Fish Game Publ. Cultivation killed cattail on areas where the soil could be dried and foliage burned prior to tillage. Fire alone killed cattail where foliage was removed to ground level and the stems remained flooded after fire. Fall spraying of Dalapon was effective, but did not provide complete control. Various explosives also may be used to blast openings in cattail.
Water control remains the key to cattail control.
Drying alone can kill cattail in one season if root stocks are killed by discing or tilling, or in 2 years of drought without discing. In areas that cannot be dried, any reduction of water levels after cut, crushed, or burned stems are reflooded will result in re-establishment of cattail seedlings. Although benefits from cattail control can be immediate and positive for waterfowl and other marsh wildlife, assessment of costs and benefits should precede all large-scale control efforts.