Racoon Problem

My mother just had her small pond totally wiped clean of her fish due to racoons. I know you can place netting over the pond, BUT does anyone have a way to keep the fish safe without ruining the beauty of the pond?
Thanks bunches-Dev

Sorry to hear of your fish loss. I have a cage trap that I put a little tuna fish in and set by the pond. I don't mess with the raccoon unless he messes with me. I trap about 10-15 a yr. The SPCA will come pick them up after I catch them and take them to Bluebonnet Swamp to release them. Works well for me.

Jeri

I've seen others mention using an electric fence.

I have seen the electric fence idea too. They make some specifically for use around ponds to alleviate the exact problem that you are having. I have not used them myself, but the theory is that once they are shocked a few times they will not come back and you can turn the fence off. There are cables that you put on the ground so they are not readily apparent when you are by the pond so are not at all intrusive.

I actually like the humane trap idea because you can target and relocate the critters that you do not want while allowing others to stay. If you have a wildlife office or an animal shelter near by they will often loan you a live animal trap free of charge and in many cases will also come get them for you once they are in the trap.

I'm into trapping them so much I bought my own trap. Tell me my Daddy wouldn't be proud of me.

Jeri

There's a little water sprayer called a scarecrow, which is set off by something crossing it's path..it's designed to keep animals out of ponds and pets out of planted areas......It hooks right to your hose. As something crosses it's path, it shoots a jet beam of water. Humane and effective!

I had a problem a few years ago with racoons getting into my pond. I went to the local nursery and purchased a netting that you use for cherry trees. So far it has work in keeping out the racoons and birds.

Here is a picture of the netting.

Really the best way to keep a racoon out of the pond is to make the pond deep with steep sides. Sounds like your mom's pond is small enough that they can get to the fish easily. An electric fence might be the best way to go if she can't have a deeper pond.

I have 3 pond and the littlest is probably 10 + gallons which was a gift. I put 2 6 inch reg and butterfly and in few days they were snacked on, scates were in the vicinity. It was netted but the predator was able to tear the netting and knocked down the rocks. I have an animal that looks like a cat with pointed mouth, cream furs and I do not know what it is. I saw it several time taking a walk in the backyard. LOL!!! Just be very careful, I still feel that netting a big pond is an insurance from predators. I am sooo sorry for your loss. Bellie

Is it a possom you have been seeing? I saw one out my window on the deck one night eating the cat food & thought, "Man that is the mangiest looking cat I have ever seen." About that time it turned around & it was without a doubt the ugliest animal I have ever looked upon. A big fat possum. lol

Loretta

Tonight I guess it's my turn in the barrel with a racoon. Looked out the back patio door and there he/she was. Huge and heading for the pond. I turned on some flood lights we have. The 'coon scurried off into the darkness away from the pond, but I don't look forward to tomorrow morning. I have a feeling he/she will do an 'Ahnold'. " As in "I'll be baack".

If you contact the SPCA they have cages that are free. You post a check with them that they hold and when you return the cage they give your check back. I was trapping so many I invested in my own. I'm not kidding about trapping 10-15 in a summer. I set it up where I sit by the pond and if they come into that one area, they are shipped to Bluebonnet Swamp which is a naturist reserve.

Jeri

Loretta,
I asked my DH and he said there is a possum ???sp. How do you trap them? Bellie

We have possum here too. I used a racoon trap. I purchased one at Harbor Tool Co. for under $20.00. They like peanut butter on bread.

I like my possums, they eat snakes, poisonous ones. Because my pond drops down 18" to 24" right from the edge I have not had a problem with predation from mammals. Bullfrogs have gotten a few of my little fish though. Now my guineas were wiped out by coons & foxes in short order.

Loretta