6 Ways to Keep Predators Away from a Koi Pond

Creating a koi pond is a beautiful way to enhance the look of your backyard. However, your pond could easily attract the likes of predators like raccoons, cats, and large birds. To keep your koi safe, you need to take preventative measures to protect your pond. The outdoor pond experts at Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of high-quality pond equipment, offer six easy tips for deterring koi pond pests.

Create Fish Caves & Build a Deeper Pond

A pond with caves offers fish a way out when a predator appears. These caves need to be placed deeply in the bottom of the pond. With the caves about two or three feet deep, your fish will have a place to hide when an unfriendly animal comes to visit. Something else to consider when building a new pond: always dig deeper. Most large birds and raccoons can’t even get to your fish if the pond is 36” deep. Another mistake people often make when building a pond is adding steps. Much like steps help people get in and out of a pool, they also make it easier for unwanted animals to get into your pond! Make sure you take the time to plan your pond properly in the first place.

2. Keep Your Dog on Guard

The best dog to protect koi fish is one that will go after the animals threatening the fish. Bird dogs like Spaniels, English Setters, Labradors, and Pointers are good choices for protecting a pond. Whenever your dog is outside and around the pond, your fish will be kept safe. Just make sure to train your dog to not use your pond as a swimming pool or you will be netting out the dog’s hair often.

3. Use Decoys

Decoys are an excellent way to keep koi fish safe. Use a decoy of a territorial bird like a blue heron, goose, or swan to encourage other birds to stay away. When flying above, scouting out your pond, the birds will see this fine piece of property is already taken. Similarly, choosing an animal that is a predator of anything that may be interested in your fish is also a good option. These include decoys of coyotes and other predatorial animals.

4. Install Motion Sensors

Motion sensors with sound are an effective way to get rid of predators. These sensors are connected to machines that create loud noises an animal can hear or even spray water when an animal gets too close to the pond. Hopefully these scare off the animal enough to not come back.

5. Add Plants

Plant covering is a picturesque way to help fish hide from predators. With adequate coverage, your fish will have enough space and time to hide in the event a predator approaches. Lily pads are often the best option for covering the surface. Having a lot of plants around the edges of the pond also makes it hard for animals to get in and out of the water.

6. Cover the Pond in Netting

Pond netting is often effective but can be visually unappealing. Use pond netting as a last attempt to keep predators away from your koi. A bonus with netting is that it also keeps falling leaves out of your pond. Netting usually stops birds but often not raccoons, as they tend to rip through whatever obstacles are in their way.

In addition to keeping pests and predators away, you’ll also need various supplies to properly maintain your pond. From pond vacuums to submersible pond pumps, Aquatic Warehouse has all the equipment you need to keep your pond running smoothly. To learn more and to speak with one of our representatives, please call 858-467-9297 today.