By the time the material decomposes, the milfoil patches will be dead as long as all plants were completely covered. Snohomish County staff reported native aquatic plants colonizing burlap areas that covered pioneering patches of Eurasian watermilfoil. When using this technique for Eurasian watermilfoil eradication projects, divers should recheck the screen within a few weeks to make sure that all milfoil plants remain covered and that no new fragments have taken root nearby. In this photo, bottom screening material is being prepared prior to installation around a boat dock. Bottom screens can be installed by the home owner or by a commercial plant control specialist.
Installation is easier in winter or early spring when plants have died back.
In summer, cutting or hand-pulling the plants first will facilitate bottom screen installation. Research has shown that much more gas is produced under bottom screens that are installed over the top of aquatic plants. The less plant material that is present before installing the screen, the more successful the screen will be in staying in place. Bottom screens may also be attached to frames rather than placed directly onto the sediment. Advantages Installation of a bottom screen creates an immediate open area of water.