| Have you ever gone out to your pond and found | | | | is a decoy fish. They are very colorful, fake fish |
| a few of your favorite fish dead or half eaten by | | | | that float in your pond. Birds and other predators |
| the neighborhood animals? For most pond owners | | | | tend to go after the slowest, weakest one. The |
| with outdoor ponds this is a constant problem. | | | | animal will attack the decoy first, allowing the rest |
| Birds, raccoons, cats, and other animals often lay | | | | of your fish an opportunity to hide! |
| claim to ponds as their own personal buffet. | | | | A more maniacal deterrent is the use of fake |
| However there is hope for this seemingly endless | | | | alligators or other predators. Scare away the |
| struggle. Let me share a few methods we have | | | | uninvited! These are simple floaters or statues |
| used in the past that proved successful. | | | | that can be purchased in any garden or water |
| Hiding places are a must when creating a pond. | | | | décor store. Some even come with solar |
| Fish caves can be purchased or built by placing a | | | | power eyes that glow in the dark! |
| piece of slate or flat rock on top of a couple | | | | The simplest method however, would be netting |
| boulders. Be sure to build them in the deepest | | | | for your pond. Although not the prettiest |
| part of your pond. Most animals do not enjoy | | | | accessory it definitely works! Pond nets can be |
| getting wet (with the exception of some birds,) | | | | bought to fit ponds of all shapes and sizes. Watch |
| and more than likely won't dive in your pond to | | | | out for poorly made nets with weak meshing. |
| catch fish. Floating planters and plants are another | | | | These can easily be torn by beaks or claws. |
| way to help your fish hide. They provide a | | | | If these inexpensive, simple methods prove |
| protective covering and allow a place to escape | | | | unsatisfactory you can use a motion sensor |
| potential predators. | | | | sprinkler. These devices attach to a garden hose |
| If your problem is primarily with birds there may | | | | and can be mounted on a patio deck or secured |
| be an easy solution. Fake, realistic looking birds can | | | | in the ground. They spray unwanted animals and |
| be used as a form of protection. Most types of | | | | or people with a burst of water when triggered. |
| birds are territorial. If another bird is occupying a | | | | Although this product is very effective is can be |
| pond (or open buffet as they see it,) they usually | | | | costly. |
| fly off to find another fishing-hole. However, this | | | | No method (short of extermination,) will prove |
| might not work with every type of bird. Also, if | | | | 100% effective. There will always be a clever |
| you use this method be sure to reposition the | | | | predator that finds a way to outsmart you. |
| replica bird every week. We have found that they | | | | However, by using some of the ideas shared with |
| are clever and quickly discover our ruse. | | | | you, you can convert your all you can eat buffet |
| Another inexpensive and fairly effective method | | | | to a once-a-year snack! |