About American Ecosystems

WHAT IS AMERICAN ECOSYSTEMS, INC.?
American Ecosystems. Inc. is a company that specializes in the control and prevention of nuisance aquatic weeds in lakes, ponds, canals, ditches and other waterways throughout Florida. We also install beneficial aquatic plants, stock game fish and triploid grass carp, clarify muddy water, perform water quality testing, and install aeration systems and fountains.

HOW DO WE CONTROL NUISANCE AQUATIC WEEDS?
Most lakes and ponds throughout Florida need to be on an aquatic management program. Our aquatic management program includes regularly scheduled treatments utilizing Environmental Protection Agency (E.PA.) approved aquatic herbicides and algaecides. All treatments are performed by a licensed and extensively trained biologist.

WHO TYPICALLY USES AN AMERICAN ECOSYSTEMS, INC. PROGRAM?
Our customers include homeowners associations, developers, golf courses, business parks, mobile home parks, municipalities, condominiums, apartment complexes, and anyone who needs assistance with a nuisance aquatic weed problem.

HOW MUCH DOES THE AMERICAN ECOSYSTEMS, INC. PROGRAM COST?
Upon request, an American Ecosystems representative will perform a free inspection of your waterway and provide you with a detailed proposal. Very often, the total investment for a program is surprisingly modest.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET RESULTS?
Typically, results are apparent within days. Some weeds require a longer period of time to absorb and metabolize the herbicide. Our representative can provide details.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DEAD WEEDS?
They will turn brown or fade from their original color, shrivel up and gradually sink to the bottom. Most aquatic weeds consist of 90% or more of water, therefore little residue is left. Woody brush and cattails have more structure for support outside the water; therefore they take longer to decompose fully.

WILL THE TREATMENTS KILL FISH OR HARM THE ENVIRONMENT?
American Ecosystems, Inc. uses only approved aquatic herbicides which have demonstrated a wide margin of safety to fish and wildlife and which are generally used in the State of Florida. We also use specialized treatment techniques that further ensure that fish and other aquatic animals are not harmed.

FOLLOWING THE TREATMENT, IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD BEFORE THE WATER CAN BE USED FOR IRRIGATION, SWIMMING OR FISHING?
Some treatments require three days or more holding time on the use of the treated water. Usually the water is safe to use immediately. The biologist treating your lake or pond will provide this information to you.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MATERIALS PUT INTO THE WATER?
Most aquatic herbicides are degraded rapidly by chemical and biological action. These compounds are recycled back into the environment without harm to fish and wildlife.

WHAT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS APPLY TO AMERICAN ECOSYSTEMS, INC?
All treatments are performed with E.P.A. label aquatic herbicides. Each biologist is licensed with the Department of Agriculture and possesses aquatic certification. An aquatic plant control permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection is required for some areas. Other State and local agencies often require their own permits. We can help with obtaining any necessary permits.

DOES A NEWLY DUG LAKE OR POND NEED A PROGRAM?
Our experience with newly dug lakes and ponds has shown that they usually develop weed and algae problems within weeks of construction. A preventative program can lower the total investment for future maintenance. In mitigation areas, a management program should begin immediately after installation of the plants.

WHY DO WE NEED A PROGRAM IF OUR POND HAS SPRINGS IN THE BOTTOM?
Many of the most severe types of aquatic weeds such as hydrilla, water milfoil, hyacinth, torpedo grass and duckweed, typically thrive in non-stagnant water.

SHOULD ALL AQUATIC WEEDS IN A LAKE OR POND BE ELIMINATED?
It is our philosophy and recommendation that some aquatic weeds with proven benefits for fish, wildlife and water quality should remain. We tend to target the exotic weeds that by their growth habit usually grow very rapidly and can degrade water quality, habitant, water retention capabilities, and the aesthetic appeal of a waterway.

WILL THE PROGRAM CONTROL THE MOSQUITOES?
Not directly; however, the elimination of the nuisance weeds in your pond or lake will allow the minnows and fish (naturally present in most Florida ponds and lakes) increased access to feed on the mosquito larvae.

WHY DO MANY FLORIDA WATERWAYS HAVE SUCH A SEVERE NUISANCE AQUATIC WEED PROBLEM?
The major contributing factors include the long Florida season, shallow ponds that regularly receive nutrient- rich runoff from lawns, streets, and parking lots, and the presence of non-native exotic aquatic weeds.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEED-EATING TRIPLOID CARP?
The sterile Triploid Grass Carp is being used extensively around the state as a long term maintenance tool for submerged aquatic weed control. It is providing valuable aid in reducing the total investment for nuisance aquatic weed control. We are a State of Florida approved fish dealer and can assist you in applying for a permit to stock these fish in your waterway. We supply these fish without extra charge to all of our yearly customers. We can expedite delivery and installation of these fish to your lake or pond.

DO FOUNTAINS OR AERATION SYSTEMS BENEFIT A POND OR LAKE?
Aeration systems that employ the use of bottom diffusers are very effective in destratifying lakes and ponds and providing many ecological benefits for fish and wildlife. They can help to precipitate phosphorus and nitrogen out of solution, the major cause of algae. They require little or no maintenance, use little electrical power and are very modestly priced. Fountains, although improving the aesthetic appeal of a pond, provide only very localized oxygenation of surface waters. They can be equipped with lights to further enhance their charm. Both fountains and aeration systems have reduced the cost for algae control in many waterways.

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AMERICAN ECOSYSTEMS, INC!
Call us at our St. Petersburg headquarters at (727) 545-4404. We provide service to all of Florida. Let us assist you with your aquatic needs.