View Full Version : Pond Help
gotglock
08-24-2009, 10:35 AM
Last night it seems raccoons got into one of my back ponds and killed off about $1000 of koi on me. Little devils wrecked all the plants and ate everything. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again? I'm getting tired of stocking this pond every year because some raccoons decide to make a buffet off my fish.
bazil323
08-24-2009, 12:14 PM
Ouch, that stings! Sorry for your losses.
Netting? I know netting helps prevent fishloss from herons, but I'm not sure if it would keep out raccoons.
Of course, you could always keep a beagle on hand, lol.
eroomlorac
08-24-2009, 12:17 PM
I had an outside pond and that's exactly what happened to me. It broke my heart. Now I just have outdoor tubs I bring in during the winter. I don't believe netting will keep the raccoons out. They are pretty tough and strong critters. I don't know how you can keep them out.
bazil323
08-24-2009, 12:29 PM
I just thought of something that might, maybe help. A friend of my parents used to save their urine to sprinkle around their garden to ward off deer. I'm not sure that would work in this case, but you could buy coyote urine or another type (like in a hunting supply store) to spray around your pond to make it smell like a dangerous place to be. You'd have to reapply that, though.
Also, I think I read something about putting clay pots or pvc tubes for the fish to hide in and/or floating plants. Also, raccoons typically hunt in shallower areas and don't like to swim. You could build up the sides of the pond with rocks that would make it more like a sharp incline/cliff that would make the raccoons have to really stretch to get to the water.
gotglock
08-24-2009, 12:39 PM
Also, raccoons typically hunt in shallower areas and don't like to swim. You could build up the sides of the pond with rocks that would make it more like a sharp incline/cliff that would make the raccoons have to really stretch to get to the water.
Thats what we have. The little *******s splahed all the water out to make it easier for them to get at the fish. my guess is they jumped into the ponds shallow area and splashed water out so they can sit there and get my fish. Im about to resort to sitting outside with the .22 and pick them off as they come near the pond.
NOMAD57
08-24-2009, 12:44 PM
Motion detectors that set off lights and a sprinkler valve connected to a Rainbird sprinkler helped me with that sitruation.
drunkenmastera
08-24-2009, 3:43 PM
what about the shock thing?
http://www.canadianpondsonline.com/prod323.html
Jennie Beth
08-24-2009, 11:00 PM
Gotglock,
I have tried the motion activated sprinklers, heard them fire, and run outside to see a racoon patiently waiting for the water to go over it's head before continuing it's destruction of my pond. They also won't work in the winter, as the plastic head will freeze and crack... Even the dog only works if it sleeps next to the pond. The only thing I found that worked reliably was putting a hot wire(electric fence) around the top of the chain link fence, and keeping it plugged in on a timer so it went on at dusk and off at dawn.
Personally, I'm fond of the 'sit out there and blow the little buggers up' method, but you gotta sleep sometime:)
Jen
gotglock
08-25-2009, 12:15 PM
Gotglock,
I have tried the motion activated sprinklers, heard them fire, and run outside to see a racoon patiently waiting for the water to go over it's head before continuing it's destruction of my pond. They also won't work in the winter, as the plastic head will freeze and crack... Even the dog only works if it sleeps next to the pond. The only thing I found that worked reliably was putting a hot wire(electric fence) around the top of the chain link fence, and keeping it plugged in on a timer so it went on at dusk and off at dawn.
Personally, I'm fond of the 'sit out there and blow the little buggers up' method, but you gotta sleep sometime:)
Jen
Sleep is for the weak. Lol
Ohhh soooo sorry!!!!! I know the feeling although my problem isn't raccoons it is blue heron. I put on fake owl on my waterfall and they haven't come back. Raccoons will be harder!!! there was a water sensor in fostersmith.com that senses movement and shoots water. Nets would help too, but those little critters are clever!!! Good luck!! You can also try live trapping them, and taking them for a little car ride!!! lol
How deep is the pond?
How deep and big is the shallow area?
How many gals. on the pond?
gotglock
08-26-2009, 9:56 AM
How deep is the pond?
How deep and big is the shallow area?
How many gals. on the pond?
I'd say the pond is jsut shy of 3 1/2 feet with 2 shallow areas that get about 10 inches deep. As far as gallons, I have no idea. I was useing this as a holding pond for awhile because we were selling some of our koi pretty soon because we had to many.
Dangerdoll
08-26-2009, 11:19 AM
Sleep is for the weak. Lol
this is funny...
unfortunately, I don't have any solutions for you.... maybe tossing in some fake floating fish so when they do go back, they see there's nothing but fakes in there and hoping they move on
Do you see raccoon tracks?
Any sign of fish left behind, scales or bodies?
strongisleHK
08-29-2009, 9:33 PM
put one of those plastic crates at the bottom held down by some rocks, slate, or maybe even some potted plants. fish should be able to get in and out the holes while racoons wont be able to. just an idea man let me know how it works if you decide to try it out.
Dangerdoll
08-30-2009, 1:41 PM
put one of those plastic crates at the bottom held down by some rocks, slate, or maybe even some potted plants. fish should be able to get in and out the holes while racoons wont be able to. just an idea man let me know how it works if you decide to try it out.
now THAT is a great idea!
Jennie Beth
08-30-2009, 2:10 PM
As strongisleHK has suggested....I have black plastic 'milk crates' in my pond for fish hideouts. Put a potted plant or two on top, and they become pretty much invisible, and the fish go thru them like they aren't there. If you keep the hideouts away from the shallows, the racoons won't be able to use them as fishing platforms either. If they are too close to the edge, or to your plant shelf, they will be able to step right out and fish in even deeper water.... I HATE racoons with a passion! Grrrrrr...
Jen
gotglock
08-30-2009, 5:46 PM
103979
Here's what the pond looked like. We saw all the evidence of racoons had been there. But here's the kicker, It had been 2 years for them to go after the fish in the pond. We were using this as a temp pond for some of the koi we were selling to someone before they got to it. As far as the milk carton idea, it's a good idea, but the little *******s would still figure out a way to get at them. I already looked at the electric fence idea. What I might do is make my own and hook a car battery up to it and see if those stupid things fry when they touch it.
Jennie Beth
08-30-2009, 6:35 PM
Ok, what about laying a piece of wooden or plastic lattice over the top as a temporary 'lid'?
Any other pics. of the pond?
That thing filled w/a $1000 of Koi would be hard for any predator not to check out.
Would "shooting fish in a barrel" not be the right thing to inject here....
pam916
08-31-2009, 10:12 AM
You might try motion detector lights, the kind that come on when anything gets near them. You might also try motion detector noise makers. Raccons hunt by smell and if you put anykind of meat in your pond, such as beefheart or leave dog food anywhere near the pond that will attract them. You may also be able to get traps from your local animal control and relocate any that you catch.