If you’ve never been responsible for a pond or lake before, you’ll probably be surprised by how quickly weeds can get out of hand. One day, you’re enjoying your peaceful lagoon, and then – BAM! – almost overnight, your pond or lake has a thick layer of green gunk on it. The dense mats created by these aquatic weeds block sunlight and suck up oxygen, hurting fish and other wildlife in the pond or lake and generally wreaking havoc on the environment.

Preventing and treating overgrown weeds is a delicate task that requires knowledge about the ecology of the local area. The experts at Estate Management Services know the ins and outs of common plant species, and how best to deal with them.

Top Strategies for Combating Aquatic Weeds

Estate Management uses three different approaches for preventing and treating aquatic weeds, often in combination with each other for maximum effectiveness. Chemical herbicides, manual removal, and biological strategies such as introducing other organisms, can all play a part in controlling weeds. Each method has its advantages and challenges, which is why Estate Management Services creates holistic plans using all of the tools at our disposal.

Chemical Treatment

The comprehensive herbicide treatment that Estate Management Services experts use is made with chemicals that not only hinder the growth of weeds, but are also formulated to improve water quality and maintain balance within the pond or lake’s natural ecosystem.

The treatment we apply depends on the unique characteristics of the pond or lake we’re treating. We take into account the specifics of the landscape and which weeds are causing the most issues. Some treatments are injected into the water, some are applied to the surface, and some are sprayed directly on the plants. Treatments can be broad, or narrowly targeted to certain weeds.

Selecting the proper herbicide mixtures and treatments is only one part of the equation. Proper execution is key. Estate Management Services assess how the area’s ecology and landscape might impact our treatments, and adjust. In flowing water, where herbicides can quickly disperse, we might use specialized formulations or methods like barriers to hold the herbicide in place. In calm water, where the herbicide's location is easier to manage, we take precautions to avoid overuse to protect non-target plants and wildlife.

We also make sure every herbicide we apply is in contact with the weeds and water for a long enough time. This is to ensure that herbicides are doing their job in lower, more environmentally friendly concentrations. We only use herbicides certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and other authoritative bodies, and keep a close eye on the ponds and lakes we treat to make sure everything is staying balanced and healthy.

Biological Treatment

Sometimes, we take advantage of the food chain to help control weeds in ponds and lakes. Introducing organisms like fish and insects – or even small bacteria and fungi – is one biological way to combat weeds, providing more competition for resources. The grass carp (or White Amur) is one common herbivorous fish that is a perfect trash disposal for weeds, eating huge amounts quickly. Pathogens like bacteria and fungi can infect weeds and hinder their growth. We can also be proactive in planting the types of native vegetation that we want to see. With care, these plant populations can outpace invasive weeds.

Biological control methods are environmentally friendly, and can be self-sustaining, but they’re certainly not simple. Coming up with biological control plans requires a lot of scientific knowledge and vigilant monitoring to make sure they’re not damaging the overall ecosystem.

Mechanical Treatment

The most intuitive way we get rid of invasive weeds is through mechanical means. In layman’s terms: yankin’ them out. Rakes and shovels can get the job done for smaller infestations, but for larger jobs, we use specialized harvesters and conveyor units to remove growth. These large machines, self-propelled by paddlewheel, cut through weeds and transport them out of the lake or pond onto a barge. On the barge, the weeds are dried out and compacted for easier transportation and removal.

Mechanically removing weeds produces fast results and is helpful for getting dense infestations out of the water to make it better for swimming, fishing, and recreation.

A Holistic Approach to Weed Control

Aquatic weed control efforts often fail because the people applying them don’t know enough about the ecology they’re working with, they’re relying too much on one type of solution, or they aren’t careful enough in their monitoring. The experts at Estate Management Services begin every job with a thorough inspection of your pond or lake, assessing not only the weeds, but the health of the entire ecosystem. Healthy water ecosystems don’t have significant overgrowth problems; we attack the issue at the source.

Types of Aquatic Weeds We Fight:

Toxic Hazards

Most aquatic weeds are not toxic to humans, but blue-green algae pose a threat to people and fish that enjoy your pond and lake. Estate Management Services knows how to defeat this insidious enemy.

Out-of-Control Allies

Some aquatic weeds are great for your pond or lake in small doses, providing nutrients and fish habitat. However, they can still get out of hand. We make sure we treat the overgrowth of these plants without throwing the baby out with the bathwater:

1. Cattails
2. Bushy Pondweed

Underwater Pests & Shore Encroachers

These plants grow underwater and around the shore of ponds and lakes and can choke out natural habitats for wildlife and native flora:

1. Hydrilla
2. Eurasian Watermilfoil
3. Alligator Weed
4. Coontail
5. Phragmites
6. Torpedo Grass
7. Naiads
8. Milfoils
9. Slender Spike Rush
10. Primrose
11. Fanwort
12. Curly-leaf Pondweed
13. Brazilian Elodea

Surface Chokers

There are many kinds of aquatic weeds that form dark, dense mats on the surface of the water, depriving the environment of oxygen and sunlight. We battle many of these, including:

1. Water Hyacinth
2. Duckweed
3. Water Lettuce
4. Giant Salvinia
5. Fragrant Water Lilies
6. Calla Lilies
7. Filamentous Algae
8. Bladderworts

Our aquatic management teams are headed by top ecologists, scientists, biologists and resource specialists in their field. We have a profound respect and love for waterways and ponds and lakes, and do this work as a commitment to the environment, wildlife, and fellow humans. A healthy community has healthy bodies of water to enjoy.

Schedule a Free Pond or Lake Management Property Inspection

Estate Management Services treats every pond and lake we care for with specialized attention. Before you begin any services with us, one of our trained experts will evaluate your property and provide a detailed estimate for your weed control needs. This inspection is completely free of fees or obligations. We’re excited to speak with you about your water quality goals.