The first step in pond weed control is identifying the type(s) of invasive species growing your water. We have provided a list of common lake and pond weeds found in Minnesota. If you need help controlling pond weeds, please call 651-433-3283.
Problem Algae
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Filamentous – Algae Filamentous algae appears on the surface usually as “hair-like” and can often be thick and appear as if “bubbling”. Problem Solvers: Citrine Plus, Citrine Plus Granular, Hydrothol |
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Planktonic Algae Planktonic algae usually is visible during long, heat periods usually in later summer. It looks like someone spilled green paint in the body of water. Problem Solvers: Citrine Plus, Citrine Plus Granular, Hydrothol |
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Chara-Branched Algae Chara is an algae that is rooted and usually does not grow taller than two feet. Often looks like thick grass. Problem Solvers: Citrine Plus, Citrine Plus Granular, Hydrothol |
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Swimmers Itch Swimmers itch is common in our area from early spring to mid-July. It is caused by a parasite penetrating the skin. Problem Solver: Copper Sulfate |
Submersed Weeds
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Wild Celery Wild celery resembles ribbons and shapes growing above the surface of the water. Problem Solvers: Hydrothol, Navigate Granular |
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Eloeda Eloeda (Canada waterweed) is dark green in color and has a small white flower. The leaves are oval shaped. Problem Solvers: Hydrothol, Navigate Granular |
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Bushy Pondweed-Naiads Bushy pondweed is purple-green in color and the stem is slender and brittle. Problem Solver: Fluridone |
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Eurasian Watermilfoil Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive weed that mats at the surface making recreation very difficult. Leaves are in 3 or 4 groups. You may see red at the top of the plant. Problem Solvers: Fluridone, Clipper Herbicide, Reward Diquat, Navigate Granular |
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Northern Watermilfoil Northern Watermilfoil has purple brown stems and can be simple or branched. It is submerged except for its floral spike. Problem Solver: Fluridone |
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Curly-Leaf Pondweed Curlyleaf pondweed is an invasive weed with alternately arranged walloped edges. Problem Solvers: Fluridone, Clipper Herbicide, Aquathol Super K |
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Coontail Coontail resembles the tail of a raccoon and is olive to dark green in color. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Reward Diquat, Fluridone |
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Largeleaf Pondweed Largeleaf pond weed has broad leaves and thick, large stems. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Fluridone |
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Sago Pondweed Sago Pondweed’s stem is somewhat red, slender and branched. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Fluridone |
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American Pondweed American Pondweed has stems that reach up to two inches. The shape elliptical and the surface is waxy. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Fluridone |
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Water Stargrass Water Stargrass has long stems and has light yellow star shaped flowers. Problem Solvers: Hydrothol |
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Water Hyacinth Water Hyacinth is a real problem in the Southern United States . The plants are free floating, sometimes attached in mud. Plant height in variable from a few inches to three feet. The flower can be blue, violet or white. Problem Solvers: Hydrothol, Navigate Granular |
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Hydrilla Hydrilla is an exotic plant that easily grows to the surface and forms dense mats. The stems are long and branched. The leaves grow in whorls of four to eight. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Fluridone |
Free Floating Pond Weeds
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Common Duckweed Duckweed is green in color, with a round leaf the size of an eraser on a pencil and floats on the surface. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Fluridone, Reward Diquat |
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Giant Duckweed Giant Duckweed has multiple roots and the underside is usually red. Typically found in ponds. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide, Fluridone |
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Watermeal Watermeal is similar to duckweed that much smaller – the size of the lead of a pencil and floats on the surface of bodies of water. Problem Solvers: Clipper Herbicide |
Rooted Floating Weeds
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White Water Lily White water lily plants produce white flowers. The leaves are large and circular and float on top of the water. Problem Solvers: Fluridone, Navigate Granular |
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Yellow Water Lily (Spatterdock) Yellow water lilies have a yellow flower and the leaves are heart shaped. Problem Solvers: Fluridone, Navigate Granular |
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Watershield Watershield has a subtle purple flower and the leaves are two to five inches in size. Problem Solvers: Fluridone, Navigate Granular |
Emergent Weeds
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Cattail Cattails are emergent weeds that are usually found in swampy areas. The plant is long and slender and produces a brown stalk. Problem Solver: Shore-Klear |
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Bulrush Bulrush is usually found along the shoreline. It is leafy with triangular or round stems and may have a cluster of brownish flowers and seeds at the end. Problem Solver: Shore-Klear |
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Purple Loosestrife Purple loosestrife is an invasive weed that is visible usually starting in July in many areas of Minnesota. It is found in swampy areas and has a purplish color. Problem Solver: Shore-Klear |
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Smartweed Smartweed flowers in midsummer with dense pink, rose, or white flowers held erect above the water. The plants may be emergent in shallow water or completely submersed with only the flowers visible above the surface. Smartweed commonly grows in shallow water along shorelines. Problem Solver: Shore-Klear |
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Creeping Water Primrose The plant is generally found in shallow water. Water primroses can grow to 5 to 6 feet tall. Stem is hollow, red colored with many leaves covered by minute soft hairs on both sides. Problem Solver: Shore-Klear |