E. crassipes form mats that clog waterways making fishing impossible and reduces water flow. Mats may
double their size in as little as 6 - 18 days [5]. It degrades water quality by blocking the air-water interface and
greatly reducing oxygen levels in the water, eliminating underwater animals such as fish and greatly reduces
bio-diversity: mats eliminate native submersed plants by blocking sunlight, alter immersed plant communities by
pushing them away and crushing them, and also alter animal communities by blocking access to the water and/or
eliminating plants the animals depend on for shelter and nesting [7]. Millions of dollars a year used to be spent on
water hyacinth control [8]-[10]. Several methods have been developed to help in its management: mechanical
harvesters and chopping, biological controls (insects, fish) and use of water hyacinth registered aquatic herbicides