Scarecrow

I need to hear from people that are using the "scarecrow" sprinkler to scare
off critters as to whether it really works, pros & cons. After two years of
our pond life, a heron has discovered it. We have a bird sanctuary but that
is not the bird we want and before we actually got to see it, some of our
oldest fish are gone and we are heartsick. I have the pond netted right now
but I would like to use the sprinkler if it really works. Thanks for any
comments and suggestions.
Kathy

Drat those herons!

Nets work but for a number of reasons some
pond people do not want to use nets.

And yes, the sprinkler works for some ponders.
We've had reports on rec.ponds over the years.
Jan uses one but she is gone for the day or
I'd E her to get her to answer.

It really depends on how your yard is set up
and where your pond is situtated in the yard.

I've communicated with the company that makes
the sprinklers and they suggest for really aggressive
herons to set up two of the sprinklers at a 75 degree
angle to one another.

You have to be prepared to experiment. I'd
leave the net on while doing it if you don't want to
lose any more finned friends.

kathy :-)
www.blogfromthebog.com
this week ~ raccoons

"Jeff Brown" wrote:

I need to hear from people that are using the "scarecrow" sprinkler to scare
off critters as to whether it really works, pros & cons. After two years of
our pond life, a heron has discovered it. We have a bird sanctuary but that
is not the bird we want and before we actually got to see it, some of our
oldest fish are gone and we are heartsick. I have the pond netted right now
but I would like to use the sprinkler if it really works. Thanks for any
comments and suggestions.
Kathy



I have had one for three years now and it is very effective. The only down
side I have seen is that it is hard to tell when the battery is used up. My
first one also had a defect that made it go off continuously.

Plus, you have to remember to turn it on


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.

"We need to make a sacrifice to the pond gods, find me a young virgin... oh,
and bring something to kill"

San Diego Joe wrote:
I have had one for three years now and it is very effective. The only down
side I have seen is that it is hard to tell when the battery is used up. My
first one also had a defect that made it go off continuously.

Plus, you have to remember to turn it on


And you have to remember to turn it off too ;-)
I seem to have a tough time remembering that one.
(Idilic scene: Morning light slanting through the trees, strolling out
to the pond with morning coffee in had for a bit of tranquility and
then.....)

"Greg Cooper" wrote:

San Diego Joe wrote:
I have had one for three years now and it is very effective. The only down
side I have seen is that it is hard to tell when the battery is used up. My
first one also had a defect that made it go off continuously.

Plus, you have to remember to turn it on


And you have to remember to turn it off too ;-)
I seem to have a tough time remembering that one.
(Idilic scene: Morning light slanting through the trees, strolling out
to the pond with morning coffee in had for a bit of tranquility and
then.....)

Yeah, I've been wet before! I wired mine to a switch, seems to work
okay...unless I forget the switch.


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.

"We need to make a sacrifice to the pond gods, find me a young virgin... oh,
and bring something to kill"

Doesn't it also scare off adults or attract children ?

Jeff Brown wrote:
I need to hear from people that are using the "scarecrow" sprinkler to scare
off critters as to whether it really works, pros & cons. After two years of
our pond life, a heron has discovered it. We have a bird sanctuary but that
is not the bird we want and before we actually got to see it, some of our
oldest fish are gone and we are heartsick. I have the pond netted right now
but I would like to use the sprinkler if it really works. Thanks for any
comments and suggestions.
Kathy

I did read on another board about a fellow
who had a scarecrow set up in his yard
during the day while he was gone.

A neighbor saw something suspicious in
the neighborhood and called the police.
A patrolman investigated the neighbor's
backyards and got nailed by the scarecrow.
Luckily he didn't shoot it ;-)

So maybe a ponder might consider posting
a sign on his gate - warning! you may get
soaked!

k :-)

kathy wrote:

I did read on another board about a fellow
who had a scarecrow set up in his yard
during the day while he was gone.

A neighbor saw something suspicious in
the neighborhood and called the police.
A patrolman investigated the neighbor's
backyards and got nailed by the scarecrow.
Luckily he didn't shoot it ;-)

So maybe a ponder might consider posting
a sign on his gate - warning! you may get
soaked!

That would make them less effective against the raccoons though ('coz I'm
sure those critters can read).
--
derek

Hi Jeff,
For what it's worth to you. My wife and I have also had potential Heron
problems. Fortunately we saw them just as they arrived. We purchased a
fake Heron and placed it by the pond, we also move it to a different
location every few days. So far, so good. That was last year, and we
haven't lost any fish yet. We would hate to lose any of them. I have heard
stories of people who have lost every one of their fish to these birds.
Hope this helps a little. Bob
--
Find articles, pictures, filter media, homemade pond filter, and more at
www.backyard-pond-guide.com


"Jeff Brown" wrote in message
...
I need to hear from people that are using the "scarecrow" sprinkler to
scare
off critters as to whether it really works, pros & cons. After two years
of
our pond life, a heron has discovered it. We have a bird sanctuary but
that
is not the bird we want and before we actually got to see it, some of our
oldest fish are gone and we are heartsick. I have the pond netted right
now
but I would like to use the sprinkler if it really works. Thanks for any
comments and suggestions.
Kathy

Jeff Brown wrote:
I need to hear from people that are using the "scarecrow" sprinkler
to scare
off critters as to whether it really works, pros & cons. After two
years of
our pond life, a heron has discovered it. We have a bird sanctuary
but that
is not the bird we want and before we actually got to see it, some of
our
oldest fish are gone and we are heartsick. I have the pond netted
right now
but I would like to use the sprinkler if it really works. Thanks for
any
comments and suggestions.
Kathy

I use one for the cats and racoons it works pretty darn well... after
some trial and error I was able to turn down the sensitivity to keep it
from spraying the squirrles and birds.

One word of caution... make sure you use REALLY GOOD garden hose to
connect it, most hoses don't survive the constant presure.