Posts by Paul Kretsch
Pond Predators
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…
Read MoreEssential Pond Care and Management Tips
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.…
Read MorePrepare Your Pond for the Fall and Winter Months
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,…
Read MorePreserving Lakes
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…
Read MoreAquatic Pesticides Water Use Restrictions
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 …
Read MoreHow to Keep Geese Out of Your Yard
The Most Effective Way to Keep Geese Out of Your Yard 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.…
Read MoreLAKEMAID Lake Weed and Muck Removal Machine
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.…
Read MoreUsing Nutrient Reducers to help slow down algae growth.
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…
Read MoreUsing a fountain in your pond to keep water clear and lively
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…
Read MoreToxic Algae: What it is and how to prevent it
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…
Read MoreSteps to Prevent Mid-Summer Algae Blooms
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…
Read MoreHow to Keep Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Pest Away This Summer
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…
Read More7 Spring Backyard Cleanup Tips
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…
Read MoreHow to Prevent Weed and Algae Takeover
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…
Read MoreDo you have a Geese Problem?
Have geese made their way back to your lawn? Keep the geese out. Protect your shoreline while allowing easy dock access. Or, protect an entire pond by enclosing the perimeter. Geese prefer easy access to grass and need to drink water about every 30 minutes. Enjoy walking bare foot on your lawn again. The Goose…
Read MoreWhen Should I Dye My Pond?
When to Dye Your Pond Pond dyes can be applied at any time. We recommend dying your pond in the spring to help reduce weed growth. This will significantly filter the amount of sunlight that gets to the underwater plants and algae, effectively slowing their growth and limiting the amount of regrowth you’ll experience throughout…
Read MoreIs your pond ready for Spring?
The birds are chirping, the snow is finally melting and the temperatures are rising. Your pond is starting to wake up because spring is finally here! Do you need to clean your pond out? The best time for pond management is in the spring time before the water temperature creeps above 55°F. In April the…
Read MorePond Ice Rinks: A Great Way to Enjoy your Pond All Year Long!
It can be a sad time of year when we have to hang up the hat on our summer pond time. But that doesn’t mean that all of your good-time pond-time has to end. It’s easy to turn those hours of summer enjoyment into winter fun with a pond ice rink. If you turned off…
Read MoreString Algae Control is Vital to the Health of your Pond
Spirogyra, a.k.a. string algae, is an aquatic plant comprised of cylindrical cells that form long, thin, green filaments that can look like hair floating in the water of your lake, pond, or water feature. It is quite common to find this algae in fresh water and it tends to grow in large, slimy masses. In…
Read MorePond Dredging is a Last Resort — Try Weed Control and Management First
Pond dredging is complicated and expensive. Clearing a small pond can cost several thousand dollars while a larger one could cost you over $10,000. Hard to believe? Here are some things to consider in the cost: rental of the machinery, the necessary expert contractor to operate it, and the planning and costs of weed and…
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