View Full Version : How Do You Protect Your Koi Pond From Heron?
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 7:11pm
I drove into the driveway yesterday and away flies a blue heron. Oh shit.... It came from my pond. Long story short, it got 6 of our 16 fish... It got my wife's favorite one too, so life is hell right now.:sadangel:
How do you keep those things away?
I could keep the shot gun loaded and nearby, but that won't work when we're not home.
Damn...6 years in this house and this is the first time we've been pilfered...
1/4" x 1/4" mesh, staked to ground. metal.
99 pewtercoupe
06-19-2013, 7:15pm
I drove into the driveway yesterday and away flies a blue heron. Oh shit.... It came from my pond. Long story short, it got 6 of our 16 fish... It got my wife's favorite one too, so life is hell right now.:sadangel:
How do you keep those things away?
I could keep the shot gun loaded and nearby, but that won't work when we're not home.
Damn...6 years in this house and this is the first time we've been pilfered...
We had one clean out our pond. T least we only had cheap gold fish but some had been in there a couple of years and had grown to 5" or so.
We got a plastic blue heron and set it on a pole right beside the pond. Have not seen a heron back since
JRD77VET
06-19-2013, 7:17pm
1/4" x 1/4" mesh, staked to ground. metal.
:iagree:
Does it have a fountain of some type in it? Th eripples in the water make it harder for the bird to see the fish.
One of these would be most effective :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/Seneca%20Arms%20Co/DCP_1667A.jpg
ApexOversteer
06-19-2013, 7:18pm
Motion sensor alarm. Something that will scare him off when he lands.
99 pewtercoupe
06-19-2013, 7:20pm
:iagree:
Does it have a fountain of some type in it? Th eripples in the water make it harder for the bird to see the fish.
One of these would be most effective :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/Seneca%20Arms%20Co/DCP_1667A.jpg
Our pond is less than 30 yds from our deck. I have an air rifle that I could pull out if necessary but I hate to hurt an animal that is just trying to eat.
What we did on our back pond.
Front pond is too deep for them to get the Koi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKgiHOVN0rw
ApexOversteer
06-19-2013, 7:24pm
Our pond is less than 30 yds from our deck. I have an air rifle that I could pull out if necessary but I hate to hurt an animal that is just trying to eat.
+1.
I don't get the thinking behind laying out a buffet for these magnificent birds and then bitching when they show up to dinner.
We had one clean out our pond. T least we only had cheap gold fish but some had been in there a couple of years and had grown to 5" or so.
We got a plastic blue heron and set it on a pole right beside the pond. Have not seen a heron back since
We tried that also, didnt work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vvlwtAVdY
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 7:29pm
What we did on our back pond.
Front pond is too deep for them to get the Koi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKgiHOVN0rw
That looks like a good deterrent... $45.00 on Amazon...:seasix:
:cert:
Kerrmudgeon
06-19-2013, 7:29pm
Buy more fish.:D
Any pics of the blue heron? Aren't they a protected species? :bigears:
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 7:30pm
Well, I just loaded up with bird shot... It'll die if I see it again.
In the meantime, we're ordering the pod scarecrow...
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 7:32pm
Buy more fish.:D
Any pics of the blue heron? Aren't they a protected species? :bigears:
I don't know... They are beautiful birds though.
I'm just gonna throw some orange snow fence over the pond until the scarecrow gets here. There's no way that I'll get a shot off at it.
MEANZ06
06-19-2013, 7:44pm
Pretty smart F'rs... :Jeff '79:
GREEN HERON CATCHING FISH_0001.wmv - YouTube
I tried the motion sensitive scarecrow. It worked but my wife hated the fact that every time she got near the pond she was sprayed. Took it out. If you want it, you can have it. Just pay postage.
Just keep buying fish.
99 pewtercoupe
06-19-2013, 7:47pm
We tried that also, didnt work.
Stop Blue Herons eating Pond Fish - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vvlwtAVdY)
Actually a very similar concept to what we used when one of our cats decided she wanted to pee behind the big TV in the family room. Got these motion detectors that connect on top of a can of compressed air. When she went behind the TV, she got a blast of canned air. She learned very quickly to not go there. Unfortunately I don't think they would be nearly as effective outside
I tried the motion sensitive scarecrow. It worked but my wife hated the fact that every time she got near the pond she was sprayed. Took it out. If you want it, you can have it. Just pay postage.
Just keep buying fish.
Ahhh....turn the water off first?
Blademaker
06-19-2013, 7:52pm
Blue Heron Recipe! (http://www.fishtheclassic.net/forums/showthread.php?31670-Blue-Heron-Recipe)!
Not what you think.........:seasix:
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 7:53pm
I tried the motion sensitive scarecrow. It worked but my wife hated the fact that every time she got near the pond she was sprayed. Took it out. If you want it, you can have it. Just pay postage.
Just keep buying fish.
:Jeff '79: My cats may not like it, but I'll be able to point it in such a way as to not get us wet if we trip it.
That's mighty kind of you.
PM almost sent....:cert:
99 pewtercoupe
06-19-2013, 7:58pm
I tried the motion sensitive scarecrow. It worked but my wife hated the fact that every time she got near the pond she was sprayed. Took it out. If you want it, you can have it. Just pay postage.
Just keep buying fish.
Pics of wife in wet tee shirt?:dance::dance::dance:
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 8:12pm
A few seasonal ornaments some plywood and some snow fence really dresses up the place.:seasix:
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/DSC06053_zps8187f609.jpg
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/DSC06051_zps1eb56276.jpg
JRD77VET
06-19-2013, 8:13pm
So how many beers did that take mr exterior designer? :crazy:
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 8:14pm
So how many beers did that take mr exterior designer? :crazy:
:yesnod:Green is definitely your color....:rofl:
MEANZ06
06-19-2013, 8:22pm
Pics of wife in wet tee shirt?:dance::dance::dance:
:above:
xXBUDXx
06-19-2013, 8:22pm
A few seasonal ornaments some plywood and some snow fence really dresses up the place.:seasix:
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/DSC06053_zps8187f609.jpg
http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/DSC06051_zps1eb56276.jpg
I wouldn't mess with that bird. Look at the size of his boots.
Cybercowboy
06-19-2013, 8:25pm
This is how we are protecting our small 130 gallon patio pond. Half our fish are gone in the last week, it was time to do something.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/Cybercowboy1961/B3AD0AB1-FCEB-4344-AEF7-809FC06755CF-192-000000071FA06D26_zps79cd81dd.jpg
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 8:26pm
This is how we are protecting our small 130 gallon patio pond. Half our fish are gone in the last week, it was time to do something.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/Cybercowboy1961/B3AD0AB1-FCEB-4344-AEF7-809FC06755CF-192-000000071FA06D26_zps79cd81dd.jpg
Did you have the lettuce in there prior to the netting?
99 pewtercoupe
06-19-2013, 8:31pm
This is how we are protecting our small 130 gallon patio pond. Half our fish are gone in the last week, it was time to do something.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/Cybercowboy1961/B3AD0AB1-FCEB-4344-AEF7-809FC06755CF-192-000000071FA06D26_zps79cd81dd.jpg
We used similar netting when we found out we had a snake in our pond that was eating fish and frogs. Mr Snake got tangled up in the netting. I introduced him to Mr Shovel, it was an Illinois water snake...not venomous but very aggressive and will attack you. Catch and release was not an option
LilRedCorvette
06-19-2013, 9:40pm
:waiting: Would love to know a non-gun method...our HOA has 2 large retention ponds that have, errr, had, lots of koi in them. :sadangel: Both too big for netting...
Jeff '79
06-19-2013, 9:51pm
CP is sending me this thing... I looks like it has promise...:seasix:
Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Sprinkler - YouTube
Cybercowboy
06-20-2013, 6:42am
CP is sending me this thing... I looks like it has promise...:seasix:
Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Sprinkler - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Hpyu8ZN3M)
Yeah, we heard about that but it would be a big problem for our pond as its right on our patio and plus we have a couple of cats who don't hurt anything and like to get a little drink out of the pond now and then.
Jeff '79
06-20-2013, 6:54am
Yeah, we heard about that but it would be a big problem for our pond as its right on our patio and plus we have a couple of cats who don't hurt anything and like to get a little drink out of the pond now and then.
Our cats drink from the pond too...Oh well, we have to save the fish.
onedef92
06-20-2013, 7:46am
They are absolutely spectacular to see as they take to the air. Have you ever seen the way they trail their long legs behind them in flight? It's absolutely graceful.
http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s607/MRay5/DSC_45883_zps2ff08861.jpg
jaxgator
06-20-2013, 8:21am
They are absolutely spectacular to see as they take to the air. Have you ever seen the way they trail their long legs behind them in flight? It's absolutely graceful.
http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s607/MRay5/DSC_45883_zps2ff08861.jpg
:yesnod: I have seen shit tons of Blue Heron around here. Especiallly when I go to the Ocklawaha river. Have seen a lot of these jokers too in the area...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hqNEr2vK7bo/UP0xlksEYdI/AAAAAAAABkU/1mkKrvEsQck/s640/Kayaking+The+Silver+River+and+Ocklawaha+River,+Florida,+Basking+Alligator,+IRISHWATERDOGS.jpg
And believe it or not, I've even seen some of these there as well...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RLLqltmTSbg/UP0xqGU3BvI/AAAAAAAABlc/8sBqT5h2tyI/s640/Macaque+monkeys,+Kayaking+The+Silver+River+and+Ocklawaha+River,+Florida,+IRISHWATERDOGS.jpg
CP is sending me this thing... I looks like it has promise...:seasix:
On its way. :seasix:
C5Nate
06-20-2013, 10:29am
am I the only one who read Heron as Heroin? :leaving:
Yes.
island14
06-20-2013, 11:42am
They are absolutely spectacular to see as they take to the air. Have you ever seen the way they trail their long legs behind them in flight? It's absolutely graceful.
http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s607/MRay5/DSC_45883_zps2ff08861.jpg
I bet they taste as good or better than Cormorant.. :D
Just use goldfish for bait.. :seasix:
onedef92
06-20-2013, 11:43am
I bet they taste as good or better than Cormorant.. :D
Just use goldfish for bait.. :seasix:
I'll bet they do, too. :yesnod: :) :lol:
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae289/toointen/Outdoors/Birds/IMG_5634.jpg
The_Dude
06-20-2013, 11:44am
Rich people problems.
Jeff '79
06-20-2013, 4:32pm
On its way. :seasix:
Thanks CP.:seasix:..:cert: The check is in the mail too.
My impromptu remodel worked... No fish got eaten today but it looks like ca-ca...
I can't wait to get it and hook up the deer-cam...
That ought to make for some funny video....:Jeff '79:
MrPeabody
06-20-2013, 4:37pm
CP is sending me this thing... I looks like it has promise...:seasix:
Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Sprinkler - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Hpyu8ZN3M)
People around here use those for deer. They work pretty well.
OddBall
06-20-2013, 7:11pm
Rich people problems.
Koi problems too.
racer313g
06-20-2013, 9:38pm
They are protected so you can't really shoot them. I have a 1/2 acre pond and it's not uncommon for me to see two or three out there. I haven't found a reliable way to protect the fish in a pond as large as mine.
For smaller ponds you should use netting and make sure there is a place for fish to hide. I've seen people make hiding spots out of 4 inch pvc.
Decoys and sprayers apparently only work for as long as it takes for the birds to figure them out.
Jeff '79
06-22-2013, 1:45pm
I got it CP.. THat was fast. I love the USPS... Best service out there.
I'm going to a pool party so I probably won't get it running until tomorrw.
THanks again !!! :cert::cert:
C5Nate
06-23-2013, 11:59am
Decoys and sprayers apparently only work for as long as it takes for the birds to figure them out.
Getting nailed by a sprinkler is something they dont forget, they just move on. They have not come back around in years. All my Koi are still there in both ponds.
island14
06-23-2013, 3:01pm
After looking at this photo again I decided that If I ever move back to the USA I want you to come over and help me decorate my house trailer.
:cert:
http://64.19.142.11/i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/DSC06051_zps1eb56276.jpg
Jeff '79
06-23-2013, 3:09pm
After looking at this photo again I decided that If I ever move back to the USA I want you to come over and help me decorate my house trailer.
:cert:
http://64.19.142.11/i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/DSC06051_zps1eb56276.jpg
I'll bring the plywood and orange snow fence....:lol:
My wife is the genius of all the other stuff.
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