There are fourteen general herbicide compounds registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for use in Florida waters. Multiple products (trade names) are available for many of these active ingredients.

This section and related links address the many parameters considered by FWC biologists when issuing permits for aquatic plant control using herbicides, and when developing management plans for public lakes and rivers for which FWC is responsible. Management objectives are influenced by public uses and the ecological functions of water bodies and watersheds. Expectations and outcomes are influenced by the interactions among herbicides and environmental factors for each control event.

These considerations reflect nearly forty years of research and operational experience in managing aquatic plants in Florida waters. The importance of each parameter varies for different herbicides.