Alligator Weed Control: How To Get Rid of Alligator Weed

Alligator Weed is an invasive aquatic weed species that originated from South America and is known for forming dense mats on water surfaces that hinder recreational water activities. Alligator Weed has been regarded by experts as being among the world's worst weeds because of how easily the plant outcompetes native plant species. 

If left untreated, Alligator Weed can become a serious ecological, economic and biological threat. The way Alligator weed does this is by creating a thick mat which can clog waterways, leading to a reduction in waterflow as well as depleting oxygen due to weed decay.

If you have Alligator Weed on your pond or water body, you will need the help of aquatic herbicides to treat the problem. Our DIY Alligator Weed treatment guide below offers expert advice and professional product recommendations which can help you to get rid of Alligator Weed with ease.

Identification

Before you can carry out a control program you need to make sure that you are, in fact, dealing with Alligator weed and not some other invasive species of aquatic weed. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods and produces, which can be a waste of time and money. Here are some facts and traits of Alligator weed so you know what they look like:

• Alligator Weed has long elliptical leaves that branch oppositely on smooth hollow stems.
• These Alligator Weed stems can reach up to 4 feet high and rise up out of the surface of the water. Alligator Weed also has a small white paper-like flower that looks similar to clover.
• The flowers can often grow in clusters and are located on a stalk that rises from the base of the leaf. 

Use the description and image above to help you to properly identify Alligator Weed on your water property. If you aren't totally sure you are dealing with invasive Alligator Weed, contact us and we will try to help correctly identify the weed for you.

Inspection

Once you have correctly identified Alligator Weed, proceed to an inspection. During this phase, you will locate the areas where Alligator Weed is concentrated as well as observe the conditions that may be helping the weed to thrive.

Where to Inspect

Alligator weed can grow just about anywhere, forming large patches on water and land. Alligator weed commonly invades freshwater sites, estuaries, lakes, rivers, streams, damp habitats, and various other types of wetlands.

What to Look For

Alligator weed can give itself away pretty easily because it is so fast-growing and dominant that it will stand out in aquatic areas even among other plants. Alligator weed has opposite leaves coming off a stem which is hollowed, which gives it the ability to float. In the summertime, alligator weed grows a white clover-like flower.

Treatment

Before handling any herbicides, make sure to have on the proper PPE in the form of gloves, glasses and a respirator mask. Our top herbicide recommendation labeled to effectively control Alligator Weed is Ecomazapyr 2 SL Aquatic Herbicide. Ecomazapyr 2 SL delivers broad-spectrum control, is easy to use, and is cost-effective. 

Step 1 - Mix the Ecomazapyr 2 SL

Before using Ecomazapyr 2 SL, you will need to calculate the size of the area to be treated by measuring and multiplying the area length times the width (length x width = square footage). To get acreage, you would need to take the square footage you calculated and divide by 43,560 (Square footage /43,560 = Acreage).

For large volume applications using a professional spray rig, apply at 4-6 pints per acre in up to 100 gallons of water.  For small spot treatment applications of Ecomazapyr using a hand sprayer or backpack sprayer, you can mix from a 0.5% concentration at 0.6 fl. oz. up to a 5% concentration a 6.5 fl. oz. in a gallon of water. 

Fill your spray tank with half the required amount of water, add in the appropriate measured amount of Ecomazapyr 2SL and then fill with the remaining amount of water. Agitate the sprayer well to mix the solution and you're ready to spray.

Step 2 - Spot Treat The Alligator Weed

Select a time in early morning or late evening when the wind is calm to prevent spray drift into unwanted areas when applying the Ecomazapyr 2 SL mixture. Adjust the nozzle on the spray wand to a narrow spray pattern to allow for good coverage without an over-concentration of the herbicide.

Spray the leaves of the Alligator Weed, but do not apply the herbicide to the point of runoff to reduce the likelihood of contamination to the water in the area. 

Check back after a few days to see the results of your application. Reapply as needed to achieve total control of Alligator Weed. 

Prevention

After you have treated the Alligator Weed on your property, they should no longer be an issue. However, it is important to put in place some preventative measures to ensure that Alligator Weed doesn't return.

• Alligator Weed spreads mainly from seed or fragmentation. To keep Alligator Weed from coming back, if you are active on your waterbody, make sure to keep everything clean. This means that any equipment you use, your boat or anything else that comes in contact with the water should be cleaned.
• We also suggest applying Vision Pond Dye to your water body. This product is a filtering agent, and helps to reduce vegetation growth.
• Apply at a rate of 1 quart per surface acre of water at a 5-foot average depth. Add the product into a bucket then pour directly into your pond or water body at the edge. The water's natural movement will disperse the dye.
• Using Ecomazapyr 2SL periodically can also work as a preventative measure. Monitor your water body regularly to make sure there isn't anything out of the ordinary growing. Early detection and removal will keep Alligator Weed from reestablishing.

Key Takeaways

What is Alligator Weed?

• Alligator weed is an invasive weed species that can form thick mats and take over a water body. Alligator Weed infestations can get so bad that they can even spread onto land.

How to Get Rid of Alligator Weed

• Ecomazapyr 2 SL has proven to deliver the best results in eradicating Alligator Weed and is our go-to recommendation for control.

Preventing Alligator Weed Reinfestation

• Vision Pond Dye can be a great preventative measure to keep the Alligator Weed weed from returning. 
• Periodic applications of Ecomazapyr 2SL can also aid in reducing the chances of Alligator Weed re-emerging on a water body.