Lily pads may be aesthetically pleasing and picturesque, but they can quickly take over the entire surface area of your pond rapidly. So, are lily pads good for ponds?
Depending on where you live, lily pads can be damaging to your pond’s ecosystem if left unchecked.
The Problem with Lily Pads
Lily pads are not all that bad.
They provide habitat for aquatic animals such as dragonflies and frogs, and they provide shade for fish and other invertebrates underneath.
Additionally, their flowers attract pollinators such as bees.
The problem is when they start to take over your pond.
Lily pads spread, and they spread fast. If left alone, it won’t take too long before your pond is covered in lily pads. This can cause overcrowding, stagnation, and a lack of oxygen, making it dangerous for fish and other creatures living in your pond. An abundance of lily pads can also limit the recreational benefits of your pond. It can be hard to swim, fish or boat when there are dozens of lily pads in your way.
When overcrowding takes place on your pond, it can significantly increase oxygen production.
This oxygen is important for fish, animals, and other wildlife in your pond, however, unbalanced levels can lead to an unhealthy environment for inhabitants. An overgrowth of lily pads can also inhibit the movement of fish, eventually reducing the biodiversity of your pond’s ecosystem.
They can also outgrow the native plants in your pond and even overtake them.
A lack of native plants can be detrimental to the plant biodiversity of your waterbody. Native plants have developed mechanisms to defend themselves against many pests and diseases, supporting local ecology.
How Much is Too Much?
Lily pads are spread by the root system underneath the soil, meaning for every one pad you see, there can be dozens or more waiting to pop up.
Lily pads can be considered an aquatic invasive species, these are non-native species that have grown in a new ecosystem.
Wildlife experts usually recommend that lily pads cover a maximum of 25% of a water body. Therefore it’s important to keep these plants in check before they take total reign over your pond or waterfront.
Stop Lily Pads with The LakeMat
The best way to maintain your lake, pond, or waterbody is to invest in our LakeMat.
Choose which area of the water you want to be completely weed-free (yes, this includes lily pads). The LakeMat prevents sunlight from getting through the water’s surface, causing the root system underneath the soil to die.
Place the LakeMat in the desired area for 3 to 4 weeks, and your lily pad problem will be handled.
The LakeMat can solve your lilypad problem and still keep oxygen levels in your water at optimum levels. This chemical-free solution works better than other lake maintenance methods, such as raking, rolling, and harvesting.
Goodbye to Muck Makes it Easy to Control Lily Pads
Goodbye to Muck continuously improving and developing new problems to help make lake maintenance easy and hassle-free.
Contact us today and check out our other products.
We guarantee our products will keep your pond, lake, or waterfront healthy and in pristine condition all year long.