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  • Results 1 to 12 of 12

    Thread: How to keep Otters out of your pond

    1. #1
      davidjensen's Avatar
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      How to keep Otters out of your pond

      OK I need to protect my pond with something that will keep a family of otters out. The construction of the pond has loose river rock around the edge and in the front there is no dirt to anchor the support rods for the electric wires. I have read that the electric wire needs to be well grounded but is that at each post? I have a good netting that I use in the winter but its the last thing I want 24/7. Any other ideas.
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    2. #2
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      Quote Originally Posted by davidjensen View Post
      Any other ideas.

      Yeah.....move

    3. #3
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      Pretty pond, but looks like otter heaven....steep sides, depth, cover, all the things that will deter herons and the like won't stop an otter. Those babies can swim under water 6 minutes. You have a 'family' of them?
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      Find out what animals kill and eat otters and buy some urine of same and spread around the pond.They have to be afraid of something.

      Bill

    5. #5
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      Anyone know where I can get some badger or grizzle bear urine So do any of you think a wire will work?

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      Quote Originally Posted by davidjensen View Post
      Anyone know where I can get some badger or grizzle bear urine
      I was serious,David.Check out garden centers in your area or online.Badger urine is probably available.They are nasty critters.

      Bill

    7. #7
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      The electric wire fence might work if you replace some of the rocks with a band of soil and install your fence in that soil...I think the grounding aspect is that the victim needs to be standing on the ground (no pun intended) when it touches the wire.

      Anne (the 'e' is silent) the Armchair Ponder


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    8. #8
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      David,
      I have been battling otters for most of a month now. Electric wire will help but this is only a temporary deterrent. They will dig under or find a way to go over. They prefer goldfish because the are slower swimmers. They are very smart and are seldom caught in a live trap. Most states will only allow trapping in the fall and winter if at all. Be very discrete.
      Tom





    9. #9
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      Quote Originally Posted by BillJ View Post
      I was serious,David.Check out garden centers in your area or online.Badger urine is probably available.They are nasty critters.

      Bill
      How about having tha male humans consume some meat and 'water' around the pond themselves?!
      GloriaL
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    10. #10
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      My electric fence is successfully keeping otters out. I live right on the ocean and I know they have been in the yard - they leave plenty of tell-tale evidence!
      But you do have to have the animal standing on dirt ground when it touches the wire - not rock. I've tested it myself (had to be sure). Dirt or grass or low growing plants like woolly thyme, all give the shock.

      You could install the fence in a wider perimeter around your yard where the grass is, maybe, but you also have to be careful that no vegetation is touching the fence at any point. (Although I've noticed that I get a shock even when a leaf is laying on the wire . . . )

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    11. #11
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      I spoke with a fellow that works at Quality Koi up in NJ. He said they had recently had trouble with newly released otters. Dont think they had much of a solution as I recall.

    12. #12
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      The fence charger itself needs a good ground as well, but that is at the point of plug in. Small leaves and bits of grass over the wire won't render the fence useless, it just gives a lesser jolt... though it may not feel like it

      I would assume that these guys are persistent and will come at any time of day as long as nobody is home (got a big dog?) Is the yard fenced?

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