Predator Control Methods- Part 3 of 3

There are so many ideas and gadgets out there so the trick is to find out the ones that will work best given your situation. You may feel angry, annoyed or upset with your fish loss, but keep in mind that most animals & birds are federally protected, so humane treatment is recommended!

Read the following (and Parts 1 and Part 2 Predator Control Blogs) to help you make your decision but remember to Employ several types to Protect – physical barriers, caves/hiding places, habitat controls; and Deter- decoys, water, sound & light, traps & repellants.

1. Barriers-Fences & Netting, Floating Discs, Fish Caves / Tunnels & Hiding Places, Floating Planters
2. Decoys– herons, owls, alligators, coyote, faux fish. Water Scaring (Scarecrow), Sound (Ultrasonic) & Light deflecting devices.
3. Habitat Deterrents-electric fence, spike strips, live traps, repellants, habitat / environmental controls (landscape ideas).

Fencing– to completely enclose your pond- Heron Stop or Electric Fencing.

Heron Stop is easy to install that prevents herons from approaching your pond by creating an impassable barrier that deters herons from getting too close and preying on your precious fish without blocking your view of the pond. Each pond heron deterrent kit contains 8 synthetic stakes, 82′ of nylon line and 8 jingle bells to protect up to 40′ of shoreline.

Electric Fencing is another deterrent to keep herons, raccoons and other predators that would walk into your pond. These fences are around 1’ tall with electrical lines running around the perimeter of the pond. Once touched, the animal experiences a mild shock, deterring it from

Bird-X Solar Yard Gard UltraSonic Predator Control Electronic Pest Chaser is a humane and eco-friendly pest deterrent that uses motion-activated ultrasonic sound waves (silent to most humans) to scare away predators. Targets nuisance animals such as  birds, bats, opossums, deer, raccoons, rabbits and rodents that cause damage to your ponds, lawn and plants.

For best results, install the unit mounted on a stake at the level of the targeted pests and face the unit in the direction from which they arrive, with no walls or other structural barriers blocking the sound. The programmable species settings, frequencies, intermittence, hours of operation can be used to maintain the element of surprise and change the sound pattern to target specific animals

NYCON Oval Floating Plant Protector/Fish Barriers

This product is best used spring through fall unless you live in an area where it does not freeze. Confines floating water plants to a specific area while protecting plants from fish.

Totally redesigned with new sizes and comes completely assembled to form an irregular naturally round shape confines floating water plants to a specific area and can be anchored. Keeps pond cleaner; leaves from plants are contained in a basket and won’t pollute the pond.

Decoys & Faux Fish

Predator decoys such as Alligators, Owls & Coyotes may help deter the rascals that visit your pond but they need to be moved around on occasion. Many people use Heron decoys to deter them, but this doesn’t work well during the breeding season in May. Faux fish (fake floating fish) can be added to your pond to trick predators and keep them busy giving your fish more time to get away.

Humane Traps

There are humane, live traps to catch and release animals such as raccoons, opossum and snakes. You can purchase them online or at your local feed store. Check with your local fish and wildlife service to make sure it is legal to do so in your state. This may be arduous task, determent may be an easier and more effective, less disruptive solution. Refer to Havahart® for more information http://www.havahart.com/large-1-door-collapsible-trap-3-pack

There are humane, live traps to catch and release animals such as raccoons, opossum and snakes. You can purchase them online or at your local feed store. Check with your local fish and wildlife service to make sure it is legal to do so in your state. This may be arduous task, determent may be an easier and more effective, less disruptive solution. Refer to Havahart® for more information http://www.havahart.com/large-1-door-collapsible-trap-3-pack

Heron Stop Reflector Heron Control

The Heron Stop Reflector can possibly bring relief to your fish. It features the holographic bird of prey eye on a 6″ silver-colored floating globe that is supposed to provide a constant reflection of light as it moves in the water, frightening herons away. Place multiple globes in your pond for added defense- and at various heights. Does it work- reviews show otherwise- I would not have this item as your only defense.

Nite Guard Solar® Light

Use this weatherproof product year round to help protect your pond from predators. Easy to use, just mount the Nite Guard Solar® light at eye level of the animal to be stopped and face it away from the area to be protected. One to four lights will be required depending upon your application. It is NOT motion activated but will flash automatically from dusk through dawn so night animals are stopped at long distances away. As with any predator control option, the lights may need to be moved periodically to continue to deter predators. Use it on blue heron, hawks, raccoons, deer, fox, opossum, bobcats, coyotes, muskrats, bear, cougar, mountain lion, wild boar, mink, skunk, wolf and weasels.

Atlantic® Pond & Garden Protector Net Kits

Atlantic Pond & Water Garden Protector Net keeps leaves, debris and predators out of your pond or water garden while allowing light in allowing plants to grow to ideal height. This ideal instant line of defense for plants and expensive koi against many types of predators including osprey, hawks, herons, egrets, kingfishers, rabbits and raccoons that may visit in your absence.

You can also use bird or pond netting to cover your pond, make sure it is tight across the pond above water level and not sagging into the water. Fish can get caught and plants can go into it making a big mess. Netting is probably the most effective way to keep predators out of your pond, but I would also combine it with some kind of decoy &/or deflector device.

If you need additional assistance or advice, you can email us at [email protected] or ask Kerri at [email protected].

We do not carry all of these above mentioned gadgets  and devices but we can order them for you or you may find them online.