10 Ways to Keep Herons Away From Your Pond 

you covered everyone i know of and i am a professional pond contractor.... GOOD JOB

We hung a triangular sail above the pond which blocked the visibility of the pond from the sky. The sail is about 12' above the pond so we can still enjoy it and see it. It also gave the pond some much needed shade which cut down on the algae.

If you have a small garden consider running fishing line above head height, break the herons flight path, if he cant land he wont hunt, Herons have a large wingspan and the second it touches the line it will be off. That way the line is above you so not visiable (especially if its clear line) and you still get to enjoy the beauty of your pond.

A Nickelback album on loop works well too. Also controls mosquito, termites, raccoons, the asshle neighbor. Havent had any mail in 6 months either. Weird....and the Venus de Milo statue in my yard is bleeding from the ears

Great info thank-you. Lots of ideas for next year

Very good content thank you for posting... we just lost a Koi this morning and within 30 minutes had the sprinkler system set up hopefully it will work we’ve got a camera on the pond but we’re also going to try a few other safeguards

Great video, I work at a water gardening center and I have 3 ponds I take care of. I keep a net over my koi pond. One thing that you could mention is building a pergola, less expensive than making a greenhouse and herons don't want to go under something that they couldn't get away from quickly. You can also put an drop down net with the pergola to make it full proof during the spring and fall. Only downside that it makes your pond have less sun which isn't the best for lilies.

I really liked this video. You share some excellent things to try and keep ponds safe from predators. We have had challenges with herons, and tried several of the suggestions you show here, but now we also have raccoons coming at night so I am about to double-up on some of the methods. One thing that we have found interesting that is really a sort of variation on what you list here is a removable fence around the pond. We dug holes 10' apart in the ground to sink 2" diameter x 8" deep PVC pipes. Then, we purchased some 5' long 1.5" diameter wood fence posts, painted them a dark green to more or less match the foliage color. Then, we cut netting strips to be 4' wide x 10' long and stapled them to the posts. Now, by dropping the end of each post in the PVC hole, and having the netting create the fence in between the posts, the heron can't as easily fly away if discovered. Our pond is under some trees so the heron's flight path is limited, and with the net fence now going across the only clear flight path, he does not feel as safe working his way onto the ledge sides of the pond. When we want to sit out by the pond and enjoy watching and feeding our koi, we just pull the fence posts out, roll them up with the netting, and set them aside. I also do play talk radio quietly during the day, and have been through a couple of motion-sensor sprinklers, but now have a new one that I will be installing this weekend. Now that we have raccoons I have also installed motion sensor solar lights around the pond that come on when they pass by at night. Hopefully, between the lights and the sprinkler at night the raccoons wlll decide to go elsewhere.

thanks for the ideas

The first thing to do is buy a trail camera so you can photo and video the heron's behavior. It is very helpful to have this info so you can decide how to deal with it.

Wow! I'm now reconsidering building a pond..These are very good tips. I live next to a bird sanctuary with hundreds of birds including herons..

Thank you from Germany!

Great video 👍👍👍

I just had the Verminator install the de-pelter turbo, It works like a charm.

I'm happy that 9:10 finally showcases the auto-turret approach

We have two sizes of heron decoys in the stream at the waterfalls, we also have motion lights around the pond to scare the night time predators. Our pond is 3 1/2 feet deep but we do have a ledge about 36” from the pond surface. I have plants on the ledge and hyacinth floating and water fountains and some bubblers as needed. The most effective device we use is 4 hi decimal sound alarms that I set before going to sleep or out of town. They went off two nights this week after a quiet month, the predators are more active in the fall. And we have 4 koi caves for them to hide in. We learned the hard way after 40 of our goldfish disappeared to a muskrat. Now I have 24 Koi and they are happy and not stressed out. Next week will put a net over the pond for winter maintenance.

I have wire fence with plants growing through it & it works. I also have a little Cavashon dog that would chase heron off.

Hello I just wanted to say that there is also a silver ball with eyes on it, this is placed in the middle of the pond and the row is reflected, among other things, lightning pulling the sun, there is also a windmill in silver which rotates in the wind and thus with the reflection in series should deter

Sick to our stomachs!! Girlfriend and I woke up to an empty Koi pond this morning. Hearts are broken, even got our two prized Chinese banded sharks!! Thanks for the video

Nice summary of heron deterrents. I've tried the motion detector - water spray method with an observed failure to detect a heron skulking right in front of the sensor. I wondered if the heat sensitive detector just couldn't pick up its cold legs. I gave up on it. I have also used a net. Unfortunately it was not natural in appearance, and was labor intensive to get it fixed in position and to remove for pond cleaning etc, but no heron attacks were observed while it was employed. However, one winter with ice on the pond and only a small hole in the centre of the pond from an air bubbler, I found one missing koi and a dead one when the ice melted. I suspected a cagey racoon slithered under a small opening at the side of the net, crept over the ice and reached in with its deadly claws. At that point I saw the futility of any further efforts to protect the fish. I have kept one last Koi survivor and added many goldfish which are cheap, grow to a few inches, produce a nice movement of colour in the pond and are too small to be prey for heron or racoons (I hope). Today I've witnessed the first heron this year perched near the pond, and all (or most) of the fish were hiding in a cave. Safe... for now. But he'll be back.

You can also use bio black tint to make harder for the blue he ron to see the fish it has another benefit that it blocks the sun rays helping preventing algae growth

i use fishing line around edges along with net over surface .heron still keeps turning up to have a go though.

I live in the UK and I use to have herons try there luck with my koi, I don't use anything to stop herons anymore ever since a nice healthy strong colony of crows moved into a huge dark red leafed tree just behind my garden about 10 years ago, you can't even see the crows once there in it but I've witnessed them kill 3 herons over the years. Usually only takes about 2 to 4 crows to orchestrate the move in forcing a heron down to the ground, looks like a bunch of migs taking out a jumbo jet but once its down literally the whole tree moves, there has to be easily over a 150 crows living there, its been about 2 years now since I last saw heron, don't think they even fly near this area anymore, not sure why the crows hate the heron so much to the point of killing them but its handy for me.

Nice video for these small ponds. The only method I've found that works on my acre pond is a .22 bullet. Problem solved.

I have used the Fido Shock electric fence for years. Haven't had a problem since I installed that around the pond.

Nice, that's beautiful

My husband cut holes on the sides of a kids small plastic swimming pool and sank it in the pond for a Koi castle. It has been great!

We are near a heron rookery and the devils have wiped me out more than once. We have used the fish line and sprayer methods, but the herons figure those out. Now we cover the pond. You can do this in a way that does not look ugly and detract from the experience. Our netting is mounted on a frame made of electrical conduit painted black. The poles are approximately 8 feet high. Then over that I drape netting that is barely visible. The nets are a pain because they catch on everything, including your own clothing and shoes while draping. The netting is secured around the base with tent stakes or bricks all around. If I want to sit and enjoy the fish without the distraction or work in the pond, I lift the netting up and clip it to the top of the frame. Because we live in New England, I remove the net in winter to avoid having a collapse of the frame in a heavy snow. And in the fall, the net keeps out leaves, but they get so caught up in the net that at the end of the season, I just throw away the net and start with new in the spring.

I made koi castles out is chicken wire and zip tied plant clippings to the outside to make it cave like. They used them as soon s I put them in the water!!! We have a great blue heron that showed up a week ago and is working its way through the 5 ponds

We built our ponds under trees which branch over and cover the pond from being viewed overhead. We also planted landscaping that adds cover, so they really can't be seen from above. We also use water plants for cover and have submerged concrete blocks that the fish can hide in. These are stackable and have the added benefit of acting as plant stands. We have had our ponds for 5 years and successful so far.

The raised net is the only sure way. Even a low net the heron can attack your fish. It won’t be able to get it out but it will for sure kill your fish. A raised net like in your video is perfect however I used 1/4 diameter metal rod to form up the hoops. Painted black with black netting it really won’t detract nearly as much. Hey it’s better to have it not look as nice over loosing expensive Koi. My idea is so good I’m now doing for others. Even the Aquascape contractor loved it. It’s a great idea for a small to medium sized pond. Obviously for a very large pond it won’t work.

I had a huge heron get 3 of my koi. He came back three days in a row. The third day I let the dog after him and he hasn't been back since. Hope he doesn't figure out she's an inside dog.

We've always had heavy duty black net all around our pond(2,000galls) attatched to metal posts situated about 4ft distance,net is about 36" high.It's doesn't spoil the views of the fish like a green net would.Never had any koi/fish taken & it's so simple.We have the posts with a curl & plastic cap on the top.I believe they're used for elec.fencing.

We Use store mannequins. Put one on the side of your pond and the Herons think it's a live person. Pretty effective and yes a little weird

My garden is next to my 1/2 acre pond. I recently put up a large scarecrow to scare off the deer from my garden. Added benefit has been no herons in my pond and I was getting daily visits from herons and sometimes two at once.

Electric Fence can work too. Since the heron normally walks to the water rather than landing in it if the water is deep it will bump the wire and be deterred.. The electric fence works great on racoons and other critters that might want to disturb your pond and eat your prized fish.

motion triggered water sprinklers also work for raccoons and in vegetable gardens for birds.

We have 3 umbrellas over the pond and added a bunch of plastic play balls. Can’t see the fish but it keeps them safer during migration season.

I have lived at the same spot for 20 years and I have never seen a heron around here or at any of the lake parks close by. I put in a pond in with gold fish and suddenly we have Herons and I have no fish.

I have some old cd's hanging around my pond they move in the wind and reflect light. Sofar it worked perfectly

I will be eliminating the heron that keeps eating our fish the next time I see it.

I've had good luck with a life-sized plywood cutout of a coyote, not right next to the pond, but off to the side, partially hidden by bushes. If I take it down or it gets knocked over there will be a heron there within a day.

I lost 20 plus fish last year. Went out one day, didnt really notice until i looked in and saw a bunch of reflective sequin looking things....fish scales...I was heartbroken...I will be doing the fishing line, adding plants and I love the idea of voice and sound and movement....So wish me luck

Netting can be fine, I have a pagoda with drop down nets on all sides (not needed on top), large square netting and looks great

I've been trying to find a solar powered oxygenator for my 20 foot diameter , roughly 65 ft in circumference and 15 ft deep holding pond. I use it to grow koi until they can fend for themselves against my bass in my main 3 acre lake. Do you know of any for that size? Electric isn't an option due to the location.

Watched a GBH fly off with one of my fav koi (Skelly) last summer. He got him while hunting from the side, cause my pond edge is too deep (3 to 4'). The Blue Heron decoy didn't work, obviously. I now have an ugly net covering all.A motion activated talk radio station may be the ultimate - better than a sprinkler.

Purchased an aquanet to cover my65 sf pond. It is nearly impossible to see. Actually it could be made to sit on the surface or be staked above (haven’t tried). Don’t think that you mentioned this type netting specifically.

Hi , i just seen the one on the wasing line crossed over the pond at a height, if they see it they dont want to get tangled up in it

lastly-I built a net over my garden area high above head height so it is totally protected while enabling me to still enjoy my ponds and fish

I use a fake swan, it works good so far

I had a wood duck and 10 ducklings on my 35 ft pond. As I looked out the window a Great Blue Heron attacked them. By the time I got out there and chased him there were 8 ducklings. The mother swam to shore with brood and walked into the woods. I haven’t seen them since. I have many 25 yr old koi that used to produce many young. I’m sure heron is culling them each day since I don’t see any. I’m going to try many of your suggestions Thank you.

Motion sensor method works great. You can turn it off while you are hanging out in you garden.

Yes. All very well. But how can you stop herons (or other birds), from eating all your frogspawn, like happened to our pond last year?

I have just had a Herron trying to get my fish but got disturbed I have bought some wooden trellis but what do u think off the pond ball fountain thank u

😊

One of the best ways to protect your pond from herons, raccoons and even wild mink is an electric fence. My 6000 gallon pond has an 16" raised wall surrounding it and atop the wall is a 3 wire electric fence. The wires are spaced about 1.5" apart with two live wires and a ground so nothing can climb over or through between the wires without a shock. While it may detract from the ascetics of the pond it has protected my fish for years without even a single loss to predators. My largest koi is almost 29" long and 17 years old so the fence is doing its job. I know people who have had their ponds cleaned out by mink while my fish remain happy and safe. Electric fence...simple to install.. costs pennies to run...and protects your fish. The only way to go if you value your fish.

You should also include reflective pinwheels that a lot of people have success with

I have a sign that says "No Herons".

Me: i’m going to sleep early tonight My Brain at 4 am: HERON VIDEO

Fishing line is the best. Herons stopped dead. Caught a Fish Hawk that almost drowned. We cut him loose and he was so exhausted ha sat on the lawn for over an hour. The neighbours all came to see the Osprey. It finally flew away........learned its lesson , never came back !

I just saw a huge blue heron sitting on my fence and when I opened my backyard door it flew away. I have a fake heron by my pond and it’s tiny in comparison in size !!!

I tried the fake heron method but that didn't work, I found a really good method was the electric wires that give them a shock when they touch them, only 12 volt but it definitely worked for us. We had about 4 or 5 different herons hunting in our garden, one even swallowed one of our chickens whole! They are horrible creatures

There are YT videos of herons that have walked on some netted ponds and stabbed all the koi through the netting even though they weren't able to get their prey out to consume them all. The koi still died obviously. The fine mesh with poles arched across the pond would prevent that but looks really ugly unless you rig it to be easily removed during your presence somehow. As you said, a multi-pronged approach is best.

We have a large bay window overlooking our Courtyard. We were sitting watching TV last evening when I saw a Blue Heron swoop down and land on my patio. This freaked my out because it had a tremendous wingspan. I ran to the door not knowing what it was and it flew off I happen to have several Ring Video Cameras positioned around my house. I had placed one of the cameras on a brick post that is front of my Courtyard. I feed corn to the deer and I have the Ring Camera sitting there so I can watch what used to be a baby deer feed on the corn. After I saw the Blue Heron yesterday I positioned the Ring camera so It would cover my pond. I have that particular camera set with a distinctive ring of dogs barking so I can tell where the disturbance is. It woke me upas about 0630 this morning and I ran to watch him. He looks to be about 3-1/2' tall. Last night I placed a net that I normally keep over my pond during the fall and winter time to keep leaves out of my pond. I have a gorgeous Japanese Maple that overlooks the pond and it looses a lot of leaves. This morning he crept onto the pond not knowing what the net was. I sneaked out my back door so as to sneak up on him. He caught a glimpse of me and was off. I have no desire to hurt him and I know he is doing what he is supposed to do but he can do it somewhere else, I don't want to loose my fish. My pond is somewhat small, maybe about 7'X13' with a really nice waterfall that I built. I had 18 Koi fish in the pond but I can only see two. I put a little shelf in it when I was building to pond. I have lost some really expensive koi over time because of learning. Two years ago I had about 8 but much to my surprise they are multiplying. Right now my largest is a bit under 12". My wife could always call them to come and eat but they won't come out now if there is any left,

Thanks for the video. How do you protect a pond from other predators? Also, what do you do when the net was pierced through and the fish were attacked by a predator at night? Could that be a racoon?

I hung a large mirrored Christmas ornament near my pond after something got one of my Koi. I also strung nylon fish line near the shallow area of my pond and hung jingle bells on the line. So far it seems to be working. I'm going to put a Sheppard's hook with a wind chime there as well. I lost about 10 fish last year and one this year. I am mad 😠😡.....

Would a bridge (walk way) be enough of a cover from herons??

One thing to add is doing some research on how herons hunt and when will help you determine what method you think works the best. Keep night lighting off when you go to bed, also they hunt more actively during and three days before and three days after a full moon, they also revisit ponds over and over instinctual GPS system and lastly a heron will wait for hours next to your pond for the fish to come out of hiding and the regurgitate food into the pond drawing fish to the surface where he can grab them knowing this makes some of above methods less effective then others . Stay safe!!!

Hello, my problem with my pond is Minks, what can we do to get Mink away, they disturbed my pond 3 times, and swapped all my 20-plus koi

I have some old cd's hanging in the bushes and three's around my pond, they blink in the sun moved by the wind. Sofar it worked no Harons.

My dog (60lb Aussie) lost an eye to a Blue Heron that was stalking the ponds in our backyard. Always thought the bird would just fly away when it saw her. Our heron was just an asshole. If you have a asshole heron I would keep your doggo away.

Can you make video about best ways to keep a kingfisher out of your pond?

If you use a koi castle/cave koi can hide in there when they are sick or wounded they could die and not be discovered and pollute your pond. Even if you discover the fish is sick or wounded they could hide and avoid capture. Maybe there is one that is removable but you still wouldn't know if something is wrong unless you remove it often.

Good video bro

How about using a couple of dog or wolf Halloween masks sticking out of the bushes? They would have to be moved around every few days. Also using a radio set to a talk show.

HomeDepot or Hardware Store Sells Tall Post with Hooks about 3~4 ft Add 4 Corners of Post as tall as you can find. Then add Netting to the 4 corner Post, since Post comes with Hooks it’s easy to place on or off (under $5 a peace) . Place Net on highest Hook on Post high off the Ground so this way it should not be able to reach Fish or Poke Fish. I had my Pond 3 Years now Egret found my Pond, I also keep my original Net low tucked under Rocks too. So my Pond is double Netted. I attach Highest Net attached to Corner Post so he can’t get inside. Since he’s coming around more I’m going to add 3 Rows of Fishing Wire as a invisible Fence (I will attached them and wire them around the 4 Post to prevent Egret from walking too close to my Pond. I love my Fish and it would be torture to see them killed! If you have a Pond you need to protect them!

I’ve thought about trying to have my dog chase the hair and off, but she’s small and I was worried that heron would attack it. Is that possible?

I have to have a net on mine , I hate tbe net I've built my bond very straight sides 5ft deep, the shallow bits 2 n half foot. The we have 2 layers of sleepers , so they have to stand on thr sleepers and its quite far to the water never mind to step over

The dummy heron definitely did not work for me , after attack’s I went off, the morning the heron was standing along side it. The fishing line on stakes around the pond did work. Thank you for posting

Can you add the link to the floating pond nets?

A rifle with a good scope, works every time and the Herron never comes back a second time! 😂

My ponds are deep, plants around the edges, floating plants inside, two fakes and a net! This thing keeps coming back! He is sticking his beak through the net and killing the koi because he can’t get them out. I hate these birds! But thank you for more info

A mirror and old shiny cds strung up so they move with the wind.

I have just added a Ring floodlight camera. One doesn’t like the siren and another hates my voice on the speaker.

Here's an 11th Way and never seen suggested here or elsewhere: Near the edges of the pond and on the GROUND afix unevenly strong black nylon pond netting. Ensure the net holes are small and that you secure the netting to the ground. Elsewhere, where you suspect the heron might land or walk afix more netting to the ground. It will not like the effect if the netting catches on it's claws and so will fly away.

We have most of these things in our pond. Sprinkler, floating plants, air balls, 2 doberman, places for the fish to hide, rope round the edge, even a big apple tree hangs over the pond. The heron lands on our decking area near the pond this is 3 times a day. The Sprinkler gose off and he just stands there. We think there are 2 herons. they have also been in the neighbours pond. Our last resort is the netting which we did not want to do but looking like we have no choice at this point. We have lost quite a few fish and frogs due to the heron. Dont get me wrong they are beautiful birds but not in my pond x

River otter got all 14 of our huge koi..I am sick....I guess electric fence is best choice? I hate giant netting..ugly..no problem with herons. Pond is 4 ft deep. Only good thing is that we have at least 300 babies...

I have had koi for YEARS. Once they have discovered a pond. They WILL keep coming back. Netting works but if they can poke them but cant get then through the net . They will die. Using a sprinkler while it might make some pest leave most birds enjoy the free shower lol I use fishing line and cd's the color of the cd's keeps them away and the fishing line keeps them away from the pond. I have tried MANY different methods. This is the only thing I can get to work. Other than shooting them witch is illegal. I don't suggest that method . I believe that comes with LOTS of trouble, fines, and jail time. My fish are precious. But so is staying on the outside lol

I bought a life size alligator that works to keep herons and egrets out of the pond. Also I grew a wisteria over the pond which obscures their view and this summer we will be putting a lattice work frame over the pond to support the wisteria. It will shade the pond and keep predators from seeing down into the pond. We hang wind chimes out of the Wisteria I live by the ocean so I had a real problem with herons and egrets, etc. I have heard that making a scarecrow can work also as long as you move it around every several days.

#4 my decoy was attacked by the heron LOL

See, i have plants, three dogs, a waterfall to obscure the top, and i still lost all my fish bar one black one, idk what else to do, cos its only second time its happend, dont really wanna net it but i think its only option

I had a heron rip my netting and ate 46 of my koi in 1 day, so i have now put dog mesh around and have not lost 1 fish since

I used net cause I’m too scared to lose my fish over birds! I have not seen any heron in my backyard yet, but I’m not gonna risk it

you forgot the shotgun method! what I have found the most effective is to build a cover over the whole pond that is about 12 feet tall and cover it with shade cloth. I like the green kind. the herons cannot see you fish in the pond from the air and therefore they do not even know it is there. this does not work for all predators such as racoons but it is very effective against herons. of course it is not cheap to install either.

I use a picket fence with an electric fence on top and across the pond 👍🏻

I have netting but I can't see my fish

Will fishing line stop offspray ?

Rather than a plastic heron, a few realistic plastic fish below the surface should confuse them and slow them down a bit!

Forgot one that's very effective. Cover as much of the pond as you can with an awning, sail shade, shade cloth, etc. Predatory birds won't go under the awning because there is no easy escape route.

i find the floating gun method the best