Apr 11
26

How do I keep possums out of backyard Koi pond?

15 Comments

Possums killed my Koi

Is there any way to keep possums out of our yard?  Possums have just invaded our backyard and they have already eaten all the fish in our .  They also dug a bunch of holes and tore up the compost pile.

Is there a way to keep them out or at least discourage them from the compost pile and by making it hard for them.  Is there any way other than setting traps? I don’t want to kill them if I can avoid it.  Not looking forward to the local PETA chapter being all over my place.  The yard is fenced.

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Posted in Koi by Pond Manager 15 Comments

15 Responses to "How do I keep possums out of backyard Koi pond?"

  • Bernadette C says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    i dont know about the compost pile, but my neighbor keeps a thin net over his koi pond to keep the animals out. you can barely even see it.

  • Rick S says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    You have to trap them and then take them 30 miles away and let them go.. or drown them.

    Sometimes you have to get rid of cats the same way…

    I haven’t caught a skunk yet, I hope that doesn’t happen! That would be interesting.

  • pedro says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    You must have a wild and natural yard, they like that more than the postage stamp sized yards. They are living nearby, and looking for food, our visitors eat cat food every night from the porch. They hang out in the crawl space or the attic space. Yet they don’t bother the bunnies or cats. Everyone gets along. Opossums can climb with agility, so fencing is unlikely to help. They don’t like lights, so try a motion activated light for the koi pond. Not a 50 watt, but a couple of 150 watt, on a temporary basis. Direct the flood lamps toward the pond, and set the sensor so it trips before they reach the edge.
    Far as the compost, what are they after? Try tossing the heaps more often.

  • Raymond H says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    roast dem possum good and brown
    mmmmm good and brown
    and ring them taters all around
    mmmmm all around

  • catherine s says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Trap and release is a good idea. Motion activated lights is a good idea. Drowning them is NOT a good idea. Try soaking rags in ammonia and placing them at the perimeter of your yard. They will think a large animal has peed there and will come back to eat them. It will scare them away. Or get a dog.
    Are you sure they are possums and not raccoons? Possums don’t usually eat fish but the Coonies love them! Either way, ammonia should work.

  • betty k says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Ive known people that say no matter what the’ve done , they cant get rid of the possums. They come out with your gardens and wreck them. They are sooooo bad. bettyk

  • Morningstar says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Sounds more like you have raccoons. Use a live trap to catch
    them.Once they get started , it very difficult to get rid of them.
    Get one of those sensors that sounds like a barking dog when they are activated , that’ll scare them off.

  • Lady M says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Try calling RSPCA to come and remove them and re-home them.

  • Lola O says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Try calling animal control.

  • Teresa B says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    If there are no domestic animals there you could give them rat poison and they will die. Or you could buy those things to stick in the ground that kills moles.

  • nyslone says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Put a electric fence up around your pond.

  • Kate says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    get a dog.

  • Irishman says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Call your local park authority. I live near a national park and they will capture the animal using a cage overnight and then release the animal into the park. Make sure its park authority, thats the only way you know for sure they will re-release it.

  • KAT says:
    August 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm
    Reply

    Trapping the possums and releasing them would be the best solution to your problem. However, this will not keep other possums from entering your yard. I am not sure if you already have a fence around your home, but that would be a good way to begin to keep them out. Also, use netting for your Koi pond.

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