Scare away herons? Protect your pond from herons.

Ways to protect your pond from herons

You have beautiful fish in your pond that you're very proud of. You show them off to everyone, until you take your nephew to take a look... Out of 10 fish, only 1 is left! There are no dead fish on the shore, and after testing the water, it turns out that wasn't the cause. So, it must have been herons or other animals like cats. Time to protect your pond from herons and repel them!

The heron is patient, don't reward that!

You've probably seen them at one (or your) pond. They can stand at the water's edge for hours, waiting for their meal. In the Netherlands, the most common heron species is the grey heron, so you've probably seen one. Herons are a protected species, which is good news for many people, but not for pond owners. More and more herons are appearing in the Netherlands, so you'll find them at your pond more often than usual.

Natural solutions to protect your fish

Want to deter herons from your pond? Herons need a landing/fishing spot to reach your pond. You can remove these spots by placing obstacles, such as plants. Place these plants in a nice container about 20 cm high. Another "partial" solution is to plant lots of plants in your pond. This creates plenty of hiding places for your fish. If a heron wants to strike, your fish can duck behind the plants. Floating plants like water lilies and duckweed are particularly effective. A deep pond is also beneficial, allowing the fish to escape to the bottom.

Repelling a heron: other, more effective solutions

There are even more solutions for deterring herons. Electric fencing above your pond is one of the most effective. It gives the heron a mild shock, startling them and preventing them from returning. The downside is that it's quite expensive and doesn't look very attractive. Light-reflecting objects can also deter herons; we have several types in our webshop . We also offer the Velda Pond Laser Guard Shuffle , which protects your pond fish with a bright flash of light and piercing predator sounds, including an ultrasonic sound inaudible to humans.