need suggestions

[aravenschild]

I caught a cat fishing in my pond, so far she has managed to kill 3 of my larger ryukins :'( we've put netting over the pond and that seemed to stop her killing spree, but she keeps returning to the pond...........

live traps haven't worked on her, but they have worked great at catching my to toms (both neutered), and short of using a 12 gauge shot gun, does any one have suggestions on how to persuade her to move on?

[LeeAnne151]

Electric fence.

Motion water cannon, Johns has plans for a DIY one on his website

Unfortunately fancy goldfish swim so "wiggly" at the top of the water and can't dive fast that they are easy prey for all predators. Even those that normally can't/won't catch fish.

[jw]

Cats don't like citrus peel, like orange or lemon. Cut it up and toss it around the pond area. Lay pieces of  sharp thorny sticker stems around the area or some cut up pieces of barbed wire. They give a yell and run but it won't injure them except for an unpleasing poke.
Get one of those motion sensitive scare crows that shoots water at whatever gets in their view. There are some products out in the gardening stores that claim to work like granules or spray etc. but I've never tried them.

[Reedman]

Try baiting the live trap with an opened can of tuna?

[perplexed ponder]

They also don't like the smell of Irish Spring soap. maybe you could hide some nearby where it won't melt into pond if it rains?

[miguynmkoi]

That's the only good thing about a fenced in backyard.  It keeps many critters out once you establish uncomfortable situations.  I knew where a neighbor's cat climbed in and out, so I laid lots of cut rose trimmings by its entrance.  Also I always have a garden hose ready to shoot water.  They hate the attack of water.  It has worked.  No cats in my backyard menagerie of bird, turtle, and fishies.

Mind you, I don't hate cats.  I only hate the poop they leave behind and the possible attack of my fancy goldies.  Otherwise I like them from afar.   

[aravenschild]

Thank you for all the advice so far, but.........


LeAnn151
electric fence to many grandkids, and neighbors that come by unexpected, not to mention my fat lazy toms that love to sleep in the back corner
motion cannon, the pond is by my front door, don't think unexpected guests will approve of a soaking (though the grandkids might )

JW & Perplexed Ponder
It is an above ground pond, about 24 inches tall, all the great ideas you both have mentioned will more then likely end up in the pond

Reedman
Have already tried the live trap, shes toooo smart even for tuna , and my toms won't pass up on a free tuna dinner , no matter what they have to go through to get it

Miguynmkoi
My backyard is fenced but the pond is by my front door

So far the netting has worked, haven't lost any more, just don't like the look of it. She runs away whenever she sees us now, so maybe she will get the idea that she isn't welcome and move on. I guess all that I can do now is have a talk with those lazy toms of mine about who they can invite home.....................

Thank you again,

aravenschild

[jw]

Ok when all else fails get a Jack Russel terrier!

[aravenschild]

We have a rat terrier, will that work?

[Vickie]

I don't like the look of netting either, but it saves my big koi. So I will keep netting it. I have cats coming around too. So far I don't think they have caught any of my fish.

[Bullfrog]

I'm sticking tom my guns on this, 

One or two pumps, soft, plastic pellet, apply to cat's rear end as needed. 

[Julles]

Oh, my PET PEEVE - OTHER PEOPLE'S cats allowed to run amock on YOUR property!  We've discussed this before; I'm sure you can find suggestions if you do a Search, or scroll around last summer's discussions.  Probably in a thread started by ME!

In addition to the above suggestins, there is also fox and coyote urine, which is supposed to repel cats, because those animals are natural predators.  Google them to find a vendor.

[jw]

Oh Bullfrog here we go again!  She could get an invisible fence.........you know like the one's they use to keep animals in the yard. But she could use it just the opposite. Put the collar thingy on the cat and put it outside of the yard and then when the cat tries to come in it would get zapped! Course the owner of the cat would have to agree to it and it costs a lot too.  Or you could put an electric fence around the area and only turn it on when you see the  cat is out there and the kids and others aren't out there and after a few volts the cat would not come in that area again and you could then just use it for back up now and then.  That's the cheaper route!

[turtlemike]

Electrify a can of tuna with a fence charger, set it on a small insulating surface like a tea cup saucer. set it on the ground and that cat will never eat tuna in your yard again!  and probably will stay out of your yard all together.      Your toms will learn not to eat tuna also.    I don't know if that will protect your koi but sure will protect your tuna.

[WV Kim]

I have the same problem with stray cats. I now have a scarecrow!  They are expensive but worth every penny.

WV Kim 

[Bullfrog]

My method is cheaper and a lot more fun. 

We have that wireless shock collars for our dogs before we built the wooden fence and it costs about $180.00 with two collars.

How about a slingshot?

[LeeAnne151]

How about keeping fish that swim and dive fast enough to escape? Ryunkins in a pond without a cover are begging to be eaten.....

Even if you've seen this cat eating or playing with one outside of the pond it could have been one of your own cats, a raccoon or a heron who actually did the deed.