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How to Control Spike Rush

close up spike rush

Eleocharis spp.

More Info & Photos of Spike Rush

Non-Herbicide Management Options

1. Physical Management Options

Spike Rushes can be cut, and the rhizomes can be dug up. However, physical control is difficult because it can re-establish from seeds or remaining rhizomes.

2. Biological Management Options

At this time, there are no known biological controls for Spike Rushes; although, goats are known to forage on many types of emergent vegetation.

Herbicide Control Options

Always read the product label for directions and precautions, as the label is the law. Click on the name of the product to see the label. Read the label for specific water use restrictions.

The active ingredients that have been successful in treating Spike Rush include:

  • Diquat (Rated: Good)
  • Fluridone (Rated: Good)

These rating are based upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aquatic herbicide trials.

1) Diquat

Diquat is a contact algaecide and herbicide. Contact herbicides act quickly and kill all plant cells they come in contact with.

Common trade or product names include but are not limited to:

  • Reward
  • Harvester
  • Tribune
  • Tsunami DQ
  • Diquat SPC2L
  • Weedtrine

2) Fluridone

Fluridone is a broad spectrum, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides.

Common trade and product names include but are not limited to:

  • Sonar
  • Avast

Precautions

One danger with any chemical control method is the chance of an oxygen depletion after the treatment caused by the decomposition of the dead plant material. Oxygen depletion can kill fish in the pond. If the pond is heavily infested with weeds, it may be possible (depending on the herbicide chosen) to treat the pond in sections and let each section decompose for about two weeks before treating another section. Aeration, particularly at night, for several days after treatment may help control the oxygen depletion.

One common problem in using aquatic herbicides is determining area and/or volume of the pond or area to be treated. To assist you with these determinations see SRAC #103 Calculating Area and Volume of Ponds and Tanks.

Many aquatically registered herbicides have water use restrictions (See General Water Use Restrictions).

To see the labels for these products click on the name. Always read and follow all label directions. Check label for specific water use restrictions.

Cultivation Options

Spike Rushes can be propagated by transplanting whole plants with rhizomes into shallow water areas during the winter or early spring.

Questions?

If you need assistance, contact the Ag & Natural Resources agent in your county or hire a professional.

2023 Aquatic Webinars

Jun 20: Fish Management Strategies

Jul 18: To Treat or Not to Treat: Late Season Management

Aug 15: Water Quality for Fisheries Management

Sep 19: Common Aquatic Vegetation Management Mistakes

Oct 17: Liming and Clearing Ponds

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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