Fake alligator in the pond?

[sooks]

Hi everyone!

I've seen some pictures of fake alligators in ponds and was wondering if they keep away the herons from eating the fishes?

Anyone know? I'm tired of keeping that ugly net over my pond. 

[Bullfrog]

Or, i can take care of the problem. Heve gun will travel, Bullfrog, hitfrog for hire...

[Pa Nancy]

I know a few ponders with them and they swear by them. They work. 

[tranquility]

you may have to try the 3 S's in ponding

Shoot
Shovel
Shut up 
Lawanna

[Vickie]

No alligators here in Missouri. So how would herons know?

[PondmaninAL]

I know a few ponders with them and they swear by them. They work. 

Would that be the gators or the hitfrogs?


 

[sooks]

I would never shoot a bird. I think I would feel bad about it.  :'( The herons here are all white and very pretty   Too bad they eat my fish though

[miguynmkoi]

Set up a canopy of the netting over your pond that you can have covering the pond when you are not enjoying it.  When you want to enjoy the view just lift the side closest to you with a pole on each corner.  Jerry made a very large canopy over his pond....check it out.

[Johns]

Sooks,

Your "herons" are egrets.   Actually, the great blue heron occupies the entire continental USA, in most areas year round.   I have kept fake alligators in my ponds for years and I think they work much better than fake herons.
For something that really dissuades herons, see my heronizer at http://www.gardenendeavors.com/rack/web13.html





 

[Julles]

The chicken wire and PVC frame covers I have on my pond look pretty icky, and detract from the beauty of the pond.

But I wouldn't dare take them off.  Since putting them on last spring, I've not lost a fish to jumping out, nor to predators.

[Esther]

If the heron is smart enough to sit on my neighbor's roof to scope out the place, fly down and under strings that have been strung out to the trees, be aware of dogs and humans but still get the fish, why would a piece of stationary plastic in the water scare the heron? Are alligators a natural threat in your state or vicinity? Then I could see it but I don't understand how a heron would know to fear one in Michigan.

[Jerry]

My "Gator" hides the float valve

[Bullfrog]

We live in a very swampy region and the crane species are many here, they actually fly over my house in groups, we also have Blue Herons. I'll just use the pump up pellet rifle with one or two pumps, shoot for the butt and hope for the best. I'll also follow John's advice and not have any shelves and plenty of hiding places, stands for the plants and construct the Heronizer. If all else fails I'll break out the light artillery.

[knight7453]

I was plagued with death from above until I got an ornamental alligator to create a barrier for water hyacinth so they don’t float free and cover the tubing from my submerged filter pump.
I was told when I first got into the hobby that sea gulls don’t bother with freshwater fish BOLOGNA!
I have even seen an egret circling my yard like a vulture.
Ever since I installed my gator I have not lost any fish and I have had it now almost 10 years.
The local birds will land on it to preen and stop for a drink and frogs will sit on it to catch bugs but the transient birds like gulls no longer seem interested.
I don’t know if it’s a coincidence and there is some other reason they stay away cause there ain’t no gators on Long Island.

[sooks]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. It seems like the fake alligators would work. I think i should give it a try at least. I really did not like the net around my pond.