If you have a Koi pond, warding off herons and other predatory birds can be very annoying. Most Koi fish ponds owners encounter this problem during early spring and summer. If you have an unprotected garden pond or Koi pond in your backyard, predatory birds and land animals will make your expensive fish as their main course. That is why you have to make your Koi garden pond predator-proof. Here are some simple ways to keep away predators from your Koi fish ponds.
Install a Floating Mesh
Installing a floating mesh on your garden pond is one of the best ways to protect your Koi fish. A UV resistant floating mesh is widely available in hobby and home gardening stores and it is affordable. No one will also notice that there is a floating mesh on your Koi pond because it would be invisible from afar. The good thing is that a protective mesh will prevent birds and land animals from snatching the fish on your Koi fish ponds. Predators will not be able to reach through the mesh to eat your Koi.
Use Gadgets for Protection
Traditional scarecrows are not very effective in scaring off predatory birds especially if they get used to them. Furthermore, land animals like cats and dogs are not afraid of scarecrows. What you can do is to use latest technologies in warding off air and land predators. These gadgets are not very expensive and they can be very useful in protecting your Koi fish.
For example, you can use ultrasonic gadgets that makes noise whenever a predatory bird or land animal approach your garden pond. The ultrasonic noise can only be heard by animals so the gadget will not disturb anyone except those predators who are eyeing the fish on your Koi pond
. You can also install automatic water squirts around your Koi fish ponds to scare away cats and dogs that will try to fish on your garden fish pond.
Build Underwater Fish Cages
You can create an underwater sanctuary where the Koi fish can hide if it detects danger. These sanctuaries are usually called Koi houses and they are made from mesh cages. The cages should have large opening so that the Koi fish can easily slide in to hide. This anti predator solution however may not be effective against wily and swift flying birds.
Create Natural Barriers
Plants, vegetation and rocks can serve as good protection against predators. You have to use these natural barriers to make your Koi pond predator-proof. Rocks and other solid decorative objects around your garden pond can deter land predators. On the other hand, water plants and lilies in Koi fish ponds can shield your fish from predatory birds.
Protection against Unseen Predators
Parasites are also predators and they are more dangerous because you can not see them. Fish parasites can cause diseases that could lead to fish kills. You have to install biological filters in the waterways of your pond in order to maintain good water quality. Filters are very effective in preventing any outbreak of fish parasites.
