7 Tips on Mechanical Algae Removal for Lakefront Properties

Algae can be troublesome for a number of reasons, from health and wildlife to aesthetics and stench. Did you know that there is an unknown number of algae species in the world, with estimates reaching up to one million separate species?

With so many types of algae, you might be curious about mechanical algae removal to deal with your lakefront property. Algae in lakes can cause problems, but nothing you can't handle. Here are seven excellent tips on mechanical algae removal and how best to go about it.

1. Keep Growth Down

The first tip to keep in mind is preemptive rather than working the moment you notice algae. In most things, the quickest way to handle a problem is by making sure that it doesn't happen at all. Something relatively passive like a boat-mounted weed cutter can work without much extra effort.

In the world of algae removal, this means doing your best to keep the growth of algae down. This can be done in a number of ways. One of the most obvious is to practice mechanical algae removal frequently, removing as much as you can on a frequent basis.

2. Mechanical Doesn't Mean Machines!

When you hear someone mention mechanical algae removal, you may think of some complex machines. Maybe you've had to have a nearby lake or pond pumped out and you're worried that you're in for something as complex and long-term as that.

Mechanical algae removal doesn't always equate to using machinery to remove the algae, though this can be done with equipment like remote-control weed cutters. However, this can be as simple as lifting large clumps of algae out with a rake.

This can end up feeling like more physical work, but is cheaper, efficient, and quicker to set up. It also makes the ongoing work of mechanical algae removal much easier. There are a number of algae removal tools to help handle algae in lakes without having to employ large machines.

3. Not All at Once

When working on algae removal, your thought might be to remove as much as you can as quickly as you can. However, this is often harmful for a number of reasons.

For one thing, algae isn't purely harmful to the environment, and removing it can cause problems for the ecosystem if done en masse. If you're removing the algae with chemicals that kill the matter off, this can raise several more issues.

That dying plant matter can feed further growth or cause problems with oxygen circulation. As a rule of thumb, try to only kill off about a fourth to a third of the algae at once. Sometimes you may want to forget killing algae altogether and use large items like a weed roller to handle some blooms.

4. Use Proper Algaecides

A lake is a living ecosystem, and tossing any random chemical in without any idea what you're working towards can throw everything out of wack. With the way an ecosystem snowballs, using too harsh or too deadly of chemicals can destroy the entire ecosystem in and around a lake.

If you want algae gone, simply pouring bleach or weed killer on it can be extremely harmful. Instead, make sure you're using proper algaecides. These will have a better balance targeted towards dealing with the algae without harming the rest of the environment. Additionally, these algaecides will be focused directly on that algae, making it much more effective than simple harsh chemicals.

5. Know What You're Dealing With

As we mentioned before, there are thousands of types of algae. What works to get rid of one may not work for another. Because of this, it's important to know exactly what you're dealing with.

Three of the most common varieties include black, green, and mustard algae. Each of these has a different appearance and biology outside of just their well-earned names.

That means that you'll be tackling each of them with different algae removal tools and chemicals. Make sure you know what you're dealing with before you take a blanket approach and find your treatment unhelpful.

6. Plan Your Attack

Algae removal can take a good deal of time and isn't something you'll want to do in a single afternoon. More than that, you especially don't want to impulsively begin mechanical algae removal just because it became a hassle all at once.

Instead, you'll want to have a thought-out plan of action on how you intend to tackle the algae. It can be extensive work that takes quite some time. By its very nature, you'll have an ongoing process ahead of you. Some tasks may require specific equipment, like a muck blower for underwater maintenance.

Make sure that you have all the materials that you need to carry out your mechanical algae removal. This counts all your algae removal tools, a schedule of what and where you expect to remove when, and everything else. It's also best to make sure that you know the contact information of local algae removal service companies.

7. Work with Professionals

On the topic of algae removal service companies, one of the best ways to ensure it's done right is to work with a professional company. Many companies will work with you and bring their own equipment to deal with such issues. Items like this cattail cutter can help make surface-level maintenance a breeze, whether it's you or a professional wielding it.

Many companies will offer consultants so you can use some of the many tools we've linked above for their purposes. This allows you to have an expert opinion without having to give up control over doing it yourself.

Mechanical Algae Removal

Mechanical algae removal is relatively simple with the right equipment. Do your best to be armed with knowledge and the proper algae removal tools. With the right preparation, you'll be able to handle any algae removal with relative ease.

If you have more questions, feel free to contact us regarding equipment and services. Browse our catalog for more fantastic tools to help make lake maintenance a breeze.