How to Protect Your Pond From Predator
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.
Today AllPondSolutions looks at some of the best options to safeguard your koi fish and other pond life from predators with smart solutions that will put your mind at ease.
What Is the Best Way to Stop Birds From Eating My Pond Fish?
One of the easiest routes to take is to invest in pond cover nets - this physical barrier means that predators cannot access the water or pluck your pond fish from the water.
You'll need a set of pond cover netting pegs to hold the net securely around the perimeter because determined cats and foxes can easily tear or rip lighter pond cover nets.
It's also important to ensure you have access to feed your pond fish and to pick the netting density carefully. Wide gaps are still easily accessible to predators with beaks, even if they stop water birds from landing in your pond!
Take a look at our Predator Protection Nets, which come with a set of pegs, or pick up a separate packet of Replacement Pond Cover Netting Pegs if your current net needs to be more secure.
How Can I Keep My Koi Pond Safe From Cats and Wildlife?
Although pond cover nets are a great deterrent for birds, some animals take more persuading that your pond fish are not on the menu!
An ideal resolution here is to invest in some pond plants or caves, where your fish can take refuge if a predator comes nearby.
Very few animals will dive into a garden pond, so a cave, hideaway, or pond plants are excellent predator protection security.
Please visit our huge collection of Garden Pond Plants if you'd like some inspiration!
Can I Stop Herons and Seagulls From Attacking My Pond Fish?
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.
The best way to stop these species from getting to your koi fish is to follow the above steps, but also consider a decoy statue or a motion sensor water spray that will stop them in their tracks.
Another great option, if you have many flying predators, is to put a small perimeter fence around the pond. The barrier acts as a safety precaution for children and means a heron won't be able to stand close enough to the water's edge to reach your pond fish.