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Control Cyanobacteria

Many people ask how to get rid of cyanobacteria. The following options can be considered for how to control cyanobacteria.

Click here to read more about identifying these bacteria.

Dangers of Cyanobacteria:

Blue green algae blooms can include colonies of bacteria, such as cyanobacteria, that are potentially dangerous to other living organisms. Not all bacteria or blue green algae blooms are dangerous or potentially harmful. They would have to contain cyanotoxins.

Manual/Mechanical Control:

If you are considering how to remove cyanobacteria, physically changing the pond water to remove all water contaminated with cyanobacteria can be an effective method of control. However, this is not a realistic solution for most situations.

Algaecides for Cyanobacteria Control:

The same active ingredients that kill algae can kill cyanobacteria as well. Copper algaecides generally offer the best cyanobacteria control. Sodium percarbonate algaecides are also very effective at killing cyanobacteria. However, while these products can kill the cyanobacteria, they will not remove the cyanotoxins. Treating regularly can reduce the scale of the cyanobacteria blooms and limit the total amount of cyanotoxins. Copper algaecides are not recommended in ponds with trout, koi, or channel catfish. Sodium percarbonate algaecides are a good alternative.

Copper algaecides:

Mizzen *Max label rate* (for ponds or lakes) – liquid that is diluted with water and sprayed over the algae, fast acting. Re-apply when algae bloom again.
Copper sulfate *Max label rate* (for lakes) – granules that are broadcast over the algae, fast acting. Re-apply when algae bloom again.

Sodium percarbonate algaecides:

Cape Furl (for ponds or lakes) – granules (almost a powder) that are broadcast over the algae, fast acting. Re-apply when algae bloom again.
GreenClean (for ponds or lakes) – granules that are broadcast over the algae, fast acting. Re-apply when algae bloom again.

Treatment Tips:

If you have identified cyanobacteria in your water,

Keep people, pets, and wildlife out of water when cyanobacteria are present.
Keep a close eye on the health of pets, people and wildlife. Signs of illness, including vomiting and diarrhea, could indicate the presence of cyanotoxins.
Reach out to local natural resources, fish and wildlife or other agencies to see if you can get water tested for cyanotoxins and understand if there are any health and safety risks.
Treat regularly with algaecides to lower the total cyanobacteria growth and associated toxin production.
Reduce phosphorus with PhosControl.

When treating algae,

If the algae are around the perimeter, treat the whole perimeter.
Treat no more than half the pond at a time, about two weeks apart.

Prevent Algae Growth:

There are no products available that can completely prevent algae growth. Directly managing nuisance pond algae growth through regular pond algae treatment or removal efforts will always be important for pond algae control. However, you can work to limit algae growth by reducing the nutrients that algae need to grow. Phosphorus is the main nutrient for algae growth, and removing the phosphorus from the water is a proactive effort for algae reduction. If you have confirmed cyanobacteria, reach out to a professional capable of gathering site-specific information before using nutrient reducers; exact dosing is necessary.

PhosControl (for ponds or lakes) – granules that are broadcast into the treatment area. Bonds with the free phosphorus and some other organic materials. Use when there is minimal plant and algae growth.
SparKlear (for ponds or lakes) – granules that are broadcast or liquid that is diluted and sprayed into the treatment area. The beneficial bacteria dissolve the excess nutrients, fast acting.