Ponds and Racoon

[gklaw]

Planning on replacing the grass with a large pond. Thinking of getting some strong fish nets to keep raccoons out. Any comment or idea where to get some strong net? Also thinking of galvanized steel mesh as well.

[fkshiu]

It's best to employ a multi-pronged approach:

- Deer netting is available at any Home Depot/Rona this time of year. Much less noticeable than galvanized which will eventually rust. A friend of mine actually strung a grid of fishing line over his pond.

- Motion-activated lights

- Motion-activated sprinker: ScareCrow Motion-activated Animal Deterrent - Contech Enterprises Inc.

- electric fences

Design of the pond is important to. Make it as deep as reasonably possible for a place where the fish are absolutely safe. Something like 4-feet is too deep for even the tallest herons from fishing. Also make sure there's a sheer drop-off along the edges of at least a foot. Raccoons don't like to get their bodies wet if they don't have to. They like to simply reach in and grab a fish that's loitering near the edge of a pond. A sheer drop-off prevents such grab-and-gos. Including protective caves and hiding spots with things such as PVC pipes or drain tile is also a good idea.

Building a gazebo-like enclosure would eliminate virtually all aerial threats, but adds to costs.

[gklaw]

[QUOTE=
Building a gazebo-like enclosure would eliminate virtually all aerial threats, but adds to costs.[/QUOTE]

Thanks sksiu. I have big plan so the gazebo will really be costly. I plan for 4 feet straight down probably 6ft x 8 ft. Wow, that will be almost 1500 gallon !

I will check out "deer wire". My smaller pond is almost two feet straight down. I strung airplane cables around the edge and they still broke through. A pond and garden owner told me to try shotguns

[tony1928]

Hey Gordon,

My coworker had raccoon problems and the motion activated sprinkler worked pretty well. I think he got it at Lee Valley. Shotgun would be great too but might be on the loud side.

The pond sounds pretty awesome man.....too bad I live in Vancouver and have a teeny lot. Hmmm...maybe an indoor pond.

Tony

[gklaw]

I may us get a scare crow. Wonder what razor wire would do - just kidding.

Know a friend who has an indoor swimming pool. Wouldn't it be cool to turn that into an indoor SW lagoon !

[onefishtwofish]

put up a sign saying...no racoons or no fishing. will work about the same as anything else i have tried..............

[onefishtwofish]

night fishing........isnt it illegal?...darn raccoons
here is a previous thread on it............language warning............

[fkshiu]

Worse comes to worse you could always set up a hunting hide and do a stakeout with a BB rifle. Just don't blame me if one of your neighbours sees you and the SWAT team comes a callin'.

[gklaw]

How about piranhas - that should get them

[Vman]

Lee Valley on united blvd has lots of raccoon/ deer proofing gadgets and gear