velda 128020 Pond Protector

Product Information

The best brands, such as the ScareCrow sprinkler, can cover large distances with their water jets, so are suitable for both small and large garden ponds. They’re ideally placed alongside regular pond netting for maximum protection, but work very well on their own at deterring most predators from ponds. We are on the phones Monday to Wednesday 8am – 5.30pm As seen on the ‘world famous’ BBC Blue Peter TV show – Either choice of fencing would be fine for most ponds, but we would probably recommend regular fencing first as it’s cheaper and easier to install. If the heron continues to persist, you can then try upgrading to an electric type fence system. We recommend Veldas Pond Protector electric fencing products (pictured) which are available from the UK and have been designed with heron control in mind.

Often pond owners attribute their fish dying over winter to the cold, but it’s more commonly caused by buildup of sludge (waste) which has been left to decompose and build to dangerous levels. During this process, oxygen levels in the pond drop, and harmful ammonia and nitrite levels rise, which places a huge amount of stress on pond fish. Having a mirror in the garden may sound odd, but it’s a method that can work better than actual decoys in some cases. Herons are intelligent birds, and the closer they get to a decoy, the more likely they are to notice it’s not the real thing. A mirror image of the heron itself with actual movement will likely confuse even the smartest of birds, and is a good alternative to regular decoys. Falling leaves are also bad news for your fish as they will upset the nutrient balance of your pond. The debris, will form sludge at the bottom of your pond as it becomes water logged and sinks. One of the main causes of a smelly pond come spring is pond debris; when the water starts to warm up and the oxygen content has been low over winter. A popular solution that most pond owners have likely tried is with a decoy plastic heron model. Blue heron decoys and grey heron decoys are generally a very cheap and easy method of deterring a new heron from your garden. Overall, an interesting heron solution that may be worth a try in smaller ponds, but we would only really recommend this method when all other deterrents have failed.Sea birds and herons are some of the most difficult predators to deter because they're less likely to be put off by pond cover netting and may dip into the pond to retrieve your fish. Our installations do not require any alterations beforehand (unless excessive plant overgrowth) we always aim to ensure minimum disruption to your pond and your garden

Unlike other deterrents which become less effective as a heron gets used to seeing it, pond netting creates a physical barrier that often stops herons before they’re able to get within striking distance. We recommend netting as a foundation to heron control, as it can be combined with various other deterrents for maximum protection from predators. We have a small spring fed pond that drains into a larger pond downhill at our vacation mountain house. The pond was in disrepair when we bought the property three years ago, and although we saw one goldfish at that time, we never saw it again and assumed that it died. With that said, some herons may not be deterred by decoys at all, as it all depends on the personality of the heron and whether or not it’s already become used to eating with company (or decoys) in other ponds. The first which just emits a loud noise works well for most pests, especially if the recording is something the animal is naturally wary about, such as gunshots or barking noises. The downside of this type of device is that they’re activated by motion sensors, so will go off whenever anything larger passes through the sensor. If you have pets or regular garden birds, this could prove quite frustrating if the noise keeps going off. A great heron and cat deterrent which provides pond fish a safe hiding place at the bottom of your pond. Koi and goldfish shelters are designed to sit naturally on the pond floor and blend into the surroundings, helping to hide signs of fish. If you have a pond with nowhere for fish to hide, they’ll become very stressed every time a heron visits, even if the heron is unsuccessful at catching any fish.

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Aquaplancton pond clearing treatment reactivates beneficial bacteria which will then multiply and consume the mud. Starving algae and blanketweed of nutrition, causing them to die out naturally. Since herons need to physically reach into a pond to make catches, having a net over the surface makes stalking the fish much more difficult. It also prevents a heron from wading into the pond water when fish begin to retreat further into the center.

Generally speaking, purchasing pond netting with small/medium (3/8 – 1/2 inch) size mesh holes will provide protection from both leaves and predators effectively. This is the best size to combat both debris and predators, and is the most common with most pond netting manufacturers. If your fish pond is close to surrounding foliage, such as trees or bushes, or if you have predatory birds or cats in the area, then installing a pond net is highly recommended.The Solar Pond Oxygenator is perfect to have on hand in sunny weather when pond oxygen levels deplete and are at their lowest. This ingenious and efficient pond oxygenating device uses the sun to help keep your fish healthy and your pond clean and algae-free. Protecting your pond fish from birds, cats, foxes, and other wildlife can seem impossible - but there are many ways to ensure your garden pond is a safe haven. A second option to stop herons from eating pond fish is to try to install pond fencing or wire around the perimeter of the pond. If you can stop herons from getting to the sides of the pond, they won’t be able to effectively hunt for fish. Although sometimes more effective than pond netting, fencing is more noticeable and harder to maintain. Using thin wiring for fencing is a popular middle-ground, as it’s strong enough to stop predators getting near the water but small enough to not be visually distracting. In terms of deterring snakes, I agree, that’s a tough one. Since they like to hide away in nooks and crannies very close to water, closing off as many hiding spots as possible around the pond may help prevent them from hanging around, but I doubt this would keep them away all together. Your advise of simply keeping a close eye on your pond everyday, as well as monitoring fish for injuries and unusual behaviour, is likely the best way in most situations to determine if a predator is present. Reply

Herons and Garden Ponds Blue herons are incredibly common at ponds, lakes, and wetlands in the U.S.. Public domain. Fish shelters are a cost-effective and easy way to create a durable cover system on the pond floor, giving both koi and goldfish somewhere to retreat and de-stress. They won’t scare away a heron, but they allow your fish a much better chance of not becoming easy heron food.Keeping leaves and other plant debris out of your pond has long challenged gardeners and fish enthusiasts but our Pond Covers provide the perfect solution. Since the goal of most heron deterrents is to cause panic and scare the heron into flight, what better way than by showing them a picture of themselves! Although this is an often overlooked method of deterring herons, it actually works surprisingly well for smaller garden ponds. Another type of automated sensor device is one that emits a sudden sound to scare animals away. Automatic sound repellents are useful for getting rid of flighty animals and work well against all but the most stubborn of herons. They usually come in two forms – one being a normal sound recording, and the other a low-pitched ultrasound device. An ideal resolution here is to invest in some pond plants or caves, where your fish can take refuge if a predator comes nearby.