Aquatic Herbicides Description of Method Aquatic herbicides are chemicals specifically formulated for use in water to kill or control aquatic plants. However, individual states may also impose additional constraints on their use. Aquatic herbicides are sprayed directly onto floating or emergent aquatic plants or are applied to the water in either a liquid or pellet form.
Systemic herbicides are capable of killing the entire plant.
Contact herbicides cause the parts of the plant in contact with the herbicide to die back, leaving the roots alive and capable of regrowth. Non-selective herbicides will generally affect all plants that they come in contact with. Permits are required for all herbicide applications to bodies of water one acre or larger. Permits are also required for herbicide treatment to waterbodies less than one acre that have an outlet to a stream or another waterbody. Each potential application site is evaluated by an Ecology permit writer.