Best Practices For Managing Aquatic Vegetation

Lakes are ubiquitous in Florida. Natural and man-made, small and large, manicured and wild, they dot the landscape like rhinestones on a Dolly Parton gown. And though attractive, all those lakes require upkeep — because untamed bodies of water can easily mutate into unruly quagmires. Before you know it, you’ll be battling a formidable marine environment, which can be costly.

 Why You Need Vegetation Control in Your Lake
Failing to control pond and lake vegetation can make them inaccessible. Boating, fishing, and swimming become a dangerous hassle in neglected waters. Marine life also suffers. In worst-case scenarios, certain species may die off due to excessive aquatic vegetation. 

Weed Removal Techniques
So how do you keep things under control in your lake, pond, or stream? Traditionally, landscapers and groundskeepers use three techniques to manage aquatic vegetation.

Mechanical Weed Control
The most environmentally friendly method of aquatic vegetation control is mechanical weed removal, which simply means removing underwater plants by hand. But it’s an unpleasant job that takes a very long time and costs a fortune. After all, mechanical weed control requires paying people to wade in the water for hours on end to pick up seaweed.

It’s also inefficient because the vegetation continues to grow during the picking process. So once you’re done, the cycle starts all over again.

Biological Weed Control
Another eco-friendly aquatic weed control method involves stocking lakes with fish that consume heaps of vegetation, like the Triploid Grass Carp and Mozambique Tilapia. A single Triploid Grass Carp can provide 10 to 13 years of vegetation control. They get unfettered access to leafy pond weeds — their version of caviar — and the water stays under control. It’s a win-win.

Similarly, Mozambique Tilapias enjoy algae and floating vegetation, like duckweed. Since the species can’t survive in waters cooler than 55 degrees, marine control specialists stock lakes with Mozambique Tilapias in the spring when the pond water is over 60 degrees.

What makes this method somewhat less environmentally sound than the manual method is that you’re introducing fish species to a body of water in which they may prove intrusive and crowd out other native animals. However, under the supervision of a trained professional, it’s typically not a problem.

Chemical Weed Control
Though it’s the least eco-aware option, chemicals are the most cost-effective. A single person with a commercial tank can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Moreover, not all chemicals are dangerous and destructive, and most companies now use formulas with minimal environmental impact.

Apartment complexes and homeowners with pond features are wise to use lake management companies in Florida instead of doing it themselves. The professionals have the expertise to ensure everything goes smoothly.