Aquatic / Invasive Weed Control

Our Department is responsible for monitoring and controlling aquatic and invasive vegetation species on County property. 

CATTAILS IN LAKE   GO TO PROTECT YOUR WATERS.NET

 

AQUATIC WEEDS       

 

Weed complaints are handled to:

 

1) insure navigation (clear boat access) through county canals and waterways, 

2) control invasive species that may be overtaking native aquatic vegetation, 

3) maintain drainage to/from waterways,  and

4) control vegetation species known to breed mosquitoes. 

 

Our purpose is not aesthetic in nature; we do not maintain aquatic plant life to make county lakes and "look nice."  

 

 

 

Aquatic weeds treated by our department (or contracted out for treatment) are shown below.

 

START OF TUSSOCK IN LAKE MACHINE USED TO REMOVE TUSSOCKS

READ MORE ABOUT TUSSOCKS Tussock 

 

A tussock is a body of plant roots that have broken off and clumped together to form a "floating island."  Tussocks are chopped up with a cookie cutter and collected and removed with a harvester.  Tussock removal is done by outside contractors.

 

 

 

 

The following aquatic plants are some of the most frequent invasives we deal with.  They will be treated on county property when time and manpower permit.  Some species are also treated due to the fact that they help breed mosquitoes.

 

DUCKWEED WATER LILIES WATER LETTUCE
DUCKWEED   WATER LILY

READ ABOUT WATER LETTUCEWATER LETTUCE  

WATER HYACINTH CLICK TO LEARN ABOUT HYDRILLA CATTAILS

READ ABOUT WATER HYACINTHWATER HYACINTH  

 

READ ABOUT HYDRILLAHYDRILLA

is a very invasive plant that clogs boat waterways and boat propellars.  Boats that are not cleaned well risk transferring the hydrilla from one water way to another.

CATTAILS  

LARVA BREATHING THROUGH PLANT STEM

mosquito breathing through plant stem

 

GO TO UNIV OF FLORIDA AQUATIC PLANT WEBSITE

This is a great resource for more information on aquatic weeds in Florida.

 

 

 

HIGHLAND INVASIVE WEEDS

 

 

Invasive weeds on county property are treated in an effort to preserve native plant communities which can be choked out and eliminated by aggressive invasive species.

 

 

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BRAZILIAN PEPPER

BRAZILIAN PEPPER   A particular nuisance to our county is the Brazilian Pepper (BP) plant, which is not allowed in the county due to its extremely invasive nature.  BP on private property must be eliminated and property disposed of.  Hernando County has an ordinance pertaining to BP, which can be viewed below.  BP seen on county property should be reported to Mosquito Control, while BP seen on private property should be reported to Code Enforcement at 352-754-4056.

 

 Read BP Ordinance  READ BRAZILAN PEPPER ORDINANCE

 

 

 

The other plant species shown below are a problem throughout Florida.  Our department will treat these species if found on country property, providing we have the necessary time and manpower available.

 

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AIR POTATO

AIR POTATO LEAF

AIR POTATO BULBS
READ ABOUT THE AIR POTATO AIR POTATO VINE   AIR POTATO LEAF AIR POTATO BULBS
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SKUNK VINE CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COGON GRASS CLICK TO LEARN ABOUT SODA APPLE
READ ABOUT SKUNK VINE SKUNK VINE  READ ABOUT COGON GRASS COGON GRASS  READ ABOUT SODA APPLE SODA APPLE 

 

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15400 Wiscon Rd., Brooksville, Florida 34601      Phone: 352-540-6552      Peter Taylor- Director