Here at Pondkeeper we know all about the benefits of using barley straw to defeat blanketweed. We have seen first hand how this traditional remedy works. One thing that can look a bit unsightly with barley straw bales is that they are designed to sit just under the water line - making them highly visible. This new treatment sinks as soon as it enters the water. Also, the \'flaked\' appearance of the barley means that water penetrates through the individual pieces more efficiently, releasing more of the active ingredient.