Aquatic Weed Nuisance Prevention

Aquatic plants found in ponds and lakes are beneficial to many aquatic wildlife. They provide food, dissolve oxygen, and ideal for spawning and nesting. Moreover, it is a preferable habitat by my waterfowls. Aquatic plants are also helpful to balance the ecosystem, they trap excessive and detoxify chemicals. They also increase the appealing looks of such body of water, aquatic plants such as water lily and cattails provide floral beauty to garden ponds.

Excessive growth

However, even though aquatic plants provide numerous benefits both in aquatic plants and humans, excessive growth over 25% of the surface area of aquatic plants can seriously interfere the body of water’s recreation and can be a threat to aquatic lives. Excessive growth of aquatic plants particularly water lily can restrict you from swimming, boating, fishing and other kinds of water recreational activities. Dense growth can be a nightmare that kills other water species including fish and other water plants. Green plants produce oxygen in sunlight and that keeps the pond or lake’s condition natural. However, keep in mind that they consume oxygen at night. Without balance, this can lead to destructive condition. Decomposing water weeds can deplete the oxygen supply resulting suffocation and fish kills. It can result too much cover preventing predation and can clog waterways.

Prevention

Prevention is the best way to solve the problem before it happens. Being a proactive owner can make the aquatic weed control much cheaper and easier. Preventing aquatic weeds from growing excessively will not just reduce the hassle but also gives you the sense of assurance and comfort. By construction, a steep slope can prevent these aquatic weeds to grow excessively. Making shade cover your pond is another way to avoid the water lilies and cattails to grow excessively. Their primary source of energy is the sunlight, hence, you can manage their numbers and control their aggressiveness by keeping them away from their primary resource of energy.

Animal wastes and fertilizers should be diverted around the pond. It is highly recommended to use grass-lined diversion ditch in case that you are managing a lake. This can prevent soil erosion, fertilizer runoff, avoid adding grass clipping ponds and steep pond banks.

Weed removal methods

Selection of weed removal methods or combination of treatments is essential. Yet, again different pond or lake has a different aquatic condition. First, you must be aware of your climate condition, the area of your pond, environmental condition and the purpose of your pond. If most of your problem include submerged plants, then it is highly recommended to exterminate them from their roots. It does not make sense to cut them on a regular basis so, make sure to cut them from their roots. Using an aquatic weed rake and net will prevent these aquatic plants to growth back. However, keep in mind that your regular lawn rake is will not work. Make sure to use aquatic weed rake that is intended for ponds and lakes. After raking, covering the pond with plastic sheeting or layer mineral soils are effective waterweed control technique.