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 live in a wooded area or are near a water source, you probably are well-aware of these pest issues. So how can you stop these pest in their tracks and maintain an enjoyable yard, free of pests?

Lake Restoration is now carrying a full line of pest control products, including products for use on ticks, adult mosquitoes, and mosquito larvae.

Most of the general pest control products can be sprayed indoors and outdoors on a variety of surfaces, including: lawn, turf, shrubs, greenhouses, kennels, parks, restaurants, warehouses, etc. These products are labeled for many pests, including: ticks, spiders, bed bugs, ants, mites, crickets, bees, wasps, cockroaches, etc. (see labels for full list of surface uses and pests controlled).

For specific pest, use the following products:

Mosquitoes

Larvae: Microbe-Lift (only works on mosquitoes and can be used in the TORMADA® application boat from Lake Restoration).

·         Apply to water with TORMADA® boat or sprayer every two weeks for full effects.

Adult mosquitoes: Bifen IT and Demon Max

·         These products can be used in a sprayer and should not be used in water.

·         Can be used on greenery, gardens, lawns and other area where mosquitoes are common.

·         Apply at average rates for adult mosquitoes.

 Ticks

Bifen IT, Demon Max, Cynoff EC, Talstar, and LambdaStar CS are all labeled to control ticks. These products can be sprayed on a variety of surfaces (check label restrictions on uses indoors and outdoors).

·         Do not spot treat areas for ticks, treat whole area where present.

·         Use higher rates of application for areas with heavy leaf litter.

·         Retreat during high-pest season times when necessary.

·         Continue treatments during season only if signs of tick activity still exist.

Deer Ticks: treat in late fall and/or early spring to low-lying vegetation

American Dog Ticks: Treat as needed along pathways and roadways, as needed, from mid-spring to early fall.

Other Pests

Excluding Microbe-Lift, all of our other pest products are labelled for many different types of pest and insects. See the individual product labels for complete lists of pest controlled and the surfaces and areas that these products can be used in.

Ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests can be a bother. Not only are they annoying, they can carry deadly diseases as well. Lake Restoration pest products will help keep your yard and structures free of pests, making your spaces safe and enjoyable. Visit LakeRestoration.com to shop and learn more about our pest control line. 

Summer is here! That means if you live by a lake or pond, you are exploring options on how to treat weeds and algae. Treating weeds and algae takes time and planning, and can sometimes be a daunting task depending on how accessible your water features are (and how easily you can get in a boat to treat your pond with a sprayer).

Do you have trouble getting into your water with a boat to be able to spray or dump product in your pond or dock and swim area? Do you want to take the chore out of treating for weeds and algae each year?

The TORMADA® application boat, manufactured by Lake Restoration, will solve those problems for you, making applying liquid product to your water simple and fun! With the TORMADA® application boat, you can stand at your dock or shore and empty product from the TORMADA® with a remote control.

The TORMADA® can be used with many liquid Lake Restoration herbicides and algaecides, and even some pest control products. Some products include:

·         Dibrox®

·         Mizzen®

·         Liquid 2,4-D

·         Liquid SparKlear®

·         Spritflo®

The TORMADA® comes in two different models. The standard TORMADA® comes ready to go right out of the box.  The TORMADA T2 also comes ready to go, but the boat features an electric ON/OFF valve that allows you to control the product outflow by remote. This allows you to drive to the product treatment are with the product valve closed.  Once the boat gets to the treatment site, you can open the valve and apply the product.

The battery operates for approximately 20 minutes on one charge, and the tank capacity is one gallon. The remote control allows you to control fan speed and direction. At under 3ft long and weighing only 20 pounds, the TORMADA® is easy to maneuver to your water area and is easy to clean.

Using the TORMADA®

Filling the TORMADA® with liquid products is easy and should be done on the shore before putting the TORMADA® in the water. Simply place a funnel into the opening on top of the TORMADA® and pour in product. Put the cap back on the tank opening and place the TORMADA® in the water. Turn the valve on the TORMADA® to the flow rate you would like (or adjust it on the T2 Series with the remote control). Planning your route ahead of time will help save product and time. Bring the TORMADA® back to shore and close the flow valve.

The TORMADA® will save you time and effort when treating your weeds this summer. There’s no better time to order than now to take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING* offer! Give it a try today!

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 can be caused by decaying leaves, excess nutrients, and lack of movement in the water. Having little movement in your pond can be an issue if you have fish because of the lack of oxygen in still waters. A pond with no movement can become a less-than-ideal environment for fish and a perfect environment for weed and algae growth.

A fountain, like the Vitaflume® Floating Fountain from Lake Restoration, is a great way to keep the water moving in your pond or water feature. It can help improve the health of your pond in many ways. They also look beautiful! Here are some ways your pond could benefit from a fountain.

1.        Movement in your pond can help with gas exchange

When you exchange water from in the pond to the air, you are increasing oxygen content in the water and reducing gas buildup. This can improve the smell of your pond. Oxygen will be absorbed by the water exposed to the air, and the gasses that have been trapped in the water will be released. This is letting your pond “breathe” and is a great benefit for the life of your pond.

2.        Fish will have more oxygen

As the weather and water warms up, there is less oxygen in the pond than there is during colder weather. Making sure there is enough oxygen in the pond during the warm weather months will ensure your fish won’t suffocate.

3.        Fountains will help improve water clarity

Keeping movement in your pond will prevent surface scum from forming. Movement from the fountain will continuously break up algae on the surface, preventing growth. Also, ponds with low oxygen may have excessive carbon dioxide levels, which provides perfect growing conditions for algae. Keeping water flow and movement will reduce nutrient levels, making it harder for algae to grow.

4.        Fountains will create a beautiful centerpiece for your waters

Fountains are a great way to add interest and beauty to your pond or water feature. If you are looking to add something more to your pond landscapes, a fountain is the perfect cherry on top for any waters. The Vitaflume® Fountain from Lake Restoration has a pump housing and filter that is made of high-quality stainless steel for durability, ensuring your fountain will last for years to come. Vitaflume® features an impeller for high volume, and is direct from the manufacturer, Lake Restoration, saving you money.

Fountains can add beauty and help improve the health of your pond. Vitaflume fountains impel 5,000 more gallons per hour than other leading brands. With optional lighting and spray patterns to choose from, you can customize the perfect fountain for your water.

Shop Vitaflume® at LakeRestoration.com.

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 warms up, you’ll be able to enjoy your yard and begin planting, landscaping, hosting parties, and more without having to do last-minute cleanup!

 1.) What’s Your Plan?
When you first walk into your yard, you might notice you haven’t taken a good look at your backyard in a few months. There may be more to be done than you expected. Walk around and make a list of the small and large tasks that can be taken care of right away. Plot a course of action for what can be done first, then think about what your overall goal is for some of the larger projects that arise. Also, make sure you have tools and equipment for repairing and cleaning.

• Broom
• Garbage bags or wheel barrel for debris
• Tree and plant trimmers
• Hammer, screw driver, and nails for small repairs
• Wash cloth and water
• Hose
• Touch-up paint for buildings 

2.) Garbage and Debris
As you’re walking around, you’ll notice any garbage laying around that may have blown into your yard. Take time to clean up any trash. Leaves and brush may have been left behind from fall. Rake any plant debris lying around and bag to use in compost or save as insulator for prepping plants for winter next fall. Do you have pets? Clean up any messes they’ve made that may create obstacles later on. 

3.) Assess Your Plants and Trees
How are your annual plants looking? Take time to trim and clean up their appearance, as well as the area surrounding them. Did the wind and storms damage any trees or plants? You may look around and see broken branches or a newly planted tree leaning slightly. Make sure you take any clearly broken parts of trees or plants off the plant, or pick them up from the surrounding area. Give your trees proper support (you may have to wait until the ground warms up to apply stakes for support if you live in a cold climate). Make note of any plants and trees that look like they won’t make it another season, and note where to remove and re-plant.

4.) Structure Repair and Cleanup
If you have a barn, pole barn, shed, lean-to, dog kennel, or any other type of structure in your yard that has been neglected in the last few months, check them out. Look for damage, areas to be cleaned out, and the overall look of the outside (if it will need a good washing), especially if it is an older structure.  If you live in a cold climate, winter can be tough on buildings, so make sure you know of any repairs that need to be taken care of before they will need to be used for summer. Take time to clean out cobwebs, dirt and dust, or rodent-takeover. Wash windows, re-paint siding, and fix leaking roofs.

5.) Pond and Backyard Water Features
Once the ice comes off your pond or water feature, it’s time to start thinking of how you are going to prevent weeds and algae from taking over this summer. Pond herbicides are a great way to combat your problems with floating or submerged weeds. Use a pond herbicide, such as Dibrox®, to tackle duckweed, milfoil, or hydrilla.  Dibrox® is quickly absorbed by the plants and you will see fast results.
If you have algae in your pond or water feature, using a chelated copper based algaecide will quickly control the filamentous algae.  As the temperatures start to climb, algae can return quite often.  Continue to use an algaecide, such as Mizzen®, to keep your water looking crystal clear. Lake Restoration, Inc., offers solutions to help you see clear and beautiful water in your pond or water feature all summer long.

6.) Patio Condition
      If you have a porch, deck, or patio area, you probably need to clean and repair anything that needs some T.L.C before you host any summer get-togethers. Clean and wash any patio furniture you have (chairs, tables, umbrellas, cushions, etc.). Sweep and pressure wash your concrete surface, or sweep and wash your deck. If your deck looks like it could use a fresh coat of paint, plan on doing so when the weather warms up and becomes slightly more stable (avoiding rainy days). If you have plants around your patio area, make sure they are in good condition and trim them if needed. Plan where to re-plant or add to your plant area.

7.) Till Your Garden
Soil can be tilled in the spring. You must wait until the soil is dry and warm enough. You should till your garden when the dirt crumbles in your hand (indicating it is dry) and when it reaches 60°. You can also get bean stocks and tomato cages ready for when it’s time to plant.

Spring cleanup can be a bit of work depending on the amount you find needs to be done, but once you have a plan, your yard will be looking summer-ready in no time at all! 

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 the lake and pond weed services industry for 40 years. They offer proven solutions that will get rid of weeds and algae, making your pond look beautiful all year round.

Here are some common weed and algae types that may pop up in your pond, along with tips and products to help you combat weeds all summer. All of our liquid products can be applied to your pond with ease using the TORMADA® application boat. The TORMADA® is fun to drive and will take the chore out of treating your pond.

Common Floating Weeds

Floating weeds are weeds that float on top of the surface of water. A common floating weed is duckweed. Duckweed floats on the surface of the water and creates a film over the water. Algae will also create “scum-like” mats on the surface of the water.

SOLUTIONS: What is the solution to floating weeds like duckweed and aglae? Lake Restoration’s Pond Products will help you rid your pond of these types of weeds, as well as the algae that grows shows up on the surface. Use Dibrox® herbicide to get rid of the weeds. Dibrox® is quickly absorbed by weeds and is safe for fish and animals. Our copper-based Mizzen® algaecide will rid your pond of algae. 

Common Submerged Weeds

Submerged weeds are weeds that grown completely under the water’s surface. There are many different types of these plants, but the following are some commonly seen examples:

SOLUTIONS: Just like with floating weeds, submerged weeds can be easily controlled using Dibrox® herbicide. Mizzen® algaecide will help you rid your pond of algae as well.

Other Advice for Floating and Submerged Weeds: Both floating and submerged weeds and algae can be controlled using Dibrox® herbicide and Mizzen® algaecide. Some other helpful products for pond care include SparKlear® nutrient reducer and Sapphire Bay® pond dye. SparKlear® comes in liquid or pellet form and is great for eliminating organic material at the bottom of your pond and reducing nutrients that cause algae growth. Sapphire Bay blue pond dye will help give your pond a beautiful blue color.

Emergent Plants

Emergent plants are plants that grow above water or on your shoreline. These include cattails, water lilies, grass, weeds, poison ivy, and woody brush in and around ponds and lakes.

SOLUTIONS: To control emergent plants, use Glyphosate 5.4 to control problem areas. It is also recommended to use a surfactant to help Glyphosate spread. This treatment kills plants at the roots, and there are no restrictions for swimming and fishing. A backpack sprayer is advised for easy application of these products.

Weeds and algae are no fun to deal with in the summer. That’s why Lake Restoration provides comprehensive options for eliminating weeds and algae so you can enjoy your water. To learn more about products, application methods, to request a catalog, or to order, visit LakeResotoration.com. Take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING offer in celebration of 40 years in service! 

Got Duckweed?  

We are happy to announce that we are adding a new pond herbicide, Spritflo™ Herbicide, to our pond product lineup.  Spritflo™ Herbicide is a substitute for Sonar® AS Herbicide and contains the same active ingredient 41.7% Fluridone. 

Spritflo™ Herbicide is great for management of aquatic vegetation in fresh water ponds, lakes reservoirs, potable water sources, drainage canals and irrigation canals. Spritflo™ also controls duckweed (floating plants) and nearly all submerged weeds in ponds. It stays suspended in the water longer than other pond herbicides providing longer control for undesirable aquatic vegetation. It can be applied right away to a pond to give more control and help stop weeds before they start to grow.

“We are excited to be a direct substitute for Sonar® AS Herbicide for less money,” says Chad Hadler, VP of Operations at Lake Restoration.  “Customers now have a more affordable way to treat their pond with Fluridone for duckweed and submerged weeds using Spritflo™ Herbicide.”Spritflo™ Herbicide, a Lake Restoration product, is available in five sizes with the smallest 4 ounce size treating ponds that are half acre in size for $95.00.  Other sizes available are:  8 ounce ($179.00) for treating up to a one acre pond, 1 pint ($329.00) for treating up to two acres, 1 quart ($582.00) for treating up to four acres, and one gallon ($1687.00) for treating up to sixteen acres.

Spritflo™ Herbicide is a concentrated herbicide that is easy to apply.  Applications can be made directly into the pond by using a sprayer or the TORMADA® product application boat.  The TORMADA® is remote controlled and enables ponds to be treated for aquatic vegetation right from the shoreline, reducing exposure to products.  It is easy to use and fun to drive!

Work with our Lake Restoration aquatic experts to order Spritflo™ Fluridone Herbicide or to customize a pond kit that will enhance the overall health and appearance of their pond.  We have a wide variety of aquatic herbicides, algaecides, and pond dyes to eliminate nuisance pondweeds and algae.

If you have a goose problem, you may be hesitant to step in your own yard for fear of walking into a pile of goose droppings. This is an all too real problem for anyone who has a waterbody on their property. A single goose can eat up to four pounds of grass in a day creating large amounts of poop. When groups of geese congregate on your lawn it can ruin your summer activities. We want you to be able to use your own lawn and lake or pond without worrying about a geese problem! Walking barefoot in your yard and enjoying the lush grass shouldn’t be stopped because of pesky geese.

One effective form of goose control is a dog. Geese want to be able to nestle down and have easy access to grass and water. Geese will move on and find a new home where they aren’t bothered by other animals.

But you may be asking, ‘what if I don’t have a dog?’ There are other options like moving decoys. These can come in the form of dogs, coyotes, and other predators. These options are also viable, but may be less successful than a real dog and may be an eye sore. 

Goose repellent sprays can be sufficient as a goose deterrent. However, they can be costly since you will need to buy more when you run out. They can also have unpleasing odors that make your neighborhood smell. 

We recommend using the Goose D-Fence® retractable goose barrier. It blocks geese from accessing the water without flying. During a couple months of summer, geese shed many of their flight feathers and are unable to fly. The rest of the time, geese prefer not to fly unless they are migrating. Research has found that geese do not want to have to work hard for food and water since they need access to it every 30 minutes. The Goose D-Fence® makes the geese have to fly to get to the water which causes them to find a more suitable nesting ground elsewhere.

 Goose D-Fence® is virtually invisible so it isn’t an eye sore. Unless you know it is there, you probably won’t realize there is anything in the yard. Two wires span between the posts and inhibit water access for geese. It is easily set up and is retractable so you can quickly move it out of the way when you want access to your water. One Goose D-Fence® spans up to 250 feet along your pond or lakeshore.

Take back your yard and enjoy the rest of summer, goose free!

We are introducing a new pond and lake weed herbicide, Dibrox™ Herbicide to our product line up. Dibrox™ Herbicide controls a wide range of floating and submerged weeds in ponds and around docks.  Dibrox™ Herbicide contains the same active ingredient as Diquat and Reward® herbicide and is quickly absorbed by plants to easily control duckweed in ponds and submerged weeds in pond or lakes.

Dibrox™ Herbicide will now be a part of our signature pond and lake weed control kits, PONDRestore® and Restore Access®.  The PONDRestore® kit includes Dibrox™ Herbicide, Mizzen® Algaecide, SparKlear® and Sapphire Bay® Blue Pond Dye.  The Restore Access® kit eliminates submerged lake weeds, algae and muck around dock or swimming areas and includes Dibrox™ Herbicide, Mizzen® Algaecide and Muck Maid® muck eliminator.  Whether a pond or a lake, we have a complete do-it-yourself weed control kit for controlling nuisance algae and pond or lake weeds.

“Dibrox® Herbicide is a great and affordable addition to the herbicides that we already offer to our customers,” says Chad Hadler, VP of Operations at Lake Restoration.  “We are very excited to add a liquid herbicide that will tackle pondweeds and lake weeds so our valued customers can enhance their summer experience and enjoy their pond and lake at its best!”

Dibrox™ Herbicide can easily be applied to your pond or lake using the TORMADA® product application boat.  The TORMADA® is an unmanned lightweight boat that enables ponds and dock areas to be treated for weeds and algae without launching a manned boat or using a backpack sprayer.  The TORMADA® is easy to use, and has a simple set up.   Easily treat the water right from the shoreline and drive your weeds and algae away.

Lake Restoration sells many traditional herbicides and algaecides in its online store. Dibrox™ Herbicide, a Lake Restoration product, is available in five sizes:  8 ounce ($14.85) treats 1,000-2,500 square feet, 1 pint ($21.99) treats 2,500-5,000 square feet, 1 quart ($33.75) treats 5,000-10,000 square feet, Half Gallon ($58.00) treats 10,000-20,000 square feet, and 1 Gallon ($101.00) treats 20,000-40,000 square feet.  

Treating your pond will be easy when you use our TORMADA® application boat and our PONDRestore® kit.  The PONDRestore® Kits come in a variety of sizes from 1,000 square feet to 10 acres. The kits start at a price of $48 for the PONDRestore® 1000. The PONDRestore® Kits are intended for use with the TORMADA® applicator boat.

“We launched the PONDRestore® Kits to be used along with the new TORMADA® product application boat,” says Mary Jo Furman, Product Sales Supervisor of Lake Restoration. “The liquid products make the application process easy and fun when used with the TORMADA®.”

The PONDRestore® Kits include several products that benefit the pond in a variety of ways.  Dibrox™ herbicide controls weeds and Mizzen® algaecide controls algae. Dibrox™ acts quickly against unwanted weeds. SparKlear® restores the pond’s health by reducing nutrients that enable weeds to grow and Sapphire Bay® pond dye adds a natural looking blue color.

The PONDRestore® Kit products are used in the unmanned, lightweight TORMADA® pond sprayer. The TORMADA® is remote controlled from the shore and makes applying the products fun. Applying products with the TORMADA® decreases exposure to the chemicals. The boat has a range of 1,000 feet, so places that were hard to reach with a sprayer now become easily treatable.

Our PONDRestore® Kits treat ponds with ease when paired with the remote controlled TORMADA™. Enhance the beauty of your pond with the PONDRestore® kit and the TORMADA® pond sprayer.

We have a new website, AquaticPlantId.com, that provides detailed information on aquatic weed types and is a great tool for helping customers correctly identify the aquatic plants in their lake or pond. The aquatic plant key will help remove the frustration of identifying and managing aquatic vegetation.

Once a category is determined, one can further identify the type of plant that is inhabiting a pond or lake.  A series of questions will be asked about plant characteristics and then pictures will be shown to correctly identify the aquatic plant.  Each plant is accompanied with a photo, scientific name, and a description.

“We are extremely excited about our new Aquatic Plant Id website,” says Mary Jo Furman, Product Sales Supervisor of Lake Restoration. “We are passionate about ensuring our customers are able to enjoy their pond or lake shore to the fullest.  To accomplish this they need to be able to identify any unsightly aquatic weeds.  Once weeds are identified, our weed control product will help eliminate and enhance their pond or lake views, all of this greatly improves their recreational use.”

Rely on the expertise of Lake Restoration for aquatic plant control.  If you would like more information about aquatic plants or identifying aquatic vegetation, please visit AquaticPlantId.com, give us a call #1-877-428-8898 or email us at LRMail@LakeRestoration.com.