Methods used include spraying herbicide, biological controls, mechanical removal as well as habitat modification.
Removing large amounts of plants from the water can have a positive impact on the daily oxygen levels in shallow aquatic environments.
[9] Mechanical cutting has short term effect, which makes it a good method to use with the purpose of harvesting nutrients and promoting regrowth of the plants.
[10] However, the equipment used for cutting is expensive, and this method is also nonselective, often damaging non-target plants, habitats, and animals.
This method of harvesting has a tendency to remove large portions of macroinvertebrate, semi-aquatic vertebrate, and fish populations.
[8] Mechanical cutting is commonly used in heavily infested areas because of its speed and efficiency, however this leaves behind large amounts of dead plants free floating in the environment.
Hydro-rakings holds the same challenges as rotovating, with the potential to indirectly spread species, damage more plants than necessary, and create turbidity by suspending sediment.
[8] Pulling by hand or suction harvesting are diver/snorkeler operated, highly selective methods of removing aquatic plants.
Vacuum suction removes the entire plant (stem, leaves, roots) including the surrounding sediment from the floor of the aquatic environment.
Manual removal is a slow, inefficient process that is often only performed on small vegetative communities in underdeveloped areas.