Having your own pond can bring a lot of joy and fishing into your life, but oftentimes they also come with a little bit of work and sometimes even some headaches. One of these headaches if unwanted weeds and algae that can grow in and around your pond, can drastically ruin the fun a pond can create. Luckily, there are many ways to treat the weeds and algae, so let’s talk about it!
Pond Weeds
Just like an open field or even in your yard, weeds can also grow in a pond. Some weeds are good for the pond, especially if you have fish, but not all of them are. If you have too many weeds that block the access to the water or take up all of the waterfront itself, you know you might need to thin out the weeds or get rid of them all together! While some weeds can be physically removed, this is often hard work and they will eventually return and grow again.
Pond Algae
Algae is different than weeds in that it has no root system and usually floats around or on top of the water. And as with the weeds, some forms of algae in the pond are a good thing and actually beneficial. Other types of algae or an excess of it can create problems for activities like swimming, fishing, or boating. It can also be harmful to the wildlife in and around your pond, as it can prevent sunlight and oxygen from penetrating into the depths of the water where it is needed.
Treating Your Pond
Now let’s get into actually treating your pond. There are plenty of different methods of doing this with chemicals and herbicides, but they will all have their own pros and cons when it comes to using them. Your best bet is a safe herbicide like Diquat that is cost-effective and safe for fish and swimming after it is done treating the pond.
To treat your pond, start by preparing and mixing the Diquat. You will then apply it directly to the target weeds that you want to get rid of. Be careful to only do 1/3 of the pond at a time, as killing off all of the weeds at once can deplete the oxygen in the pond and harm the fish.
Now for the algae. The best way to get rid of algae is to use a pond dye. This is a safe and non-toxic way of killing off algae by filtering UV light to prohibit algae and weed growth. Make sure to follow all of the instructions and warnings before using!
Considerations On How To Control Aquatic Weeds
The strategy you use will be entirely dependent on your location, pond size and environment, as well as the nuisance species of aquatic weeds that are present. Fish species can be used to assist control of problematic weeds in any of the categories discussed in this article. Water lilies, water hyacinth, and water lettuce, for example, are known to be eaten by koi, goldfish, and grass carp. This strategy won’t work on weed-infested ponds, but it’s the most effective way to keep the plants under control over time after they’ve been eradicated, whether manually or chemically.
Final Thoughts
Having a pond is a great way to enjoy the water, but weeds and algae can be headaches to deal with. Hopefully, now you have a better idea of how to treat your own pond and be rid of them!
Check out the articles below to learn more about pond fishing:
How to Choose the Right Lure to Catch Bass in Any Pond
How to Find Out About Urban Fishing Lakes Near Me
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
