Control Southern Naiad (Bushy Pondweed)

Southern naiad, also known as bushy pondweed, can be tough to control manually but easy with herbicides. The following options can be considered for how to control southern naiad.

Click here to read more about identifying this plant.

Manual/Mechanical Control:

If you are considering how to remove southern naiad, physically pulling this plant and digging up the roots can be a somewhat effective method of control. However, physical control can be difficult. Southern naiad can re-grow from any fragments or roots remaining in the water.

Herbicide Control:

There are multiple options for how to kill southern naiad that offer great control.

1. Dibrox (for ponds or lakes) – liquid that is diluted with water and sprayed over the plants, fast acting.
2. Spritflo (for ponds with no outflow) – liquid that is poured and spreads throughout the entire body of water, offers extended control.
3. Semera or Flumigard (for ponds or lakes) – granules that are dissolved and mixed or liquids that are mixed and diluted with water and sprayed over the plants (early morning is best), fast acting.
4. Hydrothol (for lakes) – granules that are broadcast over the plants, fast acting.

Treatment Tips:

When treating southern naiad,

• Spritflo can be used at the first signs of growth.
• With other herbicides, treat when the plants are established and actively growing.
• Southern naiad looks similar to some other naiads and pondweeds. While treatment is the same for most of them, pondweeds are better controlled with Spritflo or Hydrothol than the other herbicides listed.