Ask The Expert - Pond Protection From Herons
We have found that there is lots of varying advice on line about keeping herons out of ponds; stopping herons from helping themselves to fish. One of the key bits of advice seems to be that in order to keep a heron away from a pond you need to stop the heron from landing on the edge of the pond. If you can stop the heron landing in or on the edge of the pond they then cannot fish and the problem is solved.
When we look at protecting ponds from herons from an electric fencing point of view there are various options. We will look at the options below… but first we’ll look at the questions we would ask to determine what electric fence might suit your needs best.
Electric Fencing Pond Protection Questions
- What surrounds your pond? Is it foliage, stone, grass or gravel?
- Is your pond elevated or at ground level?
- Do you have a source of mains power near to your pond? Or would your system be run off battery or battery solar?
- What type animal/bird are you trying to keep out? Heron, mink, otters?
- We often ask for a picture of the pond and surrounding area along with measurements so as we can work out what kit you will need.
Pond Protection Kits
Once we have an understanding of the area to be protected we can offer advice on which system might work best. There are two main options for electric fencing pond protection:
- Upright post pond protection
Click here for a link to these kits on line
- Overhanging arm pond protection
Click here for a link to these kits on line
Upright Post Pond Protection
If you have grass right up to the edge of your pond an up right post pond protection electric fence would be your best option. Easy to erect near to the edge of the pond this kit will create a visual and psychological barrier to the pond. The heron cannot land near to the ponds edge and there is no way of it getting close to the pond. Short or long upright posts can be used to protect the pond. A kit list may look like this:
1 x energiser
1 x earth stake
1 x 12v battery
1 x length of polywire
1 x pack of posts
1 x pack of line to line connectors
1 x warning sign
1 x fence tester
Click here to see these kits on line
Overhanging Arm Pond Protection
The overhanging arm kits have been developed with ponds and gardens in mind. The overhanging arms come in two lengths – 20cm and 80cm. Which kit you use will depend on the size of the pond and the level of protection you need. These electric fence kits are generally used on ponds that are raised or have paving stones or rough stone edges. They fix to the pond edge with two screws and insulators are fixed on to the arms so that a number of lines can be run around the pond. A kit list might look like this:
1 x energiser
1 x earth stake
1 x 12v battery
1 x pack of overhanging arms
1 x length of lead out cable
1 x pack of line to line connectors
1 x warning sign
1 x fence tester
Click here to see these kits on line
Earthing
Whilst using the upright posts there will generally not be a problem if the heron is standing on the grass as the current will flow through the ground and back to the earth stake. If however the heron lands on a raised pond edge he will not be earthed and earth lines will need to be incorporated into the electric fence system to ensure it gets a zap.
Click here to contact us and discuss earthing further
Bespoke Kits
Sometimes it might be tricky to know which kit might suit your pond and predator best. As we know a lot about electric fencing pond protection why don’t you ask us to put a kit together for you – you can contact us here or ask us to devise a kit list and quote for you here.
We are keen to help you get the right electric fence for your pond… We hope to hear from you soon.
