Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Other pet critters - Birds, fish, rabbits, reptiles, rodents and exotics > Wildlife - squrriels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, groundhogs, etc.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 19th, 2010, 04:00 AM
PumpkinPal's Avatar
PumpkinPal PumpkinPal is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 39
Raccoon Hunting In My Koi Pond, Help Needed!

I hope this is the proper place to post.

I have a good sized koi pond in the back yard. A few months ago, after
the koi had laid her eggs, I noticed the koi disappearing. Within 3 days, all
the adults and one junior were gone. None of the eggs hatched to survive.

I didn't know what happened until last night. I heard the neighbors dog
barking. I saw a large raccoon. I chased it, it returned about an hour ago.
Went right into the pond and had a swim.

I have 6 junior koi, a frog, and my beloved red slider turtle Honu. What can
I do? I do not wish to trap or harm the raccoon, I would just like it to go
elsewhere. I cannot net the pond, as Honu needs to come out during
the day to bask.

I've heard of things like Shake Away that are supposed to safely deter them.

http://www.critter-repellent.com/rac...f-raccoons.php

Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to lose any more of my
aquatic friends.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old July 19th, 2010, 10:32 AM
NoahGrey's Avatar
NoahGrey NoahGrey is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,438
You can try putting a few lights around your pond. Or even a portable radio. Raccooons deter from light or sound. I would try the lights first.

Last edited by NoahGrey; July 19th, 2010 at 02:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old July 19th, 2010, 03:29 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
I can't remember where I saw it, but someone I knew had a frog statue that was motion activated. It croaked and spat water when the sensor was triggered. Something like that might reinforce motion-activated lights, too, to chase them away.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old July 19th, 2010, 03:40 PM
Floppy Dog Floppy Dog is offline
Floppy Dog
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Squamish, BC
Posts: 194
They have the same problem at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Garden in Vancouver, BC. They use a type of "blue" clay dissolved in the water to make it opaque. You don't see the koi very well unless they are close to the surface but it deters both the racoons and eagles. It also makes a lovely reflecting surface.
__________________
If you're green, you're growing...if you're ripe, you're rotting!

I try to greet the world like my pets do...boundless enthusiasm, intense curiosity and no concept of yesterday and tomorrow.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old July 21st, 2010, 04:38 AM
PumpkinPal's Avatar
PumpkinPal PumpkinPal is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 39
Thank you all for the suggestions. Money is a bit tight at the moment,
so I needed to find something not too costly.

Since raccoons have such a strong sense of smell, I did read that sprinkling
cayenne pepper about the yard should be helpful. I emptied several bags
around the pond and in a few other places in the yard. Haven't seen it
back yet. Hopefully, it decided to go somewhere else for good.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old July 30th, 2010, 11:25 PM
erykah1310's Avatar
erykah1310 erykah1310 is offline
Blue eyed funny farm
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 5,595
what about a small electric fence? Just at a low level that the raccoon wouldnt bother with it after a shock or two?
Electric fencing is a very popular way to keep raccoons and deer out of gardens and plants around here. Wont hurt them but definately gets the point accross
__________________
Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyways. ~John Wayne
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
nusiance, pond, raccoon, turtle

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:20 AM.