Lots of time and effort are spent caring for our fish friends. Fish protection is of utmost importance when the foliage of our plants start to give way to colder temperatures. Since this change comes about pretty abruptly, we figure it’s good to get our cards out on the table early. An informed attack is a successful one when it comes to predator defense!
Heron, Stalking a Pond
First let’s determine who is after our pals. Predators vary depending on your geographical location. For us in the Northeast, it’s mainly the Heron, occasional Bear, curious Raccoon, sleek Mink, feral Cats,…..actually the list can go on and on in our area. It’s for this reason, that we need to be proactive, not reactive, to our pets’ protection.
To defend against so many different predators sounds like a tall order. When in fact a few basic precautions can ensure your pond population will continue to stay stress-free and safe throughout the changing seasons. A decoy is a great year-round asset for protection. A floating Alligator, a life-size Heron statue, and other animal statuaries have all been noted to deter predators in their tracks.
Some tricks for success with them: if it’s a statuary you are using, move it around every few days. Believe it or not, animals can be tricked, but are looking for the opening when available. If the same statue is in the same spot for a length of time, a Heron could be tempted to hang over on another side of your pond and start snacking. Dog, Frog, and Cat statuaries have also all been helpful, and keeping them in a fresh position will be sure to send an “I’m real” vibe to intruders. The floating Alligator is just convincing enough to keep the Heron from swooping in on your oasis. Just be sure to keep the head and body exposed and free from tangling in your plants.
Plants are also a great measure against attacks. And we recognize the time of year, and the demise of most plants. This is why we encourage you to use native species, that will flourish for the entire length of the season, in a larger percentage of your plantings. For example the lily will show great pad size around this time of year, keeping a healthy cover over your friends. Grasses give extensive root systems for fish to hide in and will give a healthy appearance well into the fall season. And don’t forget the power of the floating root systems. Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinth are both great additions to your pond at anytime during the year. They are inexpensive and populate quickly and can be found in early and late seasons.
Now what pond is complete without a tunnel, fish cave, or koi castle? They sound elaborate, but are simply anywhere your fish friends can get out of the open water and hideout. And if you can’t locate one that will suffice to purchase, they are easy to make with a few rocks and some wet feet. Two stable sides and a flat piece of bluestone or slate makes a perfect hiding spot for your brightly colored pets in the deeper sections of your pond. We have also had luck with fishing line. Nope, not baiting it and catching one by one. But stringing it across the surface of the pond back and forth in a lightning bolt pattern. It leaves virtually invisible protection over the open areas of your pond surface keeping unwanted visitors at bay.
Remember, a few precautions can save alot of heartache. Keeping your fish friends happy and healthy is easy with some creativity and a few spare moments.
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