Cattail Killer, or how to clean up around the pond?

[jimmyj]

At risk of posting the most simplistic comment in this thread....we pull cattails by hand and it works well.

 

[WarrenF]

WarrenF,
It would help if you would read my posts
Dave.

OOOPPPPSSSSS....sorry!!! I hit the quote button on your post and meant to hit it on anothers post. I am appropriately beating myself about the head, neck and shoulders.

The information I provided is still relevant for those who suggest that DDT does not eradicate Malaria, and its use does and IS saving little children's lives.

 

[forester2]

Dave: I would buy that eutrophication is a natural process and that humans are part of the natural system.

 

[20 20]

Dave: I would buy that eutrophication is a natural process and that humans are part of the natural system.

Agreed

 

[20 20]

Cattails from what I've read and experienced will grow in water up to 3-4'. They can also grow in deeper water as long as they have a run connecting them to shallow waters. Cattails are actually very good for filtering ponds but like anything else moderation is the answer. I have solved my problem to were I WANT it, with some manual labor. Once I took care of the main issue{cattails ignored and over running} they have not been a big issue at all. No matter what form one uses to get rid of cattails they will still need to keep up with it. Cattails just don't disappear and never return, even with chemical treatment.

The pond in question is new to me not sure what a septic pond is{I'll need to look it up}. Seems like weeds would be a huge problem in septic water even with chemicals.

Something else that I have heard that works is lining the edges with lime stone. Do a search it is interesting and IMO looks very nice when done correct. They bring in a lime truck and it spreads the rocks around the edge of the pond with a shoot. Not sure what the cost would be? Around here I believe it would be more that what I'd want to spend.



WarrenF; I'll say this one last time. I don't doubt that DDT did help SOME in the stopping of Malaria. You made it sound like DDT was the only reason deaths dropped 30%. My point is,.,.,. that is wrong, there are many factors at work in the resent years to stop Malaria. There are simple things that have even helped like screen netting for sleeping. Then there are other drugs medical findings etc... that have been introduced. DDT may have it's uses {not my true feelings thoug} but I feel anytime a chemical is used it should have LOOOOONNNNGGGG term studies done. When DDT was introduced there were minimal studies done if any. It has also been proven to cause nasty things to the enviroment, fish plants birds and even animals{including humans}. I also disagree that we need chemicals to grow food, you'd be surprised at how far a little horse poo and good dirt will go .

 

[brin]

Here is a receipe for organic weed killer that will not harm your fish or lake or pond but will kill your weeds. I have had a lake now for 35 yrs. and have had to deal with about every problem imagineable. Be careful with Round Up around your pond or lake...it will kill fish..read the lable it was not designed to be used in ponds. If you decide to use it around the shore of your pond...do it on a day with no wind and do it from the boat spraying the round up to the shore instead of spraying from the shore into your pond. Once round up is on the plant and dries you should be OK since it is designed to adhere to the vegetation but it is the overspray that could get in your pond or lake that would do the damage...Here is the mix for the organic weed killer..

1 gal Vinegar
1 Lb. Salt
2 Tablespoons liquid Dish Soap

Mix all this together and dislove salt in warm vinegar to be sure it disolves and then add the dish soap and use a hand sprayer..good luck.

 

[dave1949]

Here is a receipe for organic weed killer that will not harm your fish or lake or pond but will kill your weeds. I have had a lake now for 35 yrs. and have had to deal with about every problem imagineable. Be careful with Round Up around your pond or lake...it will kill fish..read the lable it was not designed to be used in ponds. If you decide to use it around the shore of your pond...do it on a day with no wind and do it from the boat spraying the round up to the shore instead of spraying from the shore into your pond. Once round up is on the plant and dries you should be OK since it is designed to adhere to the vegetation but it is the overspray that could get in your pond or lake that would do the damage...Here is the mix for the organic weed killer..

1 gal Vinegar
1 Lb. Salt
2 Tablespoons liquid Dish Soap

Mix all this together and dislove salt in warm vinegar to be sure it disolves and then add the dish soap and use a hand sprayer..good luck.

Thanks for the recipe Brin. I will try it out this Summer. I will write it on the July calendar page, at least I will eventually find it
Dave.

 

[dave1949]

Dave: I would buy that eutrophication is a natural process and that humans are part of the natural system.

Ah, but humans do things nature cannot. They are a part of nature and so much more. Industrial and chemical processes, modern agriculture, fuels; are all things that cannot happen without people.
Dave.

 

[brin]

Dave...LOL, you are like me...if someone took my calander away from me with my notes they would find me wandering around somewhere in La La Land...LOL again..

 

[dave1949]

OOOPPPPSSSSS....sorry!!! I hit the quote button on your post and meant to hit it on anothers post. I am appropriately beating myself about the head, neck and shoulders.

The information I provided is still relevant for those who suggest that DDT does not eradicate Malaria, and its use does and IS saving little children's lives.

I sort of felt you were beating me around the head for something I already acknowledged.

Yes, I like information. Always good to read other's points of view. Those people in Africa have their backs against the wall in so many ways all around the continent.

I have to agree with 20-20 there are other ways being or could be used to combat malaria, but the situation in Africa is a sad one. They don't have the wherewithall to address their problems in any other way. I do believe they will pay an environmental price for that too. As one person in the article put it, there has to be some stop gap solution until they can find and finance better ones.

Dave.