Bermuda barley straw is an effective alternative for controlling algae in pondsr the treatment is completely safe for fish wildlife pets plants and humans simply place the barley pouch in your pond and the decomposing straw releases chemical compounds that help to control the algae populationr barley straw works best where there is some water movement so ideally site near a waterfall fountain or filter outlet as this is where the pond will generate the most oxygen allowing the barley str