Say goodbye to pond pests
1 Jul, 2002 By: Robin M. Bio Landscape ManagementGet rid of algae, geese and mosquitoes by breathing some fresh air into your pond
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It seems like one of the biggest headaches to face is keeping water features algae-free, fowl-free and insect-free. Fortunately, aerating fountains can help eliminate algae, discourage waterfowl and control insects. Unlike many alternate means to rid ponds of pests (i.e. chemical usage), aerating fountains creates an impressive visual addition to any property. Plus, they're environmentally friendly, cost-efficient and virtually maintenance free. Following is a brief description of how aerators can lighten the load in each situation.
Aquatic algae problems
Although algae is an important part of the food chain for aquatic life, too much can be unsightly, cause foul odors and discolor water. When algae gets to be excessive, chances are the source of the problem is high nutrient runoff. Unfortunately, one of the biggest contributors to runoff is something needed to keep turf lush and abundant: fertilizer.
Most fertilizer contains high concentrations of nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen. Through runoff, these extra nutrients are added to a pond, which throws the natural ecosystem off balance and forces it to work extra hard to stabilize itself. Often, an algal bloom occurs as the algae devour the abundant nutrients.
Ponds have their own bacteria that decompose nutrients and act as cleanup devices. Two types of bacteria are present in all lakes and ponds: aerobic and anaerobic. In a healthy pond, there are more aerobic bacteria. They feed on the organic nutrients and convert them into non-organic compounds that algae cannot readily use for food. Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to complete this process.
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In the common instance that too much fertilizer is being induced into a watershed, the aerobic bacteria cannot consume the nutrients fast enough and the pond enters a eutrophic stage. Aerobic bacteria are unable to operate efficiently, and anaerobic bacteria take over. Anaerobic bacteria decompose nutrients but at a much slower rate, and noxious by-products such as methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide are emitted.
When aerobic bacteria cannot process the nutrients as fast as they're being added to the water, algae will feed on the opportunity. As these aggressive plants consume nutrients, they obviously keep growing. But most algae only have a life span of about two weeks. "Old," dying algae discolors the water and adds even more nutrients for other algae to feed on.
What's worse? Well, if your pond has a high nutrient load from fertilizer and it's used as an irrigation source, the turf can become damaged. Additional nutrients are being added on top of what has already been applied.
Too much phosphorus may limit the ability of turf to consume other needed nutrients. Too much nitrogen can restrict root systems, reduce the turf's tolerance to normal wear, and make the turf vulnerable to disease and pest attacks. In other words, more maintenance and money on your part.
The solution is more oxygen. Aerators encourage the longevity of aerobic bacteria by continuously incorporating oxygen into the water. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to consume excess nutrients in the water. This in turn keeps your water clear, odor-free and healthy enough to use for irrigating.
Fly away, fowl
While a few geese may add to the ambiance of a water feature, a few more become an annoyance and a threat.
During their nesting season, geese become aggressive and intolerant to humans who wander too close to their nests. A seemingly harmless bird could turn into an offensive attacker.
A bigger nuisance is the waste and mess that geese produce. When molting in the first warm months of the year, feathers seem to be everywhere and are irritating to gather. What's even more exasperating is the great amount of excrement generated by the fowl. Tracked everywhere from outside to indoors, research indicates that the droppings can contain harmful bacteria such as E. Coli, Giardia, Salmonella and Chlamydiosis. Another concern is the fact that the droppings can cause slips and falls.
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The droppings affect a pond's water quality, too. As they enter the water, either directly or through run-off, bacteria work to metabolize or oxidize the nutrients. In this instance, algae and aquatic weeds will absorb the excess nutrients and grow excessively, causing murky, smelly water.
Aerators can discourage waterfowl, which optimally choose unobstructed ponds close to turf to make their home. Aerating fountains help to break up the landing patterns of larger flocks of waterfowl and to deter the birds by eliminating a wide open landing area in a lake or pond. This tends to cause them to migrate elsewhere.
Bye bye bugs
During the warm months, nothing can be worse than having to swat away insects while trying to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. While insects alone are irritating enough, the threat of the West Nile Virus from mosquitoes has shown that these little pests can also be dangerous.
Water is an attraction to most insects. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water where there are aquatic weeds and scum to which they can attach their eggs.
Aerating fountains break up stagnant water conditions by pumping and circulating water in areas that would normally be still, thus inhibiting the insects' ability to properly nest and lay eggs or reproduce.
In the case of any eggs that were already laid, the aerators break up the surface water and constantly cause surface movement, preventing eggs or larvae from completing their life cycle.
Someone clever once remarked, "Every problem has a solution." You may have always been under the impression that the only solution to your biggest "pest" peeves (algae, geese and insects) were pest management products and costly activities such as dredging your pond. However, by simply installing an aerating fountain that requires minimal maintenance and upkeep, you will significantly reduce pond pest problems.
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