Protecting your Garden Pond from Pesky Predators

Notice any fish disappearing lately? While herons are present year-round, water gardeners notice the challenges they bring to the pond in spring and early summer when herons feed their young.

An adult heron needs about 13 ounces of food daily, which is equivalent to three 6" koi. If herons find an easy source of food (i.e. colorful fish in a shallow pond), they'll return on several consecutive days. They can quickly decimate your fish population.

They're generally shy birds who typically visit early in the morning or in the evening, when everything is quiet.

Prevent herons from attacking your fish with these simple precautions. If you do lose some fish, don't resort to harming or killing the herons; they are a protected species.

? Netting: The most effective deterrent for herons is to suspend a net 6"-12" above the pond surface. Make sure the net is taut and cannot fall into the pond if the heron tried to land on it and spear the fish through it.

? Heron Scarers: Some work on a "trip-wire" basis, producing a loud noise while others use a sound inaudible to the human ear. Others sense the presence of heron using infrared detection, and scare them away by spraying a high-pressure jet of water.

? Plastic Herons: Based on the principle that herons are territorial and don't feed close to one another, artificial plastic herons are popular. Unfortunately, they aren't effective year-round. In late winter and early spring, herons' search for a mate may actually attract more herons to your pond.

? Pond Design: Dense growths of tall marginal plants or shrubs around the pond will limit the herons' access to the water. Ensuring the pond side is steep and the water is 8"-12" below the edge of the pond also helps since the heron will not be able to reach the fish.

**************************************************
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
other pond-related websites including MacArthurWatergardens.com
and Pond-Filters-Online.com. He also publishes a free monthly
newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over
9,000. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive our FREE
'New Pond Owners Guide' visit MacArthur Water Gardens today!
**************************************************

---

Paving Stones

Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More

The Perfect Accent -- Miniature Roses

Indoors or out, you'll find miniature roses very easy to... Read More

The Sundial - Garden Ornament or Exotic Timepiece?

Most of us regard a sundial as an attractive ornament... Read More

Fake Grass

The history of artificial or fake grass is to say... Read More

Pruning the Backyard Grapevine

Proper pruning of your backyard grapevines is essential to maintain... Read More

Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture

You've put a lot of work into your garden, from... Read More

Garden Delights For Midsummer

We have once again reached the wonderful magical time of... Read More

Orchid Myths -The Truth

Here are some of the popular orchid myths#1 Orchids are... Read More

Safety On Lawn Tractors

Every gardener riding a lawn tractor should be concerned about... Read More

Get your Garden Cooking with Friable Soil

Oh sure, fried green tomatoes are ok; but I'll take... Read More

Mint: The Herb of Hospitality

The Mentha species or mints as they are commonly called... Read More

Why Teak Furniture is the Better Choice

For centuries, it has been known that teak has qualities... Read More

Building Liner Ponds

Surprisingly enough, it is usually in mid-summer that many gardeners... Read More

A Garden Bench: A Beautiful Addition To Any Garden

Okay, so you have spent hours upon hours creating the... Read More

Park Benches - Making the Right Choice

When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More

Greenhouse Buying Guide - Choosing The Right Greenhouse

When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Landscaping Schemes - Do They Add Value-Is It The Chicken Or The Egg?

Have you noticed how everything looks great at the moment... Read More

Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye

To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More

Ship Ahoy! The Nautical Touch in Your Outdoor Living Space

Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a... Read More

Tomatoes: History, Origin, Facts... or Fiction?

A tomato importer, John Nix, decided to challenge the law... Read More

Beauty With Indigenous Species

A garden a serves a man's every day need for... Read More

Plant Hardiness Zones

When selecting plants for the landscape, is important to select... Read More

Patio Swings Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space with Comfort and Style

Are you looking for a way to spruce up your... Read More

Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries

The design of your garden has an amazing affect on... Read More

Composting and Composters: A Basic Introduction

Why Compost?Recent studies show that an average family throws away... Read More

8 Simple Tips to Keep Your Lawn Mower Running

1. If you have a non-electric mower which runs on... Read More

Decorative Garden Accents

Think of your garden like you would a room in... Read More

Solar Garden Lights

Solar lights are very popular for lighting yards and gardens.... Read More

Tips for Backyard Fish Ponds Care

Installing a backyard fish pond is an aesthetic addition to... Read More

How to Water Your Houseplants Wisely

Over watering ranks first in causes of houseplant demise because... Read More

Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Heres What to Do

Tips for winter care of trees and shrubsWith the garden... Read More

Gallica Roses

Very soon stocks of new season's roses will... Read More

Selecting Outdoor Benches

Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden,... Read More