How-To

Keeping predators from your pond

Raccoons and herons can be very troublesome to fish keepers. There's nothing worse than looking down at your lovely pond to find that all of your precious fish have suddenly disappeared! We've heard too many stories to count... not to mention our own experiences. So what can be done?

Having steeps sides on your pond can help with raccoons. They will not enter water that they can't wade into. If your pond is deeper than 2 feet they will not be able to harm your fish because they typically can't hold onto a fish while swimming. Live trapping can also work with raccoons. However, they need to be released at least 20 miles from your pond so they are not able to find their way back.

The easiest way to prevent herons from cleaning out your fish is to have a pond depth of at least 3 feet. Herons cannot stand in 3 feet of water, and therefore makes it more difficult for them to fish.

Heavily planted bog or marginal plants around your pond can deter animals. Submerged plants can some shelter for your fish. Milk crates or a piece of drainpipe in the bottom of your pond can give your fish some place to hide and seek shelter from predators. Be on guard and don't let your fish be a predator feast.

Pond netting is a good solution for deterring heron, but unless secured very well, may not be so good for keeping out raccoons. They are extremely crafty.

We also offer the following products to keep unwanted visitors away from the pond.

The ScareCrow® motion-activated sprinkler automatically detects predators as they approach, and repels them with a short but startling burst of water. The sudden noise, movement and spray scares animals away, teaching them to avoid the area in future. It works day and night without chemicals or unsightly barriers and operates up to six months on a single 9 volt battery. We offer the ScareCrow for $89.

The Advantek 2 pack of galvanized live animal traps features two sizes of live animal traps in a single pack. Catch & release traps are a humane and efficient means of relocating unwanted and troublesome animals. Just $50!

The Fido Shock fence system installs easily by enclosing the area you wish to protect with a single strand of non-insulated wire which is affixed to but insulated from short posts around the area. Drive a grounding rod into the ground, connect the fence wire and grounding rod to the fence charger, plug it in, and your area is protected from pets and other animals. The Fido Shock system works by administering a memorable, but safe electric shock to any animal touching the boundary wire. We have the system at Falling Water Gardens for $74.