Decoys for the Pond
Use them Wisely

Decoys are used often to defend koi and goldfish from deadly predators such as the Great Blue Heron.  They are garden ornaments that tend to be more attractive than placing netting over the pond so often folks opt to try the heron decoy first.  We've seen decoys work to help keep herons away but we've also seen them lure predators into the area!  The trick to using a decoy successfully is knowing when and where to use them and for what purpose. 

Decoys that Bring Out Territorial Behavior

The whole idea around placing a blue heron decoy (or two) near the pond is to deter rivals from landing.  During most of the year blue herons display territorial behavior, preferring to stay away from ponds already being fished by a rival heron.  A true-to-life decoy can act as a heron who has claimed the pond for his own. 

During the mating season of the heron (when the weather starts warming up) the decoy can actually do more harm than good.  One of the most tragic (but funny) calls I received was from a lady asking me what sex our decoys were.  She explained that she had put the decoy out.  The following morning she found a huge and very alive male blue heron snuggling with it.  She went on to say that he had his wing around her, smoking a cigarette.  I advised her to immediately take the decoy down and put it away until after mating season.  The Great Blue Heron mates when the weather starts warming up in early spring.  It's best to take the decoys away in early March then place them back in late May.    

• Every now and then it's advisable to move him around.  Herons are more intelligent than we give them credit for and will soon figure it out. 
• Choose a decoy that looks exactly like the blue heron.  Someone's artsy rendering of a heron should be used as art - not as a working decoy.  Crane statues do not work.
• It's okay to use more than one decoy - especially if the pond being protected is large.
• Place the decoy(s) near the pond's edge or, if possible, standing in the water.  A heavy pot of dirt can anchor the decoy without it piercing the liner.  The picture on the right shows the heron wading through water.  The closer one can get to displaying this behavior the better.

The decoy that we carry is made of a hard plastic and is the closest in color and size to a real blue heron that we've found.  When placing that particular decoy it is important that the stake be pushed into the ground first then the decoy body fitted onto the stake.  If too much pressure is applied on the body (ie. pushing the heron down on the stake and into the ground) it will damage the body.  You can order a heron decoy here:

The second kind of decoy one can use on a pond to deter any bird of prey (such as the blue heron, hawk or owl) is a realistic natural enemy of the predator birds.  I know of no heron that will go near an alligator.  Alligator decoys can be used both floating in the water and on land.  Again, the alligator must look real and fearsome in order to work.

Decoys that Deter

Another type of decoy used in the pursuit of protecting our koi and goldfish from predators is floating replicas of koi and goldfish.  Blue herons stand completely still in the pond and wait for a fish to swim near him.  These rubbery floating decoys are certainly easier to catch so they will be attacked first.  Anchored well, the fake koi or goldfish will keep the heron busy and create a splash to scare the live fish who have time and opportunity to go deeper and hide.  If the heron takes the decoy away then the jokes on him!

Keep a couple floating at a time.  Order them here:

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