How to Keep Herons Out of Garden Ponds

Herons are predators and a major threat to the denizens of your garden pond. Not only will they eat the fish, they often severely wound the ones that they don't catch during their efforts to spear them. Herons are large cranes, standing 4 feet tall. They have long legs for shallow water wading, possess long pointed beaks for spearing prey and are capable of eating every fish in your pool in practically no time at all. They feed during the day as well as at night. They are protected by law and it is illegal to trap them or to harm them in any way. Although your garden pond presents potentially easy meals for herons, there are some things that you can do to safeguard the residents of your garden pond from them. If you've just recently received your first visit from one of these cranes, expect another soon and be ready for it.

Things You'll Need

• Bird netting
• Fake alligators
• Fake heron statue
• Low decorative fencing
• Motion activated lights and sprinklers
• Territorial dog (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   Dig your pond in such a way that at least a third of the floor is over three feet deep. Herons can't walk in water any deeper than that. Don't construct shallow plant shelves that the herons can stand on to hunt from. If you've already dug and established your pond, there are more things you can do to deter the hungry birds.

2. 

   Enlist the help of your dog by providing it with a doggy door and 24/7 access to the pond area. Take the time to acquaint the dog with your disapproval of herons immediately upon sighting the birds. Your pooch will quickly get the idea, as he or she will sense your anxiety and your reactions to the heron. Braver or more gregarious dogs probably won't even need your prompting, and even small dogs are territorial. If you don't have a dog, please consider adopting a homeless shelter pet. You can shoo a heron and save a life.

3. 

   Cover the pond by spreading bird netting about 12 inches above the water's surface. Secure the net all the way around the pond so that the birds can't wriggle under it. You need to allow enough room between the net and the water to keep herons from spearing the residents through the net. Also, the net must be kept out of the water to avoid accidental entrapment of your fish and frogs. By the way, netting also offers the benefit of catching falling leaves and keeping them out of your pond.

4. 

   Buy a couple of fake alligators, often marketed as "alligator decoys," and float them in your pond. Herons, as well as other wild predators like raccoons, won't approach an alligator.

5. 

   Add a new decorative touch to your pond area with a statue of a heron. Since these birds are territorial, they won't infringe upon a fishing hole that they see has already been claimed by another. Move the statue a couple of times of day to make it seem like it's a real bird, because herons are pretty smart. If a prospective hunter sees that your statue hasn't moved, it will fly down to investigate why. Also beware that during mating season this ploy may not work, because the heron could be attracted by the statute enough to wish to become friendly with it.

6. 

   Install a motion activated light so that it shines on your pond. This is effective for shooing off raccoons and some herons as well.

7. 

   Install a scary looking "Scarecrow" sprinkler, which is also activated by nearby motion. Although it can annoy you with an occasional drenching, this device does seem to be effective against heron invasions. However, do note that it may cease to work against particularly persistent birds that may soon become oblivious to it.

8. 

   Install low decorative fencing around the pond, or even run a low string or fishing line around it. Use it to display and enhance garden greenery and blooms. Although herons will walk up to the water, they won't lift their feet to step over something to get to it. But there again, they're pretty smart. If they want to get to the pond badly enough, many figure out that they can just fly and land directly into the pool.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not approach herons in an effort to physically scare them away. They are very large, powerful and territorial birds that aren't afraid to fight back. That long pointed bill is a formidable weapon that can inflict grievous damage to your person. The deadly accurate, lightning quick strike is aimed right between the eyes of the heron's adversary, with enough force to puncture your skull. Some might fly away when confronted, but particularly stubborn or cranky birds will stand their ground, especially if they've already decided that your pond is their own personal smorgasbord.