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Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you remove lake weeds?Holy Divers Aquatic Weed Removal utilizes hand-picking methods and underwater tools to extract weeds by their complex root systems. After removing the bulk of weeds by hand, we comb over the cleared area with specialized equipment to ensure no weed bundles are left behind and that any microscopic germination is disrupted to prevent future weed growth. For deeper submerged weeds, we most often utilize SCUBA gear. SCUBA diving allows us to snag weeds by their roots while navigating underwater safer and more efficiently as opposed to freediving. In the instance of dense emergent weed removal, such as bog or cattails, we utilize a variety of highly effective waterproof power tools, many of which stem from various professional commercial diving industries. For large areas of bog removal, we often operate underwater electric saws and a specialized hydraulic chainsaw.
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What happens to weeds once they are removed?At Holy Divers, we believe in making the most out of every resource available, even the icky lake weeds we remove. Instead of letting our hand-picked weeds go unused, we convert them naturally into a special blend of nutrient-rich compost to give away free to locally owned farms, garden stores, and recreational gardeners. Due to plentiful watershed drainage and farm runoff, Midwestern lake weeds are exceptionally rich in phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen. These three nutrients are generally considered the most vital for healthy crop growth. If you or someone you know would like free compost, feel free to reach out. Your garden will thank you! We can deliver.
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How do I sign up?To hop on our schedule, a consultation visit must first be scheduled. Our consultation involves a brief meeting with one of our service representatives at your waterfront property. If you do not have availability for an in-person visit, details may be discussed over the phone, and satellite imagery may be used to provide an exact price quote based. During the consultation, we will work with you to identify which services best fit your needs. Then, in-depth details regarding exactly where you would like the weeds removed will be discussed. After we map out exactly where you would like weeds cleared, we will be able to provide an exact quote.
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How far is your service range?Our current service range stretches from Duluth down to Faribault. We hope to expand to additional areas such as western Wisconsin and northern Iowa in the near future. Regardless of your location, reach out! We are always open to travel.
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Will the weeds come back?Eventually, yes, but in noticeably lesser quantities and varying types. We account for small amounts of regrowth in our multi-visit cleaning service packages. Packages range from 1 to 4 visits and will keep your lake bottom clear for the whole summer. We typically recommend starting with 2 visits as sometimes a third visit is unnecessary. Following the first cleaning of your Holy Divers summer service package, weeds in your serviced area will stay away for 4-6 weeks before some, if any, notable regrowth presents itself. Because we extract weeds by their roots and agitate bottom sediment with specialized tools, regrowth from our services is minimal. In many circumstances, an area serviced by us will later regrow different aquatic vegetation such as eelgrass. Eelgrass is a common, native, low profile aquatic plant that thrives in healthy Minnesota lakefronts. It is highly important to any underwater ecosystem for a variety of reasons. This submerged plant greatly increases water clarity, produces oxygen, prevents lake floor erosion, and supports healthy marine life (especially small fish). Many of our lakefront guests notice eelgrass replace picked invasive weeds around their docks in the following months after a Holy Divers cleaning service. This phenomenon is a great indication of a healthy marine biome around your dock!
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Will you ever use chemicals?Holy Divers will never use chemicals on your lakefront. In-water chemical sprays or solutions cause slow decomposition of aquatic vegetation which leaves behind submerged piles of slimy, dying vegetation that eventually convert to muck. Enough muck accumulation over time will require dredging for effective removal. Chemical sprays and liquids may have notable short-term side effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin, even in diluted concentrations. In fact, many manufacturers of these products advise not to swim in a treated area for days or even weeks depending upon how much is applied. With our services, you will never have to worry about slimy weeds, constant muck buildup, nasty smells from decomposing weeds, or the health and safety of those swimming around your dock. We pick weeds by their roots and dispose of them to ensure immediate results without any long-term issues. Pairing our weed removal services with natural muck-eating enzyme pellets is an effective eco-friendly way to keep your lakefront crystal clear!
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Do you remove muck?We provide eco-friendly, DNR/EPA approved enzyme treatments for muck. These natural enzyme pellets break down and dissipate muck without harm to marine life or people. They also prevent muck accumulation by eating away at decaying aquatic vegetation. This treatment method occurs over weeks or months depending on muck depth. Treatments are recommended every 2-4 weeks per manufacturers' recommendations. For muck greater than 6-8" deep, we advise using muck tablets as opposed to pellets. If you would like to buy some, we can likely get them at a discounted rate for you as the retail price is very high. For more in-depth details about how to use these products and the research behind them, shoot us an e-mail!
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Do I need a permit to have weeds removed?The necessity for a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Plant Management permit (“APM permit”) depends on which category of weeds you wish to remove. Lake weeds that breach water level are considered “emergent weeds.” Cattails, lily pads, bulrush, broadhead arrowleaf, and watershield are all examples of emergent weeds. For all emergent weeds, an APM permit is required. To begin an application for one, click here. Before applying, be sure to create an account on the DNR website using your preferred e-mail. If you have any trouble with this process, see our Aquatic Plant Management Permit Help page for a quick walkthrough guide or call us at 612-293-6056. For weeds that do not breach water level (“submerged weeds”), a permit is seldom necessary. In the event that one is necessary for an exceptionally large area of submerged weeds, you will only have to apply once, and the permit will be good for life. *Important note: If emergent weeds such as lily pads are growing but have not yet breached surface, they are still considered emergent weeds. If a submerged weed such as Eurasian milfoil blooms to the surface and becomes partially exposed, it is still considered submerged vegetation despite its appearance above water.
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If I obtain a permit, how long does it last?An Aquatic Plant Management permit is valid through December 31 of the year it is issued unless otherwise stated by a DNR agent. Oftentimes, the permit is granted once and is good forever (the DNR calls this a “continual permit”). For continual permits, there is no need for annual reapplication. In the rare instance a submerged weed removal permit is necessary, a continual permit is almost always granted if requested. *Remember: Every waterfront homeowner may have a 15-ft wide path of emergent weeds or bog cleared without a permit.
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How does the rewards program work? How do I sign up?Our upcoming 2024 rewards program is set up such that every dollar spent equals one Note. Notes are our musically themed reward points that can be exchanged for future discounts on services, bonus promotional deals, and free Holy Divers items! To sign up, simply pay an invoice. If we already have your e-mail on record, you will be automatically enrolled in our rewards program. To check your Notes balance or exchange them, contact Dom via e-mail at Dom@HolyDiversMN.com.
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