Keep Your Lake Free of Invasive Weeds With Drone Applications

Reprint courtesy of SOLitude Lake Management

Superintendents know that lakes and ponds are essential to the success of any golf course. But when invasive vegetation species creep in, the beauty and functionality of these waterbodies can be spoiled and leave superintendents feeling like they are fighting a losing battle against Mother Nature. Luckily, new developments in drone technology are allowing superintendents to take back control.

Also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones are changing the way that experts approach controlling nuisance and invasive aquatic weeds. This advanced technology plays a key role throughout the process, starting with data collection and surveillance. With a bird’s-eye view of the site, professionals are better able to map target areas and identify safety challenges such as difficult terrain, flooding, infrastructure damage, or dangerous wildlife.

Drone technology is one solution that not only supports effective and efficient applications, but does so without harming our sensitive ecosystems.

Drones eliminate the need for specialists to interfere with non-target areas used by visitors, employees, and residents.

Managing Nuisance and Invasive Vegetation With Drones

Drones can be utilized to manage many different nuisance or invasive plant species. Some of the most common floating aquatic weeds include water hyacinth, giant salvinia, water chestnut, and crested floating heart. Common emergent wetland plants include cattails, phragmites, Brazilian pepper, and flowering rush.

Drones have the ability to make highly targeted applications, making it easier to access sensitive or hardto-reach areas without putting the environment or aquatic experts at risk. Because they are able to make applications from above, areas that are normally inaccessible by human experts, either via walking or ATV, can now be effectively managed with precise applications.

Tackle Vegetation Problems With Less Fuss

Golf courses take pride in cultivating beautiful landscaping around their water resources. As any superintendent can attest, excessive activity on the ground can create distractions and interfere with both work and play.

In addition to optimizing the treatment process, drones are discreet and less intrusive in residential and recreational locations. Drones elim- inate the need for experts to interfere with these areas and help ensure flowers, turf, and other ornamental growth remain untouched.

Critical Drone Technology Features to Ask About

As with any innovation, it is critical for superintendents to understand drone technology, its features, and the experts who use it in order to select the best aquatic management partner for your business. So, what should you look for or ask about? Here are four critical capabilities and features that you should consider.

1. Pilot expertise. In an age of fastmoving technology, it may seem like drones can be used by anyone. However, running afoul of airspace regulations can result in significant fines and unwanted publicity. Drones should be operated by experienced pilots licensed through the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).

2. Mapping technology to protect the environment. Look for an aquatic management partner that has the ability to not only perform site surveillance, but those that use geographic information system (GIS) software to pre-program custom treatment routes and ensure precise herbicide applications to avoid impacts to non-target zones.

3. Drone programming and carrying capacity for cost-efficiency. Unlike recreational drones used for casual photography, those used for invasive species and vegetation management are significantly larger with a 6-foot wingspan and advanced battery capacity. These larger drones can transport approximately 35 pounds of liquid or granular herbicide during an application route. Once emptied—often in just 2–3 minutes—the drones are returned to a designated reloading station. Reloading can be completed onshore, in a boat, or from a truck bed. This efficient technology is an excellent tool for wide-area coverage in difficult-to-reach or ecologically sensitive environments, as it can treat up to 200 acres a day, making it a cost-effective solution for large or remote areas.

4. Privacy software. It is critically important to ask any potential aquatic management partner questions about privacy. To protect the privacy of those working, enjoying, and living on your golf course, drones should be configured with software designed to block recording near living spaces.

Drones have changed the game for invasive species and nuisance vegetation management, adding to professionals’ toolbox to support healthy, beautiful, long-lasting waterbodies. If your business is searching for a solution, ask your aquatic management partner about their drone application capability.

Available from these suppliers:

Buds & Blooms Nursery Brown Summit, NC • 800-772-2837

Chesapeake Nurseries Inc Salisbury, MD • 410-742-5622

David’s Nursery Exmore, VA • 757-442-7000

Homestead Gardens Davidsonville, MD • 443-607-1919

Shreckhise Nurseries Grottoes, VA • 540-249-5761

Spring Run Farm Coatesville, PA • 610-380-1402

Zirkle’s Nursery Bridgeton, NJ • 856-207-3548