What is the best time to apply aquatic herbicides for optimal effectiveness?

The best time to apply aquatic herbicides for optimal effectiveness is late spring. During this period, many aquatic plants are actively growing and in their most vulnerable stages. Application of herbicides at this time takes advantage of the plants' increased metabolic activity, which allows them to absorb the herbicide more effectively.

Using herbicides too early in the spring may not be as effective because water temperatures can be lower, and plants may not be actively growing yet, resulting in less uptake of the chemical. Applying in mid-summer may present challenges such as mature plant structures that can resist treatment and potentially hamper the herbicide's action. Late summer applications can also be less effective as plants may start to die back or become less metabolically active in preparation for winter. Thus, targeting late spring strikes a balance between plant vulnerability and optimal herbicide effectiveness.