Warning: Are Green Aliens Invading Your Lakes or Ponds?

Over time, all pond owners should have experienced the following three issues:

• The pond water has changed color.
• A thick mass of scum and/or aquatic algae growth has covered the pond.
• A strong foul odor emanating from the pond.

Have you ever wondered why this happens and what are these green species? These are basically the invasive aquatic species that come from different lands. These exotic species are very harmful to ponds and lakes. They do not occur naturally and are brought about accidentally or intentionally. Not all exotic plants are harmful, but there are many that have the potential to disrupt the natural ecosystem.

Eurasian water yarrow is the most common invasive plant species spreading in dense mats that make swimming and navigating nearly impossible. Once they enter a body of water, they go unnoticed at first, giving them enough time to spread over a large area. It’s usually too late by the time your presence is noticed and removing weeds from the lake becomes even more difficult. Isn’t it better to adopt aquatic weed control methods well in advance? After all, prevention is better than cure. If we stop all imports and travel to the coasts, all future invasions will stop. But this is almost impossible! To prevent further invasion, you should adopt best practices beforehand. This will improve your chances of keeping your body of water weed-free without using any aquatic herbicides. The safe bet is –

1. It is important that you keep in mind that on your return to your homeland, no strange plants or animals will travel with you. It is very easy to bring organisms from another region. Remember the bedbug infestation across the country? Its spread to America was from Asia in a traveler’s luggage.

2. Never transport fruit, wood or plant material placed in an isolated place. Such internal movements are generally responsible for the spread of pests such as the mimosa codling moth, the Asian longhorned beetle, and many others.

3. It is your duty to properly inspect your vehicle, trailer or boat that you are towing. It can accidentally bring in invasive plant and animal species like the Asian yarrow. It has already drowned several of our lakes and streams. They can be easily transplanted from one body of fresh water to another by means of small pieces.

4. Be careful when releasing alien species into the wild. For example, throwing a fish tank into the water. You may not know what environmental disaster it could bring you.

In short, you must be very aware of what you are transporting from one region to another and within the country.