How to Kill Cattails? This might seem a normal question to you, but it is not as easy as it seems. Cattails and phragmites are extremely invasive aquatic plants that can be extremely difficult to remove. Though these plants can be quite beautiful and beneficial to an ecosystem in small amounts, cattails and phragmites will grow exponentially until they eventually choke out the surrounding ecosystem. Since both aquatic plants have extensive rhizome (root) systems, they can be extremely difficult to kill.
How to Kill Cattails?
Now you are wondering about How to Kill Cattails. Well, even if you cut phragmites or cattails one by one, there is a chance you will leave some of the rhizome, in which case the plant will regrow in no time. These invasive plants can sometimes feel impossible to remove; however, with the proper approach to your situation, you should be able to kill off your cattails and phragmites without too much strain.
Cutting and Pulling
Phragmites
Removing phragmites through cutting and pulling is an option that is accessible for all since it doesn’t require fancy tools, though it is not always effective. Hand pulling is quite a tedious approach, especially if the phragmites have had the chance to develop their extensive underground rhizome systems.
These rhizome systems must be fully removed when hand-pulling; otherwise, the phragmites will regrow. Hand cutting with shears and scissors can be just as tedious as pulling, though both are possible if you only have a small growth of phragmites.
If hand pulling and cutting sounds too tedious, tools such as an aquatic rake, a weed whacker, or a brush cutter can make killing phragmites less exhaustive. An aquatic rake can be used to pull up the plants though once again, you may not be truly removing the extensive rhizomes, which will only lead to a quick regrowth.
A weed whacker or brush cutter can be used to cut the phragmites a few inches above the ground level but still below the meristem to demote possible regrowth.
Generally, cutting phragmites is more of a gamble than pulling phragmites since if you do not cut low enough, you may only be creating an ideal regrowth environment. That being said, pulling phragmites is quite a bit more tedious and exhausting, and you will never truly know at the time if you managed to pull up all of the rhizomes.
Both cutting and pulling phragmites tend to be most effective when the plant is already dead (either by the cold season or herbicides) or the ground is frozen since it will be less likely to grow back. No matter which method you choose, be sure to transport all of the phragmites somewhere where they will not be able to regrow, and carefully clean all of the equipment used to prevent seeds from being spread.
Cattails
How to Kill Cattails by just pulling them out? Much like with phragmites, cattails will be most effectively removed once they are dead (whether from the cold season or herbicides,) so wait until they are wilted to attempt to cut and pull them.
Cattails, like phragmites, have an extensive rhizome system that, if not dead when removing the plant, will only lead to a speedy regrowth. Though you have to wait to remove the cattails, do not wait too long since once the cattails wilt and brown, they will quickly begin to decompose, feeding future unwanted growths.
You can use the tools to remove the phragmites, such as the aquatic rake, to remove the dead cattails.
Herbicides
Phragmites
Though you may want to avoid using chemicals, as explained above, removing phragmites naturally can be a lot of work and, on top of that, not always effective. Generally, if you have very small growth, you should be able to kill them off with natural methods, which you should always try first to avoid harming the surrounding ecosystem. A safe rule of thumb is the smaller your body of water, the more potential for harm to the surrounding life.
If you have a larger body of water and a large population of phragmites, herbicides may be your best and most effective option to kill off the phragmites population. Currently, two chemicals are used to remove phragmites; glyphosate and imazapyr.
Since these chemicals can be very harmful to surrounding life, it is usually best to hire a professional who knows how to remove phragmites while causing the least harm. If you intend to remove the phragmites yourself, you may need a license, and you will likely only have access to glyphosate since it is far less dangerous and harmful than imazapyr.
To ensure that the herbicides will be effective, it is best to wait a few weeks (at least two) to ensure that the chemicals have reached the rhizome system. After this waiting period, if you are capable, you will want to pull or cut the phragmites to ensure the least possible chance of regrowth.
Cattails
How to Kill Cattails using herbicides? Well, the only effective way to remove large amounts of cattails and prevent regrowth is to use herbicides. However, remember that small amounts of cattails benefit an aquatic ecosystem. Herbicides should be applied to the cattails at least 12-18 inches of growth to maximize the chemicals’ effectiveness.
Similarly, to phragmites, you will want to wait at least a few weeks (one to two weeks at least) to allow the chemicals time to kill the root system down below. After two weeks, the rhizomes and exposed cattails should be dead, and you will be able to remove the cattails using the methods above. Do not wait too long to remove the cattails since this can allow for regrowth or decomposition, which will only feed next year’s regrowth.
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Conclusion
Phragmites and cattails are invasive aquatic species with extensive rhizome systems, making them seem impossible to remove. Though killing these aquatic plants is not always easy, it certainly is not impossible. Knowing what you are dealing with is important to ensure your approach is effective.
Do you have a large body of water and a huge number of cattails, phragmites, or a small body of water with a small amount of these aquatic plants? When you consider your situation and use the best approach to removing cattails/phragmites, killing off this invasive species is much less difficult than expected. At Karina Lakefront Maintenance, it’s their mission to protect the environment while restoring your lakefront.
