Alien Invasion - I want my pond back !

[Eric Salop]

Alien meets 4-in-1 bucket

While I was passing by the pond with the 4-in-1 bucket on the loader, I had a few grabs to see what would happen.

The Iseki is built for wet Japanese rice fields, but if I went further down the bank I'm pretty sure I would be needing help to ever get out again.



With a bit of mist rolling in, it wouldn't take much for an alien like this to feature in a sci-fi movie.

I have now cut a strip all the way around the pond, ready to attempt the big tow later this week.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My idea is to find an old boat trailer or a long caddy and rig a set of tines/scarifers (hydraulically actuated like on an expensive box blade) on the rear of the trailer. Back trailer far into the water, lower scarifers, and pull out. You could fab the trailer to utilize 3 pt hitch geometry so you could mount a York rake or whatever you have. I'm sure it would take a bit of experimentation, but it could be made to work.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Eric, I have several pictures of my 4-in-1 grasping 8' high poison oak bushes, the local alien of choice. Not sure which would be worse, risking drowning on the tractor, or having to remember to wash it off after every session to prevent a wide spread and long lasting rash.:shocked:

 

[dave1949]

Hard to believe how thick that stuff is! If it were chemically killed, there would be a bunch of rotting vegetation in the water and that probably wouldn't be very good either.

 

[farmer2009]

Eric how much effect would oxygenated water have on the plant?

If it would work a couple of solar fountains. It's up by the road right. Place some reading benches and parking meters to pay for the fountains. Ok just kidding about the parking meters.

 

[txdon]

The second photo of the tractor lifting the alien really does looks like an alien attacking your tractor.

 

[the old grind]

Having apparently lost my recent mammalian invader (muskrat) there are dead/floating/decaying cattails to remove, now providing nitrogen to other weeds I hope to keep contained. I doubt that oxygen would benefit Eric's alien in any way (they produce it vs use it) and that leads me to a 'wondering'.

First pic shows roots that apparently just dangle in the water. Is it wind/wave action that inhibits what they can add to expansion/density in calmer waters?

So, the pond is mostly clear, but one or two areas just aren't getting much wind, or are a bit shallow and the alien tries to come back there ... (bits left or drifted there?) ...

The 'wonder' then is would/could a windmill bubbler(s) be applied experimentally, economically, strategically in what is sure to be a prolonged battle?

btw, that 'veggie' stuff looks horror movie-ugly/scary "alien monster ..."

(The tractor appears to be quite handsome but somewhat shy. )

 

[clemsonfor]

I didnt know Iseki still made tractors? maybe there just not sold here. we still get the old Grey models here though

 

[rd_macgregor]

You might want to contact the authors of this work to see if they have any suggestions....
http://www.invasive.org/proceedings/pdfs/Varia.pdf

It doesn't sound like physical removal will be a long-term fix for the problem (ie, you'll be doing it repeatedly).

Bob

 

[MossRoad]

I'd also recommend a visit to Pond Boss Magazine: Welcome and check out their forums. Lots of good info over there.