HOW DO PEOPLE PAY FOR YOUR SERVICES?
When homeowners decide to start an aquatic plant or algae management plan, they usually collect the funds on a voluntary basis, through a Lake Board or a Special Assessment District (SAD). Establishing a Lake Board or a SAD will allow the funds to be collected through property taxes. We have found that collecting on a voluntary basis from year to year can become a troublesome task.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO TREAT THE WATER?
Every location is different and we treat only as needed, but in most cases, we treat the water about three to four times during the summer months of May, June, July and August.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
For most lakes and larger ponds we use outboard-powered boats specially equipped to evenly distribute the liquid or granular products across the treatment area. For smaller ponds we use pressurized backpack sprayers to apply the products evenly across the waterbody. We also use we use aquatic plant harvesters to cut and remove large weed problems for immediate results.
ARE ANY OF THESE PRODUCTS HARMFUL TO THE SURROUNDINGS?
According to the federal label, you can enter the water just after aquatic herbicides or algaecides were applied without any harmful effects. We still do post the treated waterbody with a 24 hour swimming restriction to allow the newly applied treatment products to have enough contact with the plants to be effective. Any recreational activities can stir up sediments, reducing the products effectiveness.
WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS FROM THE TREATMENT?
Plants show signs of weakening by discoloring, elongating or wilting before it’s eventual death within two weeks. Filamentous Algae begin to discolor in three to four days and Planktonic Algae will disapear within one to two days. Dead tough stemmed plants will stand until waves or wind break them up.
WHERE DO THE DEAD PLANTS GO?
Some plants with weak stems could break off and float temporarily, but most decaying plants and algae sink to the bottom after they die, where microscopic organisms will break down the materials leaving a fine silt to settle on the bottom.
WILL WATER QUALITY CHANGE AFTER TREATMENTS?
A slight decrease in oxygen levels could occur do to recycling of the decaying plant materials within the ecosystem, but this is only a temporary effect.
WILL WE HAVE LESS PLANT GROWTH NEXT SEASON?
Well established nuisance plants usually remain a problem every year. If treatments were applied before seed production, you may have a reduction in plant growth. Nuisance plant management is a yearly battle.