Articles

What Are Aquatic Herbicides?Aquatic herbicides are chemicals designed to control or eliminate overgrown, invasive, or otherwise unwanted aquatic plants and algae. Excessive aquatic plant growth can put a lot of pressure on a lake’s ecosystem. This can lead to fish kills and other problems, so it is important to monitor and manage the plants in…

As ponds age, they accumulate nutrients in a process called eutrophication. This enrichment process stimulates the growth of aquatic life. As time passes and organisms live and die, material in the pond accumulates, resulting in a buildup of nutrients and sediment that can cause excessive plant growth and reduce the lifespan of a pond. As…

Hydrothol Granular is a contact herbicide and algaecide that is rapid-acting. It can be used to treat a wide range of underwater weeds, while simultaneously controlling problematic algae. Because it acts rapidly, it works effectively in slow moving water in addition to still water. It can be used in lakes and ponds, as well as in…

What Is Duckweed Exactly? Duckweed is a bright green, free-floating plant that is visible on the surface of a pond, lake, or slough. It is recognizable by its flat clover shape with two to five very small fronds (clover leaves), and one root that hangs beneath the surface. Duckweed is one of the smallest flowering plants…

What is an Algaecide? Algaecide is defined as “a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of algae” (dictionary.com). The most widely used algaecides contain copper as the active ingredient. Copper binds with the algae cells, quickly killing them. Lake Restoration’s best-selling algaecide, Mizzen®, is a liquid formulation of the most widely used algaecide, granular…

Before applying aquatic herbicides, consider some questions: What type(s) of weeds do you have? What is the treatment area (square footage and average depth)? What are your realistic expectations for the area? Once you have answered these questions, you can move to action: purchase a product that is labeled for effective control of the target…

When managing a pond, it is important to be aware of the many residents that will call it home. Birds, fish, amphibians, and rodents will flock to a well-kept pond. There will also be predators playing their part in the pond’s balanced ecosystem. You should make sure to monitor them and decide if you need…

Backyard ponds can be a great source of beauty and enjoyment for many homeowners. Having a pond in your backyard often adds a feeling of tranquility to your property. However, ponds can quickly fall into poor health and degradation if not maintained. Proper upkeep and pond management requires a commitment from a well-informed pond owner.…

It is a great idea to start winterizing your pond once the fall weather comes and the pond’s water temperature begins to approach 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The first step is reducing debris and other organic matter. Any organic material in your pond will decay during the winter and deplete the water of oxygen. Leaves, sticks,…

By Kevin Kretsch, President, Lake Restoration Inc. This article originally appeared in Lake Management Magazine   Managing the water quality of lakes can be a challenging job once invasive aquatic plants gain a foothold. But there are a variety of safe, cost-effective products and services on the market today that can help communities to preserve…

The table below details what to expect for water use restrictions after applying common aquatic pesticides. Always consult the product label of the pesticide you are using for this information. Product Name Swimming Drinking Water Domestic Use Fish Consumption Irrigation – Food Crop Irrigation -Turf/Ornamental Livestock Watering                …

Geese can cause a significant mess in your yard. They are coming to your lakefront or pond because you are close to a body of water, making it a convenient spot for them to be, since they can be close to a food source. You may have tried everything to keep them off your lawn…

Did you know there is a way to remove unwanted lake weeds and muck in as little as 24 hours? You can do this with help from the LAKEMAID® lake weed and muck removal system from Lake Restoration! You won’t have to strain yourself by removing weeds by raking them with a traditional lake rake.…

If you are like most people with a pond, you may be in a constant battle with algae and pond weed growth during the warmer months of the year. This is because aquatic plants thrive in warm weather and the conditions that it brings to your pond. Lack of water movement can create a buildup…

Have you ever looked at your pond or water feature and noticed that it looks a little… lifeless? You may even notice a foul smell coming from your pond. You are treating for weeds and algae, but you’re wondering if there is something else you can use to keep your pond healthy. Poor pond health…

In peak algae season all over the country, it is not uncommon for bodies of water to have at least a little bit of algae on them. High temperatures are perfect growing weather for algae. Algae is a normal part of a water ecosystem, but when algae overgrows rapidly, it can become dangerous. Toxic algae…

As the temperatures rise around the country this time of year, you may find that your pond is looking more green than usual. This is because warm temperatures, along with organic matter and excess nutrients in the water can create the perfect environment for very rapid algae growth. To keep a clear pond, especially at…

If you haven’t heard the news, ticks have been a major problem this year. Experts are saying the increase in tick population is due to the larger population of white footed mice that carry Lyme disease. The warmer weather and earlier heat up has helped mosquitoes breed and thrive this year as well. If you…

Spring cleaning can be a dreaded task, especially after a few months of neglecting your outdoor areas and spaces. Now that spring has sprung, take a walk around your yard, garden, and patio areas to assess what you’ll need to get done before summer hits. Get a jump on the project so when the weather…

Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to start gearing up to make sure your pond stays weed and algae free all season long! Pesky weeds and algae can make your pond unsightly, and they can take the fun out of having a water feature as part of your landscape. Lake Restoration has been in…