Plant Management in Florida Waters

Hand Pulling

Labor intensive – may be limited to small areas – (for example, eradicate new invasive plant introduction)
Immediate control of small populations
Selective if water is clear and plants are readily distinguishable from intermixed, non-target plants
Long control duration – especially if roots are completely removed
Need suitable disposal area – preferably upland site close to control area
Use where other methods are not feasible or appropriate
- Shallow water where harvesters cannot operate
- Fast flowing waters where herbicide dose cannot be maintained near potable water intakes
- Near endangered species habitat
Sediment type
- Sediments may silt up control area and make locating plants difficult
- Sand or clay sediments may make complete root removal difficult – quick recovery
Water depth
- Easier to remove plants in less than 2-3 feet of water
- Deep water may require SCUBA gear
Water clarity – plants must be easily seen for thorough control
Plant characteristics
- May not be suitable for plants that fragment easily and whose fragments readily form new roots like hydrilla, Eurasian watermilfoil, or N. cristata
- Difficult for plants with deep (American lotus), extensive (spatterdock), or easily fragmented (torpedograss) rhizomes

Removing cattail or other emersed plants from around swimming areas, boat ramps or docks
Removing new infestations of invasive plants as part of eradication programs
- Hand pick water hyacinth or water lettuce that drifts onto a shoreline
- Pull emergsed Nymphoides cristata from small patches in lakes
- Divers search for and pull up newly discovered hydrilla around boat ramps

Facilitates hand pulling of plants especially in deeper water.

Deeper water in spring runs where herbicides and harvesting are not an option
Patrolling small areas to confirm eradication efforts for submersed invasive plants like hydrilla