Guarding Your Arizona Backyard Oasis - A Guide to Defending Ponds Against Raccoon Intruders2/1/2024
Yes, we have raccoons in Phoenix, AZ! Arizona's backyard ponds serve as tranquil havens, providing homeowners with a slice of nature within their property. However, maintaining these water features comes with its challenges, especially when raccoons decide to make your pond their nightly playground. Raccoons can wreak havoc on ponds, causing damage to aquatic plant life and disrupting the aesthetics of your backyard paradise. In this blog, we'll explore effective strategies to defend your Arizona backyard pond from raccoon intruders, while preserving the harmonious coexistence between your water feature and local wildlife. Understanding the ThreatRaccoons are intelligent and resourceful creatures, known for their curiosity and dexterity (some people call them cats with hands). When they discover a pond, they view it as a potential food source and an opportunity for play. The potential damage caused by raccoons includes uprooting plants, disturbing the pond substrate, and even predation on fish and other aquatic life. They can be quite destructive, especially if your pond is hosting an entire gaze of raccoons (yes, you read that right: a group of raccoons is referred to as a “gaze”). Now you know. Implementing RACCOON Defense StrategiesPhysical Barriers The most effective direct barrier for raccoons is an electric barrier fence. Ranch supply stores, like Tractor Supply, sell very affordable electric barrier fencing options. The obvious drawback is that this type of fencing will also limit your pet’s ability to access the pond. Since raccoons are nocturnal predators, the answer to that issue is to put a timer on the fencing transformer so that it is only active between bedtime and dawn. And then remember the times when you can let your dog out without mishap. Motion-Activated Devices You could install motion-activated sprinklers or lights (sometimes called “Scarecrows”). Raccoons are nocturnal, and sudden bursts of water, light, or sound can startle and deter them. These devices are an effective way to discourage raccoons from approaching your pond. If you opt for water, be sure to deactivate it before you go out, or you’re gonna get an unexpected shower. The funniest noise option story I’ve heard is using a motion-activated power source to activate an electric drill with a bent bit inside of an old metal mailbox. The racket will scare the hair off the raccoon and if it happens to wake you that makes for a good chuckle before you fall back to sleep and dream about your koi greeting you from their safe haven in the morning! Floating Deterrents Place floating objects like large plastic balls or inflated pool toys in your pond. Raccoons are less likely to enter water where these objects are present, as they can be unpredictable and uncomfortable for the animals. Natural Deterrents Use predator decoys or scents. Strategically place decoys of natural predators, like owls or hawks, around the pond. Additionally, you can use predator urine or scents to create the illusion of danger, making raccoons think twice before approaching. An actual patrol dog is another obvious choice. Secure Feeding Practices Refrain from feeding other local wildlife near the pond, as this may attract raccoons looking for an easy meal. Remove any potential food sources, such as fallen fruit or pet food, that might entice them onto your property. Strategic Landscaping and Regular Maintenance Keep surrounding vegetation trimmed to eliminate potential hiding spots for raccoons. This also ensures clear lines of sight, making your pond less appealing as a shelter. Professional Pest Management If you have an ongoing raccoon issue, you can contact a pest control company properly licensed to capture and relocate these critters. One good choice would be Arizona Wildlife Control. Defending your Arizona backyard pond against raccoons requires a combination of preventive measures and thoughtful landscaping. By implementing physical barriers, motion-activated devices, floating deterrents, and/or natural deterrents, and maintaining secure feeding practices, you can coexist peacefully with local wildlife while preserving the beauty of your pond. With these strategies in place, you can enjoy the serenity of your backyard oasis without the fear of raccoon disturbances. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: Build it and they will come! Everything needs water to survive, and if you have a living backyard pond in Phoenix, you can count on visitors. Some of these will delight the eye; others may not be so welcome. An organic, healthy water source is a boon for local wildlife, as well as native & migratory birds. But everything in life is a package deal, especially when it comes to backyard landscape ideas. The possibility of pond predators seeking out your backyard pond is a valid concern in terms of the safety of your pond's inhabitants and your family, but the possibility shouldn't be a reason to avoid having a backyard pond, and a little common sense goes a long way. We've listed here a few visitors that you might encounter. RACCOONS ARE PREDATORSYes, we have raccoons in Phoenix. Raccoons generally won't actually swim in your pond. That's not to say they couldn't stand on the side of your pond and take a swipe at your fish. Fortunately, most fish will swim to a deeper, more protected part of the pond when a predator is threatening them. We had a raccoon visit with us for a short time. Yep, ate our favorite fish. There are pest control companies that can help you with these guys. And there are several deterrents that can be employed to discourage them from coming near your pond. BLUE HERONS ARE HUNGRY BIRDSThe one predator with legitimate credentials to raid your backyard pond is the Blue Heron. These birds can easily wade into your pond, help themselves to any fish of their choice, and fly away with their bellies full. They are a protected species, so don’t get any crazy ideas about getting out your BB gun. Giving your fish a place to hide in your backyard pond (adding Koi caves) dramatically increases their odds of survival, and/or a motion-sensing sprinkler can be set up alongside your pond ready to fire a steady stream of water at a predator has had some degree of success in warding off these curious critters. Just remember to turn the darn thing off before YOU go outside, or be prepared to get an unexpected shower. COYOTES ARE A BIT WEIRDCoyotes really just want a drink of water. Although, as you can see from the photo below, sometimes they like to bathe or lay in a shallow stream to cool off. They've also been known to take a poop in a stream, which we find to be a bizarre behavior. If you have coyotes in your neighborhood, take a quick peak out a window before you go charging out the door, just to be on the safe side, or before you let your little pooch outside. JAVELINA CAN BE DANGEROUSAgain, Javelina are just stopping by for a drink. They're not interested in your fish. However, they can be dangerous, especially if they have young with them. Always check your surroundings before venturing out of the house. RODENTS CAN BE SERIOUS PESTSIf you live in an area where rodents are prevalent, you will probably attract some to your backyard pond. They can be real pests, as they tend to dig. Rodents will make homes in the back of waterfalls and can wreak all sorts of damage if not caught early. And with rodents come the predators of rodents. Reptiles are generally a retiring bunch, and don’t want anything more to do with humans than humans want to do with them. THE BEES' KNEESNow that we’ve scared the wits out of you, let’s talk about some terrific beneficial creatures that will be attracted to your organic water feature. We’ll start by talking about bees. Yes, bees are friendlies! They are after the water. These girls are very busy collecting it to take back to the hive to keep the rest of the hive alive, especially during the hot summer months. Bees are a “collective,” meaning that they each (as drones) are programmed to do a specific job for the “collective,” and no more. The only way they sting is in confusion or self-defense. So, don't interrupt their day. NATIVE & MIGRATORY BIRDS ARE FUN TO WATCHBirds are probably the prominent creatures that you will notice around your backyard pond. Want to see Orioles, Cardinals, Warblers, Cactus Wren, etc., right outside your living room window? A pond gives them a healthy, organic water source, whether they’re there to stay, or just making a pit stop along the way to their destination, making this backyard landscape idea a favorite of bird lovers. OTHER COOL CRITTERSFrogs, toads, butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies are other awesome critters that are attracted to backyard ponds. Not only are they great fun to observe, but they provide the best possible integrated pest management you can imagine! Other cute critters you might spy around your pond would be families of quail, bunnies, and lizards. Whether they’re pets or friendlies is, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:But They're so Cute! Even the cutest of wild critters can be detrimental to your Phoenix pond! During your normal pond maintenance, be sure to check around the waterfall and skimmer areas for rodent activity. Damage can happen over time right under your nose! They dig in and start tunneling around under the rocks and dirt, and can undermine equipment and plumbing, wreaking all kinds of havoc along the way. Rodent Damage to a Phoenix Pond The result of rodent activity in a Phoenix pond can be anything from the mild annoyance of having to re-stack the rock or add some larger rocks to keep them at bay (in the early stages), to having to completely tear apart and rebuild your water feature (if left unchecked). We've see this all the time because folks aren't checking around the whole feature. Because we use a flexible system to build Phoenix ponds, this is a fixable issue; however, it can be time-consuming, and thus, somewhat costly. Walk the Whole Walk! We know it's more fun to view your Phoenix pond from your patio or sitting area, but once in a while take a little stroll around the whole thing to check the back end, too. Just like you walk around your house occasionally to check for termite trails, right? If you don't do that either, it's another thing you should consider doing on a regular basis, because prevention is a lot easier (and cheaper) than infestation! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: PROMOTING WELLNESS THROUGH LANDSCAPE DESIGN THE SECRET TO NEVER DRAINING & CLEANING YOUR POND 5 BASIC FENG SHUI PRINCIPLES FOR WATER FEATURES Concern about bees is something that we hear A LOT when it comes to backyard pond management. With the Africanized bees and the Honey bees inter-breeding, there have been a lot of scary incidents on the news. Most of those, however, are due to someone interfering with the bees in some way, whether intentional or not. That being said, it's always a good idea to use some caution when dealing with a potentially dangerous situation. Don't scream or use any loud equipment around a known hive. And always use a professional beekeeper for removals. Why are the bees in my pond? Can I make the bees leave my pond? Most bee hives simply want to be left alone to do their thing. When it comes to bees around a backyard pond, remember that the bees are there to collect water, one drop at a time, to take back to the hive to cool it. And what better water than a living, all-natural backyard pond? Can you blame them for wanting the best they can get? A bee is programed to do a specific job for the "collective," and no more. Guard bees do their job within 100 feet of the hive, so those are not the ones collecting water from your yard. The bees at your pond are specifically genetically programmed to get water to the hive, post haste, without detour. The only way they sting is in self-defense. And when they sting you, they die, so it's really not their first choice! If bees are fetching water from your pond, you can talk to them (we think they like it), or even pet them (Paul does, but most people think he's nuts, go figure). But don't scream at them, they don't understand. And never molest them or hold them up -- they have blackbelts in beejitsu! ;-) If they are collecting from a spot that is inconvenient for you, such as right next to your sitting area, you can discourage this pretty easily. Another bonus of having a ecosystem backyard pond with natural rock & stone! Wait until there are no bees around (typically after dusk). Wash the rocks down in the area to remove the pheromone left behind by the bees to guide others to that particular spot. Then re-arrange the rocks to make it a less attractive landing space. If this doesn't work the first time, try again until you get it right. They will get the hint and find another spot, preferably further away from where you want to sit and enjoy your water feature. BEE REMOVAL SERVICES Bees are an integral part of our global ecosystem, and we recommend living in harmony with them whenever possible. In fact, without bees pollinating our food plants, we would have no food. No bees = no people. However, if you have a hive on your property, or your neighbor's property, have it removed by a professional. A QUICK VIDEO ABOUT INTERACTING WITH BEES: Look at that Escargot! Okay, yes, it's an old joke! But some people don't think snails in their pond are too funny. Snails that originate in an aquatic environment do not survive in the desert outside the pond. The aquatic snails feed on algae and dead plant material (pond detritus), and are therefore considered a beneficial critter in the aquatic environment. There are very few varieties that feed on living aquatic plant material, and we only rarely see these varieties. If you do see them, they will most likely be eating your water lilies. What should I do about snails in my Phoenix pond? Don't worry about the pond snails. They are pretty much relegated to life inside the pond. AND, BONUS, it's great fun for young children to hunt for them in the rocks and plants -- it's an activity that can keep them busy for hours! What Should I do About Snails in my Garden?If you have snails in your garden, on the other hand, the Master Gardeners can help you out here, because those are a nuisance. You can also contact them via email: MaricopaCountyPlantHotline@gmail.com. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE: PH FOR PHOENIX PONDS FUN FACTS ABOUT KOI FISH THE VALUE OF PROFESSIONAL POND MAINTENANCE CONTACT THE POND GNOME TODAY ABOUT YOUR PROJECT!
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The Pond Gnome offers Pond Design, Pond Construction, Pond Maintenance, Pond Remodeling, Pond Replacement, and Pond Cleaning Services for the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area, including the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree, Cave Creek, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, and other surrounding communities.
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