Snails will eat pond algae such as blanket weed, uneaten fish food and decaying matter. They are recognised as an ecologically safe way to control algae without the use of chemicals.

What animal eats pond weed?

Otter, beaver, muskrats, turtles, moose and even bear graze on a variety of aquatic plants. Several kinds of invertebrates, especially aquatic insects, eat aquatic plants.

How do I get rid of blanket weed?

Blanket weed and other floating algae are easily removed by twirling them out of the pond with a cane but this will only be a temporary solution. All pond algae can sometimes be discouraged by floating a mesh bag of barley straw on the pond – about 50g of straw per sq m (1½ oz per sq yd) of water surface area is ideal.