Prevent Birds from Eating Your Pond Fish
Protecting fish in a pond from their chief threat, predatory birds, is necessary for enjoying a tranquil piece of property for many years to come. Fortunately, keeping your fish safe isn't complicated. Understanding a little animal psychology and employing these proven methods will ensure your pond hosts aquatic life for many years to come.
Understanding Predatory Birds
If you've ever noticed missing or damaged fish in your pond, then chances are high that a predatory bird is responsible. Sky bound hunters like herons, pelicans, eagles, hawks, and others regularly consume fish from small bodies of water. They also threaten to pollute your pond with disease, dead fish, and parasites.
Luckily, even the boldest birds can be repelled with the right tactics. These animals fear loud noises, bright lights, and decoys. Too many obstacles to reaching good hunting spots in a pond also forces many birds to seek food elsewhere.
Ways to Protect Your Pond
The easiest means to protect your pond is by stretching a net over the waters, slightly elevated off ground level. Regrettably, this method is the most problematic. Storms may tear thin netting, and many people find it impractical for larger ponds, or undesirable due to the appearance.
Visual deterrents can frighten away birds as well. Tin foil, brightly colored cloth, and human-like figures will dispatch some species. Plastic decoys resembling other birds or alligators are good choices. Almost all will be scattered with bright lights activated by motion sensors.
Additionally, you can use the same motion detecting technology with sound for excellent effects. Birds despise high-pitched sounds, along with artificial birdcalls sounding discordant or distressed. If motion activated repellants aren't an option, try using fireworks. Birds will steer clear of the pond while bright, deafening explosions are going on, and they probably won't be back either.
Many fish are easy picking for birds in their natural environment. However, with these strategies, even the most helpless fish get a leg up against nature, so you can enjoy their presence in the pond.
