Weed Removal & Cleanup
Aquatic Weed Management Inc Inc has been serving Ontario since 2010. Our mission is to keep waterways, dock areas, swimming areas, private beaches, private ponds and marinas clear of unwanted seaweed. No matter the job we have the solution with a wide variety of equipment on hand to get any task done. We’re confident we can help you in any situation. Below is a list of common invasive species in Ontario that we commonly deal with. If you have any of the below. Give us a call and we can take care of it.
Brazilian Elodea, also known as Brazilian Waterweed, is a submerged (under water) aquatic plant in the waterweed family. It can be found in a wide range of freshwater habitat types including wetlands, lakes, ponds and even slow-flowing streams.While it is usually rooted at depths of 1-2 m, it can be found in up to 6 m of water, and can also drift freely. Optimal temperatures for growth are 16-20°C, but it has also been shown to survive over winter under ice.in its introduced range this species displays vegetative reproduction only, meaning that small fragments break off to form new plants. Because of this, it can spread quickly.This species has become a popular aquarium and water garden plant, often sold under the alias “Anacharis”.
Eurasian water-milfoil is an invasive aquatic plant native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa.Introduced to North American the 19th century, it is now one of the most widely distributed invasiveaquatic plants on the continent. It may have been introduced through the aquarium trade or the ballast water of ships.Eurasian water-milfoil prefers shallow water one to three metres deep, but can root in up to 10 metres of water.A fast-growing perennial, it forms dense underwater mats that shade other aquatic plants. When large stands beginto die off in the fall, the decaying plants can reduce oxygen levels in the water.The plant can interbreed with native milfoils, creating a more aggressive form of the invasive species.Because tiny plant pieces can develop into new plants, Eurasian water-milfoil is easily spread when water currents,boat propellers, trailers or fishing gear carry plant fragments to new areas.Eurasian water-milfoil was first discovered in Canada in Lake Erie in 1961.Since then it has spread to all the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, many inland lakes throughout southernand central Ontario, and much of the United States. Outside its native range, the plant has spreadacross every continent except Antarctica.
European frog-bit is an invasive aquatic plant native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.In 1932 the plant wasbrought from Europe to the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa for possible commercial use as an ornamental plant.In 1939 it was found in the Rideau Canal. Since then it has spread toseveral rivers, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and other inland waters. European frog-bit grows rapidly and forms dense, floating mats. It can be found in slow-moving waters such as sheltered inlets, ponds, slow-running rivers and ditches. Large areas of frog-bit that die in the fall and decompose may lead to reduced oxygen levels in the water that can affect aquatic life. New plants can grow from stem fragments, seeds, and winter buds known as turions that can be spread to new waters by boats and wildlife.
European water chestnut (or water chestnut) is an invasive aquatic plant that has been introduced to the Ottawa Riverin eastern Ontario within Voyageur Provincial Park. It has also been found at Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario, in theRideau River at Ottawa, and in the St. Lawrence River at Kingston. The plant is native to Europe, Asia and Africa,and is used in North America as an ornamental water garden plant. Although it’s not certain how the plants arrived in Ontario, it could possibly be the result of a water garden plant(s) being improperly released or boat(s) contaminated with water chestnut being launched in these areas.
Fanwort is an invasive aquatic plant native to the southeastern United States and parts of South America.Today it has invaded parts of the Crowe River watershed in central Ontario, as well as waters in the northern United States, Asia and Australia. Fanwort is a popular aquarium plant. It may have been introduced to Ontario by someone emptying the contents of an aquarium into a waterway, or boats may have carried plant fragments from an infested area outside the province. Fanwort grows and spreads aggressively, forming dense mats under or at the surface of the water. It is most often found in slow moving or stagnant water less than three metres deep. The plant can tolerate cold temperatures and stay green throughout the year. It prefers acidic water with a pH of about 4.8 to 7.8.
Hydrilla is an aquatic plant that has spread rapidly through much of the United States. We don’t know for sure where hydrilla originally came from. Some scientists say the plant is native to Asia; others say Africa or Australia. Hydrilla was introduced to North America in the early 1950s when it was brought to the southern United States for use as an aquarium plant. It spread into waterways when people emptied their aquariums into lakes or rivers. Hydrilla is highly adaptable, and it thrives in still and flowing waters, including rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, streams and wet ditches, as well as in a range of nutrient and light conditions. The plant grows up to 2.5 centimetres a day. It has a competitive advantage over many native plants because it begins converting sunlight to energy that helps it grow – the process known as photosynthesis – earlier in the day than most plants. Because tiny plant pieces can develop into new plants, hydrilla is easily spread when water currents, boat propellers, trailers, fishing gear or people carry plants or plant fragments to new areas.
Parrot Feather is an invasive perennial aquatic plant native to South America. It was introduced to North Americaaround 1890 as an aquarium and aquatic garden plant. Due to intentional and accidental releases it was able to escape into waterways and spread by plant fragments. Parrot Feather is limited to non-tidal waters including lakes,ponds and slow moving streams. The populations found in North America are female plants and as a result can only reproduce vegetatively. Parrot Feather is commonly sold in stores as an aquarium plant and is often not disposed of properly.
Water hyacinth is a free-floating aquatic plant in the Pickerel-Weed family (Pontederiaceae) imported into North America in 1884 for an exposition in New Orleans. New introductions are probably the result of improper disposal of pond plants or when ponds adjacent to local water bodies overflow with rains. Water hyacinth is readily available for purchase as an ornamental plant of ponds and outdoor water gardens in Ontario, where it is not a regulated species. Naturalized populations have caused widespread ecological, economic and recreational impacts.
Water lettuce is a free-floating aquatic plant whose origins are uncertain. An explorer in 18th century Floridawas the first person to record its presence in North America. Some experts believe it is native to the southeastern United States, while others believe it came from Africa, southern Asia or South America. It was likely moved beyond it’s native range by ships carrying it in their ballast and by people using it in water gardens, aquariums and ponds. Water lettuce is a prohibited plant in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and is considered a noxious weed in South Carolina and Delaware. Water lettuce forms large, dense floating mats. The plant can adapt to life in ponds, lakes and quiet areas of rivers and streams, but cannot withstand salt water. While not usually able to tolerate cold temperatures, several populations of water lettuce have been observed in Ontario, and they may be successfully reproducing. Scientists are currently studying where water lettuce is growing in Ontario, whether it is able to survive Ontario’s winters, and whether it is likely to spread
Brazilian Elodea, also known as Brazilian Waterweed, is a submerged (under water) aquatic plant in the waterweed family. It can be found in a wide range of freshwater habitat types including wetlands, lakes, ponds and even slow-flowing streams.While it is usually rooted at depths of 1-2 m, it can be found in up to 6 m of water, and can also drift freely. Optimal temperatures for growth are 16-20°C, but it has also been shown to survive over winter under ice.in its introduced range this species displays vegetative reproduction only, meaning that small fragments break off to form new plants. Because of this, it can spread quickly.This species has become a popular aquarium and water garden plant, often sold under the alias “Anacharis”.
