What can I do for Blue/Green Algae?
Blue/green algae (cyanobacteria) can produce toxins that are harmful to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife. If you see signs of a bloom (green scum, pea-soup water, or surface mats), treat the situation carefully:
- Do NOT swim, fish, or draw water for animals or irrigation until the algae is gone and the water is safe again.
- Do NOT apply algaecides directly. In New Zealand, chemical treatment of blue/green algae in ponds and waterways is highly restricted and can actually make the problem worse by releasing more toxins when the algae cells break apart.
- Safer approaches include:
- Physical removal of surface scums where practical (using nets or pumps, and disposing of material away from water).
- Improving water circulation and aeration, which reduces the stagnant conditions algae thrive in.
- Reducing nutrient inputs for example, diverting runoff, limiting fertiliser near water, or planting buffer vegetation around ponds. Less nitrogen and phosphorus = fewer blooms.
After removal and/or treatment of algae, RUSH® All Natural Algae Treatment can be applied to visible areas, where it works by targeting organic matter and accelerating natural breakdown using eco-based oxidizers rather than harsh chemicals.
After the immediate bloom has been managed, additional all-natural products help restore balance by boosting beneficial bacteria, improving oxygen levels, and reducing excess nutrients creating a healthier aquatic environment that makes it harder for blue/green algae to return.
Please Note: Our products are NOT algaecides, they do not ‘kill algae’ directly.
