A. Water chestnut seeds can live for 12 years before growing, and this makes complete eradication very difficult. It is likely that control efforts will need to continue on some level. However, with a monitoring program in place, and swift, corrective actions, keeping populations extremely low is possible. Our plan is to remove as many plants as possible by mechanical and hand harvesting. Unfortunately, these methods are not always effective.
Some areas are too shallow for mechanical harvesters to operate.
Pulling by hand is possible in small areas, but water chestnut beds in shallow flats or coves may be too big for hand harvesting to be entirely successful. Only as a last resort would the absolute minimum amount of herbicide be used. The herbicide used to control water chestnut, 2,4-D, is one of the most thoroughly tested chemicals in the world. It has been tested extensively by federal and state agencies and deemed safe for aquatic use when used appropriately. Previous applications throughout the United States have had no adverse affects on wildlife.