Q: Will treatment be harmful to the fish?

A: No, when done correctly, toxicity is never a concern of ours.  We apply these EPA-approved products at, and mostly below, the label rates, and those are safe for fish and other wildlife.  The only time we get concerned about fish is when it comes to oxygen depletion.  If a waterbody has an overabundance of vegetation, and we try to control it all in one treatment, it could lead to reduced oxygen levels and potential dangers to fish.  Our experienced team is trained to assess the water body for this concern at the time of treatment.  If the risk of oxygen depletion is high, we will reduce the treatment to target a smaller part of the waterbody and then return in 10-14 days to complete the treatment.  This step is a part of our standard process, and we do not charge anything extra for the return trip.  There are many variables to oxygen depletion, but an excellent way to help mitigate that risk is by adding a fountain or aeration to your waterbody.

Q: How long before we see the results of a treatment?

A: Depending on the target plant(s), treatment results will be achieved within 10-14 days.  You will begin to see visible impacts within 24 hours of an algae treatment and within 5-7 days of a weed treatment.

Q: Does my waterbody need a permit for treatment?

A: The States guidelines for permitting waterbodies are a) if the waterbody is over 10 acres or b) if there is potential outflow (in ponds, this is often a high-water overflow pipe).  We will help make this determination at the time of assessment, and we also handle the entire permitting process for our customers.

Q: Is a fountain beneficial for my pond?

A: Yes! Fountains and/or bottom diffused aeration are very beneficial for ponds. These tools help promote water movement and add oxygen to the water. This is very beneficial for fisheries and has been proven to increase the effectiveness of bacteria programs by over 50%!

Q: My beach is full of Lily Pads, can I treat those?

A: Yes! Although most Lily Pads are native to Michigan waterbodies, the State allows for 40x40ft areas to be treated for swimming and recreation, as well as 20-foot wide boat lanes to allow access to navigable water.

Q: How do you perform a treatment?

A: Our preferred method is to use our specialized treatment boats.  These boats are equipped with high-pressure pumps that allow us to spread product evenly throughout a treatment area, including subsurface injection to place the product directly on the target plants.  You'll see our boats in a pond as small as 0.1 acre!  If we cannot access the waterbody with our boat, we also have specialized backpack sprayers that allow us to treat from the shoreline if needed.

Q: What does it cost to have my waterbody assessed?

A: No cost assessments! We will happily review your waterbodies’ needs and provide recommendations free of charge.

Q: Is it safe to swim after treatment?

A: Most products used in our treatments have zero swimming restrictions.  However, our standard practice is to post a 24-hour swimming restriction after every treatment.  This helps maximize the treatment efficacy by preventing sediment from being stirred up, which could hinder results.

Q: How long is the treatment effective for?

A: This can depend on variables such as water temperature, water depth, current weather patterns, and ultimately, the nutrient load in the waterbody.  Algae will regrow faster than submerged weeds, but many of our treatment programs include phosphate binders and natural bacteria that reduce available nutrients in the water, slowing plant regrowth.  Most of our pond customers find monthly treatments from April through September to be the best fit.