Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Re: Opinions on using a pond service company

A long cold winter. Still thick ice on my pond. Aerator is off. Grandkids skated this year and I lost many fish last year anyway. However, I am contemplating utilizing a pond management co. this year. I have been as chemical free as possible, raked algae, manually pulled weeds, raked muck. Did use an muck eater and sprayed for cat tails as well as pond dye. I don't like to kill living things in my pond but it is very labor and time consuming to maintain my pond at my age and working full time, gardening, camping, family, etc.

Would like expert opinions please. Should I carry on as best I can or pay to have someone keep it up? What are the ramifications of chemical control? A dead pond?

Thank you.

Bacteria and chemicals are less labor intensive. Remember, time is money, so a pond consulting company will usually take the least time consuming method of control, unless you are willing to pay for their time spent on the pond. It's not only the actual time spent on the pond, but travel and office time too.

Properly applied, proper use of chemicals should have no effect on non-target organisms.

Also, a pond management company has a greater level of expertise. They not only know what to do, and how to do it, but WHY to do it using the best management practices. As long as the pro knows your goals and sees your vision, that company is trained to help you achieve those goals in the timeline you expect as well as inside the budget you have.
Professional pond management companies, as long as you choose one that fits into your mission, can go a long way to getting your pond as you want it to be.

All excellent points. Thank you for bolstering my confidence as well as easing my conscience!

Hope to add a beach this year. We have a little "bunkie" out at the pond now. I love my pond.

Thank you men!

Like any other service provider, I'd strongly recommend you talk to a least a few different companies, obtain references and make sure they have the expertise and experience they claim to.

There is a lot you can do, and lot of information you can get from the magazine. Sometimes you will get a better job and cost less to bring in some professional help. When the big dog talks {Bob Lusk} you need to listen

Hope you have better luck than I've had.

I refuse to hound people to take my business. If they don't call back or follow up.....I move on.

Best of luck to you.