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Well, I've got a pair of green head malard ducks that have decided to make my small pond their home, or at least temporarily. I wouldn't mind except for the fact that they are making a mess of it, and the additional bio-load is going to be huge. I keep running them off, but they return later in the day or the next morning. Oh well, short of having them for dinner not much I can do I guess.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Ducks are real pests when it comes to ponds, that's for sure. From eating and trampling plants, to munching on small fish, they really aren't welcome invaders. Are you willing to use some sort of netting to keep them out? Or, do you have a dog that would be able to help you scare them off? You don't want the ducks coming back, so preventative measures should be taken, if possible.

Last edited by sirbooks at 29-Mar-2005 11:37

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Electric dog fence. I put one around my pond to keep out herons. They only have to touch it once, and they will never come back.

I had a pet duck once... and they are quite messy. I'd suggest the dog is a bad idea if you're a "nature lover" as watching a small animal get torn to shreds by a 'playful' dog might be slightly disturbing.

How long has the pond been set up? I'd suggest it's more likely the ducks are just passing through, and if you can ignore them, they'll shortly leave. The netting and the electric fence also would be good options short of draining the pond. Wild duck eat to much fish and muck, so they are never tasty. But perhaps if you grain feed them for a while to fatten them up, i can point you to some GREAT cook books. Duck is soooo yummy if done right!!

The pond has been up for several years and no the ducks are not just passing through. Our area is a major summer nesting ground for both ducks and geese and actually there are numerous ducks in the area spring thru fall, so they are probably here to stay. I will just have to try and keep chasing them off and maybe they'll get the idea that they aren't wanted.]]

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

OT, Try a pellet gun.

why not find a siloet of a duck preditor? they wont want to come back if they are at risk

LOL - had to laugh. You have ducks you can't get OUT of your pond and we have ducks that it took 3+ months to get the IN our pond. (long story). However our pond is more of a lake and is able to handle the added bio-load of our 3 quackers.....
Anyway - the most humane ways to un-invite your guests is to either use the predator decoy method or netting over the pond (if feasible - not sure of the size/setup of your pond).

It's kind of crazy, as this is just a small decorative pond that is approximately 4' x 3' with a depth of approximately 2' and these crazy ducks must think it's a lake.

There are several areas close by much larger, but for some reason this is now home.

I'm going to call the Fish & Game today to see if they have any additional suggestions as they are a migratory bird and protected by federal statutes so I kind of want to do what is right, or at least get some kind of permission to handle the situation. There are laws that protect against nuisance animals, but you need to get permission first.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

weve had ducks for 4 years in our pond theyve had babies twice but only oce at our pond weve never thought to get rid of them because are fish were to big for them to eat and we had lots of plant but when they came the alge increased the plants arnt that great and our rocks are covered in poop

Well I spoke with the Fish & Game today and they said there was nothing they could do and there was nothing I could do (legally) to get rid of the ducks as it is nesting season.

My only option is to cover the pond with some wire or netting of some sort]] not what I wanted to do, but will have to for now. So I'm off to the store to pick up some chicken wire.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

run a hot wire around the pond for a week once they get shocked a few times they will find a less electrifying place to set up house for the season:88)

The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an bacon and egg breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

i saw the ducks woddling over to the compost today there usual nesting spot, i hope we see ducklings!/:'

There is some motion detector water spray systems to deter pond predetors that would also keep away the ducks... Mine I bought for the Heron problem we had.

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

You could also try buying a plastic bird-of-prey figure. We bought one of a great horned owl to keep the ducks out of our pool, and so far they haven't come back.

Joe Potato