Proper maintenance of a water lily pool included controlling pests and disease. If not kept in check, pests can harm and even kill your plants and animals. Although water lilies are not as susceptiable to pests and disease, you should be aware of the various organisms that can harm your plants.
Insects include:
- Aphids: wash them off with a hose
- Brown China Mark mouth: Keep a kerosene lamp trap nearby, or brush the larvae off the branches.
- Caddis Flies: Have goldfish, they eat them
- Water Lily Leaf Beatle: Trim the pool side vegetation in the water, and submerge infested leaves so your fish will eat the larvae
Other animals that become pests:
- Crawfish
- Muskrats
- Rats and mice
- Snails
- Snapping turtles
Fungal infections can be an issue along with the pests. This problem is extrmemly rare though, and few gardeners will ever be affected by it. Be sure to immediately remove and burn any leaves they may experience a fungus!