GRAVEYARDS
The greatest need for weed management control is aesthetic for cemeteries. We have two types of weed control for this area. There is the selective broad-leaf control of weeds in lawns or the residual non-selective control. The first will eliminate all broad-leaf weeds and leave the lawn unaltered, while the second will be a total takeout or zero vegetative result.
TURF / FENCE LINES
Broadleaf weeds (like dandelions) do not stand up to traffic. This means that a soccer field that has dandelions will eventually have exposed dirt where the weed originally was. With use, the bare dirt becomes a hole. This hole has an enormous potential to injure a person using the field. Boultbee Vegetation Management uses shrouded booms that provide a wide-swath application of herbicides which leave behind lush grasses.
The need to have fence lines sprayed for weed control is mainly a safety issue. Using a mower you can not get close enough to the fence line to control the weeds, while a weed eater can hit the fence and break the trim. A weed eater also has the potential hazard of flinging dust and debris into the air. This could potentially get into your eyes or damage surrounding vehicles. Boultbee Vegetation Management will only have to apply a single treatment yearly.
EFFLUENT LAGOONS / RAPID INFULTRATION PONDS
Weeds have the effect of impeding the flow of primary, secondary and finishing ponds. If the weeds are left unchecked, the roots have the capability of penetrating the liners in these ponds. If the integrity of these liners is compromised, the possibility that raw effluent could flow into the water system of the municipality is high. The aquatic weed control that Boultbee Vegetation Management uses isn't harmful to fish or aquatic life, but will control chlorophyll-based organisms. Controlling algae blooms and duck weed stops the aerobic environment transforming into a foul smelling anaerobic one.
CRACK / CREVICE SIDEWALK WEED CONTROL / HIGHWAY MEDIUMS / FIRE HYDRANTS
The emergence of weeds in sidewalk crevices causes thousands of dollars of damage annually. Weeds break up concrete over time, causing irregular surface walking hazards. As well, a weed-free sidewalk is aesthetically pleasing, and gives the area a clean look. Our specialized equipment applies herbicide directly to the problem area. The products used break down in the soil contained within the crevice that provides the breeding ground for the herbaceous growth. Sidewalks remain weed-free with an annual application.
Major roadway curbs and meridians running through Municipalities are another specialty for our company. Cracks and crevices provide areas for weeds to take hold. Weeds can cause drainage problems and are an unsightly welcome upon entering a City or Village.
Highways need a deer and small animal barrier. Having a zone of low to zero vegetative growth helps prevent vehicles from colliding with these animals. A zone of high visibility before the highway helps animals and humans react sooner to possible impact with each other.
Weeds emerging in the area surrounding fire hydrants can cause delays in locating and/or accessing the hydrant. Weeds also retain moisture, causing wooden poles to rot prematurely. Our specialized equipment applies a weed free circle around fire hydrants, poles and signs. Again, this requires only one annual application.
ELECTRICAL POLES / SUBSTATIONS / CITY YARDS
Transformers receive low voltage electricity from generators in the hydroelectric powerhouse. Transformers in the sub stations convert this low voltage electricity into a higher voltage, which is moved over large distances via transmission lines to substations. Having vegetation growing adjacent to a facility can serve as a seed source. This vegetation can contaminate the crushed rock base at electrical facilities.
If a lightning strike occurs or there is an electrical fault, electrical current can flow through the structure and into the ground. Vegetation can cause potentials (step and touch) that can lead to worker electrocution. Electricity can also be transmitted outside the fenced facility into adjacent areas, increasing the risk to people in these areas to unacceptable levels. Vegetation management objectives are to prevent the growth, or control unwanted vegetation which restricts electrical system operations and reliability, increases the fire hazard potential, compromises public and employee safety, promotes the spread of noxious and invasive weeds, and alters the aesthetics of the landscaped areas around the facilities, especially in urban areas.
