How to Keep Pests Away From Your Pond
Your backyard pond is more than just a water feature, it’s part of an ecosystem as a vital source of freshwater for birds, frogs, rabbits, and even pollinators.
One of the best parts of owning a pond is watching local wildlife stop by for a sip or a swim. But while you're inviting in the good kind of guests, you might also be drawing in some unwanted ones.
Pests like mosquitoes, slugs, snails, and plant-eating insects can quickly disrupt the balance of your pond’s ecosystem. Fortunately, with a few smart strategies and the right products, you can keep your pond healthy and pest-resistant, without disturbing the wildlife you want to enjoy.
The Buzz: Mosquito Prevention in your Pond
Mosquitoes love still water because it’s where they lay their eggs. The simplest and most effective way to stop them is to keep the pond's surface constantly circulating and agitated. Circulation prevents mosquito breeding and keeps water oxygenated, which benefits your fish and plants.
- Add a nozzle kit to your pond pump to create a constant flow
- Add a filter kit with pump if your pond is big and needs a little more movement
- A waterfall spillway is a dramatic, beautiful way to circulate pond water
If mosquitoes lay eggs in your pond, goldfish, mosquito fish, minnows, and guppies will be more than happy to eat the larvae once they hatch.
More Pond Pests & What to Do About Them
Aphids
Small pests called aphids love to eat leafy greens, sucking the sap from your plants. Spraying your plants with a mixture of water and neem oil or soap can solve most aphid problems, but be careful spraying near the water if you have fish. Ladybugs love to eat aphids and can be introduced as a natural solution.
Aquatic Leaf Beetles
Aquatic leaf beetle adults and their larvae both enjoy eating pond plants. Adults munch on leaves above the water, and the larvae below. Spray adults off with water, and let frogs or salamanders take care of the larvae. Prevent future infestations by removing dead leaves and plant debris in the spring and fall, where beetles often overwinter.
Slugs
Slugs can become problematic around a pond. Their natural predators are frogs and newts. You can help prevent slugs by keeping your pond plants surrounded by sand, which makes it harder for them to reach the plants. They do not like copper; you can use copper wire or pennies to keep slugs from reaching your plants. Planting strong mint, chives, garlic, fennel, foxgloves, and geraniums can also deter these unwelcome visitors.
Snails
Native snails are fine in moderation, but when their numbers explode, they can overtake your pond. Try this easy trick: place lettuce leaves in the pond overnight. In the morning, remove the leaf and the snails that have gathered on it. Koi and goldfish also help control snail populations by snacking on smaller snails.
Note: Invasive snails require caution and should never be relocated to natural waterways.
Keep the Balance: Living in Harmony
A pond is a living ecosystem, and complete control over its inhabitants is nearly impossible. While wildlife appreciates having this source of freshwater, so will pests. By following this guide, you can maintain a beautiful backyard retreat that attracts the good kind of wildlife while keeping pests at bay. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
