Florida aquatic service

Water Hyacinth Removal across Central Florida

Mechanical water hyacinth removal for Florida lakefronts, retention ponds, and HOA canals.

Typical price range

$1,500–$4,500

Per visit on a 1–3 acre private lake. Most homeowners on a 3–4 visit annual plan. Heavy initial cleanups can be $4,000–$9,000.

What is water hyacinth and why it matters

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is the most visible aquatic invasive in Central Florida. Free-floating mats drift with the wind and pile against shorelines, docks, and stormwater outfalls. A single mat can double in size every 8–12 days during summer. We mechanically harvest mats off the water and haul the biomass off-site so it doesn't decompose in place.

Florida spends over $25M annually managing hyacinth on public waterways. On private lakes, untreated hyacinth makes docks unusable within a single growing season and drops waterfront value.

Signs you need water hyacinth service

!Floating mats of bulbous green leaves with purple flowers

!Mats jammed against docks after wind events

!Mosquito populations exploding in summer

!Foul smell when mats decay

!Dead fish following herbicide spray events

The problem

Why DIY and herbicide-only fail

Hyacinth is a Class I Prohibited Aquatic Plant under Florida law. It produces dense surface mats that block sunlight, suffocate fish, harbor mosquitoes, and render docks unusable. Untreated, a single dock-corner cluster can blanket a half-acre cove in six weeks.

Our approach

How we handle it

We deploy surface harvest boats to cut, collect, and transport hyacinth biomass. Shoreline booms catch drifting mats before they reach docks. Recurring maintenance keeps coverage under 5% and prevents the rapid bloom-and-decay cycles that crash dissolved oxygen.

✓Mechanical harvest boats — no broadcast spraying
✓Shoreline booms to catch drift
✓Biomass hauled to permitted upland disposal
✓Recurring maintenance plans cap regrowth
✓Fully insured FL aquatic operations

Service areas

Water hyacinth service across Florida counties

We provide water hyacinth service throughout Central Florida. Click your county for local invasive pressure, pricing, and FAQs.

Featured lakes for water hyacinth

Estimate

Estimate your water hyacinth cost

Per-foot pricing scaled to shoreline length, density, and access. Per visit on a 1–3 acre private lake. Most homeowners on a 3–4 visit annual plan. Heavy initial cleanups can be $4,000–$9,000.

Every estimate still requires an on-site inspection before we commit to a firm number.

Quick estimate

Rough ballpark for Central Florida properties. Final quote requires on-site inspection.

Client type

Service

Project scope

Invasive type

Coverage density

Boat access to water

Truck & trailer access available on propertyRequired for weed removal (haul-off). Not needed for relocation or spraying.

Estimated range

$2,100–$2,458

One-time initial clearing. Maintenance plans priced separately.

FAQs

Water Hyacinth Removal — frequently asked questions

Is water hyacinth illegal to own in Florida?+

Yes. Florida classifies water hyacinth as a Class I Prohibited Aquatic Plant under FAC 5B-64. Possessing, importing, or transporting hyacinth without a permit is illegal — including moving plants between private ponds.

How fast does hyacinth spread?+

In Central Florida summer temperatures, a hyacinth population doubles in 8–12 days. A single dock-corner cluster can blanket a half-acre cove in six weeks if untreated.

Will the state remove hyacinth from my lake?+

FWC and water management districts manage public navigation channels and state-owned waterways only. Private lakes, retention ponds, and HOA water bodies are the property owner's responsibility.

How much does hyacinth removal cost?+

Mechanical harvesting on a 1–3 acre private lake typically runs $1,500–$4,500 per visit, with most homeowners on a 3–4 visit annual plan.

Why not just spray herbicide?+

Broadcast herbicide kills the surface plant but the biomass sinks and decays in place, releasing the same nutrients that fueled the bloom. The next bloom comes back stronger and faster. Mechanical removal eliminates the biomass entirely.

Get a water hyacinth quote

Tell us about your property and we'll follow up within 24 hours with a realistic plan and free quote.

Takes about 2 minutes · 24-hour response · No obligation

Learn more

Field guides on water hyacinth and lake management

hyacinth

How to remove water hyacinth from a private Florida lake

Water hyacinth doubles in size every 8–12 days during Florida summer. Here's what works — and what doesn't — for private lakefront owners.

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