is a tough reed to control with herbicides. It has minimal surface area above the waterline to foliar sprays, and does not uptake much herbicide from applications to water. The following herbicides have been shown to have some level of control of horsetail reeds:

1. Cattail and Water Lily Control (Imox + surfactant) (for ponds or lakes) – liquids that are mixed and diluted with water and sprayed on the exposed parts of the plants.
2. Dibrox (for ponds or lakes) – liquid that is diluted with water and sprayed over the plants, fast acting.
3. Liquid 2, 4-D (for ponds or lakes) – liquid that is diluted with water and sprayed over the plants. Most effective on treatment areas larger than a half acre, this allows longer contact exposure time. This will give some control.

Treatment Tips:

When treating horsetail,

• With Imox or other systemic herbicides, treatment is most effective when the plants are mature or close to full grown. This allows for more plant surface to spray enough mixture on.
  • Treat in late summer to early fall to get better kill of the root systems. At this time, plants are pulling energy into their roots to store for the winter.
• With other herbicides, treat when the plants are established and actively growing.