Control Options

There are several categories of control options for aquatic plant management in Florida. Control options are selected according to a host of considerations such as the species of invading plants, conditions in the field, potential impacts on people and wildlife, availability, time and cost. Often, more than one option is selected to control aquatic plants. This technique is known as Integrated Plant Management (IPM).

Managers strive to choose control options that will place invasive aquatic plants under maintenance control.

Biological Control: the use of certain tested fish, insects, diseases and other organisms to manage invasive plants

Herbicidal Control: the use of aquatic herbicides, specially developed and approved for use in wet places, to manage invasive plants

Mechanical Control: the use of machines, large and small, to remove or otherwise manage invasive plants

Physical Control: the use of hand labor, drawdowns, dies, bottom barriers, sediment removal and nutrient control to manage invasive plants

No Control: regarding invasive aquatic plants, "no control" is usually not an option

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The Creators of this Web Site

A collaboration of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, and the Invasive Plant Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
This page is maintained by Alison Moss.