After successfully keeping them out for 6 years, the Raccoons destroyed my above-ground Goldfish pond and ate all but one fish. I'd like to rebuild it but there's not much point unless I can find a foolproof way of keeping the 'coons out, and the remaining fish is too huge for an aquarium. Anyone have any tips?.
Raccoon-proofing pond
- Thread starter Tony Chick
- Start date
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
The trick is designing something that works, but doesn't look like crap and distract from the appearance of the pond. My pond was relatively small and in a section of my garden with a Japanese style. I made a lattice of redwood 1 X 1 inch stakes, with a square grid pattern with about 6 X 6 inch openings. It had a "trellis" style look to it, and the fish/plants could be viewed easily. It was also large enough to place large stones on the edges that extended beyond the pond, so it looked good and couldn't be lifted by the raccoons. to the underside of the cover, I later added the black netting with approximately 1/2 squares used to protect fruit trees and such from birds. It was quite affective while still being attractive and allowing free viewing of the fish.
You can try Shake-Away™ or Get Away® and/or an ultrasonic device or motion-activated water sprayer or an electric fence. Raccoons are stubborn critters so the first four devices are probably less effective than an electric fence but aesthetically the fence is less pleasing.
Thanks for the quick responses!. I have the "vicious" dogs (100 pound mutt, Pointer/dobie mix and a Chihuahua) but they are in at night so the neighbors can sleep. I had thick wire netting over it with flat stones around the edge, but they pushed the stones into the middle which bent the netting down so they used my defences against me. The trellis idea sounds good, solid enough to support the stones if they move them.
try the netting with heavy duty tent stakes (net oversized). Works for me with raccoons and possums.
Head on down to the local farm supply store. Buy a small electric fence controller. I believe all you will need is a single wire about a foot or so off the ground. Certainly less obtrusive than wire netting. Just turn if off in the daytime so you dont zap yourself. An even if you do, it wont do you (or your dogs) any real damage. DAMHIK.
Yankee Dog
Yankee Dog