Re: [Killietalk] Pond Update (Scott Davis)

[Gay <dipy12 at gmail_com>]

Hello Scott

Try an electric fence.
A battery run electric fence charger, electric fence smooth wire plus the 6
volt battery are fairly cheap.
String several smooth electric fence wires across the top of the tubs /
pools as well as a two or three strand fence around the tubs / pools will
work wonders.

Gay

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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:16:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Scott Davis <unclescott at prodigy_net>
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Pond Update
To: killifish discussion list <killietalk at aka_org>

Look forward to your presentation Joe. I've not gotten to the pond building
stage but have several out door containers of a 20-40-gallon nature.
Unfortunately we have a terrific problem with the ubiquitous (not to mention
iniquitous) raccoons. Though it "uglified" the containers, I was reduced to
wrapping them in a green plastic coated chicken wire mesh to keep the
varmints out. The mesh at least kept the killies safer and some notatus fry
survived.

The raccoons developed a terrific appetite for water hyacinth and would sit
on the mesh and bounce on them until the mesh was closer to the water.
Examining the mess of fragments, a gardening friend thought at first that we
had cut worms.

I'd like to find something (aversion therapy?) which wouldn't kill the
raccoons but would keep them away. That probably needs to be aside from
killing or trapping them because of legal issues and cost. Also one could
guess that a new gang of the masked bandits would just move in.

A pond keeper (ponder?) I met has had good luck with a six foot privacy
fence and a couple of Dobermans. I'd rather not take that course though.
(Picky! Picky!)

I too am intrigued with George's Aphanius pond. Thank you George for the
updates. Wiser minds than mine locally have concluded that a big mistake of
ours is keeping many Aphanius species warmer than need be, much to the
distress of the female Aphanius.

Thanks,
Scott



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