Heron deterent that doesn't small scenery - Aquarium Advice

Christina · 07-04-2004, 02:24 PM

Hi everyone.

My parents are looking for something to ensure that a heron doesn't get the fish in our new pond.
The trouble is they are being very fussy about the way it looks, which I guess is understandable given the amount of money they have spent trying to get the garden to look nice.

Here are the options we have thought about and they have not liked(!):

1) 'Scarecrow' - this is a very expensive (£80) device that squirts full garden hose pressure water onto anything that moves in the area it covers. One covered a 2 metre area (which wouldn't cover our pond) and the other covered too large area, about 20-30m (which would hose people walking along the public recreation ground (though that could be amusing until we started getting mass complaints) and anyone who walked down the bottom of the garden.

2) Electric fencing round the pond - my mum is against this because of what it looks like, but I think it sounds like maybe the only possibility, but only if it safe for the heron and would definately work - what are your thoughts on this option?

3) The traditional net - obviously this option was brought to us first and my parents were totally against it. My Dad reckons that herons only come at dawn so it would be safe to just have it on during the night, but I'm unsure since my boyfriend is sure he saw one around midday. It would be helpful to have your opinions on this as well...

Thanks for reading this and it would be nice if you have any suggestions for me or you can share what you do to overcome this problem.

Thanks.

07-05-2004, 03:55 AM

Welcome Christina!

I agree, those options are not practicle in your situation.

here's one idea I've read about, but never tried. You put wooden stakes around the whole pond, 6 inches high, 6 inches out from the edge. tie a piece of heavy-duty fishing line around the stakes, essentially making a "trip wire" all the way around the pond. Herons always land on the ground, and then walk up to the pond to go fishing. they run into this fishing line when walking, which they do not understand or like, and it basically scares them off without hurting them at all.

I figured I'm too much of a klutz myself, and would end up tripping over the string and falling into my own pond. My Heron troubles have been sporadic, and all my pond fish are very cheap goldfish, so I've never tried any solutions (other than yelling at the birds the very few times I've actually seen them). Also, I now have a dog, so hopefeully he'll help scare away unwelcome visitors like the herons.

krap101 · 07-05-2004, 06:06 PM

in a book it said you could use dogs. which'll be more then the scarecrow.

maybe you could get 2 of em on oposite sides and itll cover the pond?

yeah fishing line. i ehard birds dont like any rope/line touching their feet so they'll go away

millipede · 07-05-2004, 06:11 PM

I have heard or read or watched on tv somewhere... that you put up a fake heron... Herons don't like to share a pond with each other... if they fly over and see a heron already there they will keep on flying...

RogerMcAllen · 07-05-2004, 07:21 PM

I was thinking the same thing as millipede. I have one in my pond, and it is great for dragonflys.

millipede · 07-06-2004, 12:42 AM

dragonflies? So a fake bird keeps dragonflies away??? I like dragonflies... They eat lots of small unwanted bugs

SquishyFish · 07-06-2004, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millipede

I have heard or read or watched on tv somewhere... that you put up a fake heron... Herons don't like to share a pond with each other... if they fly over and see a heron already there they will keep on flying...

this is exactly what I was going to suggest.

SquishyFish · 07-06-2004, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millipede

dragonflies? So a fake bird keeps dragonflies away??? I like dragonflies... They eat lots of small unwanted bugs

But the larva in the water can actually prey on fish fry. (from what I have read on line.)

RogerMcAllen · 07-06-2004, 07:22 PM

Sorry, my post was confusing. I love dragonflies. The fake heron is tall and skinny, projecting over the water. One of my favorite dragonflies uses it as his perch, from which he launches his brutal attacks, decimating any flies in his radius.

As far as larva, I have never had a problem. There are a ton in my upper pond upwards of 2'(where there are no fish, they feast on mosquitos larva, etc.), and none can be found in the lower fish filled ponds. I imagine the goldies eat them before they are large enough to pose a problem.

Sable · 07-12-2004, 12:45 PM

Try a fake floating alligator or a concrete one beside the pond. Works for me.

07-04-2004, 02:24 PM	#1
Christina Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 31	Heron deterent that doesn't small scenery Hi everyone. My parents are looking for something to ensure that a heron doesn't get the fish in our new pond. The trouble is they are being very fussy about the way it looks, which I guess is understandable given the amount of money they have spent trying to get the garden to look nice. Here are the options we have thought about and they have not liked(!): 1) 'Scarecrow' - this is a very expensive (£80) device that squirts full garden hose pressure water onto anything that moves in the area it covers. One covered a 2 metre area (which wouldn't cover our pond) and the other covered too large area, about 20-30m (which would hose people walking along the public recreation ground (though that could be amusing until we started getting mass complaints) and anyone who walked down the bottom of the garden. 2) Electric fencing round the pond - my mum is against this because of what it looks like, but I think it sounds like maybe the only possibility, but only if it safe for the heron and would definately work - what are your thoughts on this option? 3) The traditional net - obviously this option was brought to us first and my parents were totally against it. My Dad reckons that herons only come at dawn so it would be safe to just have it on during the night, but I'm unsure since my boyfriend is sure he saw one around midday. It would be helpful to have your opinions on this as well... Thanks for reading this and it would be nice if you have any suggestions for me or you can share what you do to overcome this problem. Thanks. __________________ Christina

07-05-2004, 06:06 PM	#3
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	in a book it said you could use dogs. which'll be more then the scarecrow. maybe you could get 2 of em on oposite sides and itll cover the pond? yeah fishing line. i ehard birds dont like any rope/line touching their feet so they'll go away __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

07-05-2004, 06:11 PM	#4
millipede Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,065	I have heard or read or watched on tv somewhere... that you put up a fake heron... Herons don't like to share a pond with each other... if they fly over and see a heron already there they will keep on flying... __________________ Backyard Fellowship

07-05-2004, 07:21 PM	#5
RogerMcAllen Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,361 Images: 16	I was thinking the same thing as millipede. I have one in my pond, and it is great for dragonflys. __________________ Have your reviewed your aquarium products yet?

07-06-2004, 12:42 AM	#6
millipede Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,065	dragonflies? So a fake bird keeps dragonflies away??? I like dragonflies... They eat lots of small unwanted bugs __________________ Backyard Fellowship

07-05-2004, 03:55 AM	#2
Guest Posts: n/a	Welcome Christina! I agree, those options are not practicle in your situation. here's one idea I've read about, but never tried. You put wooden stakes around the whole pond, 6 inches high, 6 inches out from the edge. tie a piece of heavy-duty fishing line around the stakes, essentially making a "trip wire" all the way around the pond. Herons always land on the ground, and then walk up to the pond to go fishing. they run into this fishing line when walking, which they do not understand or like, and it basically scares them off without hurting them at all. I figured I'm too much of a klutz myself, and would end up tripping over the string and falling into my own pond. My Heron troubles have been sporadic, and all my pond fish are very cheap goldfish, so I've never tried any solutions (other than yelling at the birds the very few times I've actually seen them). Also, I now have a dog, so hopefeully he'll help scare away unwelcome visitors like the herons.

07-06-2004, 07:22 PM	#9
RogerMcAllen Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,361 Images: 16	Sorry, my post was confusing. I love dragonflies. The fake heron is tall and skinny, projecting over the water. One of my favorite dragonflies uses it as his perch, from which he launches his brutal attacks, decimating any flies in his radius. As far as larva, I have never had a problem. There are a ton in my upper pond upwards of 2'(where there are no fish, they feast on mosquitos larva, etc.), and none can be found in the lower fish filled ponds. I imagine the goldies eat them before they are large enough to pose a problem. __________________ Have your reviewed your aquarium products yet?

07-12-2004, 12:45 PM	#10
Sable Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Magnolia TX Posts: 4	Try a fake floating alligator or a concrete one beside the pond. Works for me.

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