There are a lot of aspects to consider when it comes to maintaining a pond, and keeping your pond fish happy and healthy should be one of your top priorities.
One of the top concerns with fish is keeping them safe from predators, and one of the most common predators of pond fish are large birds, like herons. Herons will happily wade through your pond every day if they think they’ll get some fish out of the deal, so creating an environment that isn’t welcoming to herons is a great way to keep your fish safe. These reviews cover the best options for heron deterrents to keep your fish safe and your pond heron-free.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  |  | Orbit Yard Enforcer | Check Price | |
Best Value  |  | AlpineReach Koi Pond Netting Kit | Check Price | |
Premium Choice  |  | EasyPro Pond Cover Protective Net Tent | Check Price | |
 | Flambeau Outdoors Lone Coyote Decoy | Check Price | ||
 | PROpondNET Koi Pond Netting Cover | Check Price |
The 8 Best Heron Deterrents for Fish Ponds
1. Orbit Yard Enforcer – Best Overall
| Blocks Pond Access | No |
| Requires Additional Connections | Yes |
| Price | $$ |
The best overall heron deterrent for ponds is the Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer, which is effective and affordable. This product is a motion-activated sprinkler system that can be set to activate under certain situations, including daytime only, nighttime only, and 24 hours. It features intelligent sensing technology that keeps it from activating when trees blow or other non-animal movements occur. It runs on four AA batteries, which will get you around 7,500 activations, and uses less than 2 cups of water every time it activates.
You will need to have a nearby faucet and a garden hose to connect to this product. It’s recommended that you invest in a y-splitter to allow you access to the spicket without disconnecting the Yard Enforcer.
- Motion-activated
- Has different activation settings
- Intelligent sensing technology
- 7,500 activations with every battery change
- Only uses 2 cups of water per activation
- Needs a nearby faucet and garden hose
- Works best with a y-splitter
2. AlpineReach Koi Pond Netting Kit – Best Value
| Blocks Pond Access | Yes |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $ |
The best heron deterrent for ponds for the money is the AlpineReach Koi Pond Netting Kit. This kit includes 300 square feet of dense 3/8-inch netting and 14 reusable plastic stakes. This netting covers the surface of the pond, blocking access to herons. Pond netting is also a great option for keeping cats and other predators out of ponds, and it can also keep leaves and other debris out of the pond. This netting is sturdy enough to stand up to years of protecting your pond.
Pond netting may impact your view of the pond, making it less attractive. Also, some people find performing cleaning and maintenance of the pond difficult due to having to remove some of the netting to access the water.
- Includes 300 square feet of netting
- Plastic stakes are reusable
- Blocks access for herons and other predators
- Keeps debris out of the pond
- Made to last for years
- Decreases visibility of pond
- Cleaning and maintenance require netting to be partially removed
3. EasyPro Pond Cover Protective Net Tent – Premium Choice
| Blocks Pond Access | Yes |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $$$$ |
The EasyPro PCT1014 Pond Cover Protective Net Tent is a premium product pick that is built to last. Made from 3/8-inch UV resistant nylon, this net tent measures 10′ x 14′. The kit includes netting, a 12-inch band around with tie loops around the bottom of the netting, fiberglass poles, stakes, and a storage bag. This tent is a great way to protect your pond from herons and debris, and it can easily be removed for pond cleaning and maintenance.
This tent does detract from the appearance of the pond since it covers the complete surface of the pond. Although quite effective, it isn’t the prettiest heron deterrent, and it does come at a premium price.
- Netting made with sturdy, UV resistant nylon
- 10′ x 1′ of pond coverage
- Includes everything need to use and store the tent
- Effective against herons and debris
- Can easily be removed for pond cleaning and maintenance
- May detract from the pond’s appearance
- Premium price
4. Flambeau Outdoors Lone Howler Coyote Decoy
| Blocks Pond Access | No |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $$ |
The Flambeau Outdoors Lone Howler Coyote Decoy is a great heron deterrent if you’re looking for something that doesn’t impact your pond at all. This life-sized coyote decoy is designed to look like an adult coyote, including a faux fur tail and wire backbone and flexible ears that allow for positioning options. The flexible backbone also allows for some movement in the wind, creating a living appearance. Fully assembled, this decoy measures 3″ x 9″ x 25″.
Using this decoy does require you to have a large, fake coyote in your yard, which may not be the best option for everyone. Some people find decoys aren’t effective against all herons, so this isn’t a guaranteed fix for your heron problem.
- Doesn’t block pond access or alter appearance
- Realistic appearance
- Life-sized coyote decoy
- Posable ears and body
- Large decoy to keep in your yard
- May not be effective against some herons
5. PROpondNET Koi Pond Netting Cover
| Blocks Pond Access | Yes |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $ |
The PROpondNET Koi Pond Netting Cover is another sturdy pond netting option to keep herons out of your pond. This netting is available in 7’x 10′, 14′ x 20′, and 28′ x 30′. It’s made from UV-resistant nylon netting that is made to not tangle or tear. It prevents access to your pond’s surface, keeping herons and debris out of it. Sturdy, reusable stakes are included to make installation easy.
Like other pond netting, this netting blocks the surface of your pond, detracting from its appearance. It also may make cleaning and maintenance more time consuming.
- Available in three sizes
- Made from UV-resistant nylon
- Resists tangles and tears
- Keeps heron and debris out of your pond
- Detracts from appearance of pond
- Makes cleaning and maintenance more time consuming
6. Geniff Floating Alligator Head
| Blocks Pond Access | No |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $ |
The Geniff Floating Alligator Head is another good decoy option to keep heron out of your pond. This decoy measures 13.8″ x 3.7″ x 2.6″ and is made to look like an alligator’s head. It floats in the pond, creating the appearance of an alligator stalking prey in the water. It’s made from high-quality resin with a protective coating that prevents any leaching of paint or other chemicals into the water. The head can be anchored or allowed to freely float.
Using this decoy does mean that you’ll have an alligator head floating around your pond. Many people find that, when allowed to float, this head gets pulled into pond skimmers. Over time, the paint does often begin to peel or rub off.
- Creates the illusion of a predator in the pond
- High-quality resin
- Won’t leach paint or chemicals into the water
- Can be anchored or allowed to float
- Floats in the pond
- May get pulled into pond skimmers
- Paint may peel or rub off
7. Monarchy Solutions Premium Metal Bird Deterrent Discs
| Blocks Pond Access | No |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $ |
The Monarchy Solutions Premium Metal Bird Deterrent Discs are metallic discs that hang in a row and can be attached to a tree, pole, or other raised surface. This is a set of 16 hanging disc sets that can scare heron off with both movement and metallic reflection. These are harmless to animals and won’t alter the appearance of your pond. Each kit includes 16 discs, eight hooks, eight rotational pieces that allow for movement, and 24 connecting rings.
This product comes unassembled, so you’ll have to assemble all the pieces when you receive it. If you don’t have trees or other raised surfaces around your pond, you’ll have to install something to hang these discs from. If they are in a shaded area that doesn’t catch the light, then they may not create reflections or noticeable movement to scare heron away.
- Set of 16 metallic discs
- Harmless to animals
- Won’t alter your pond’s appearance
- Kit includes everything needed to create eight hanging sets
- Comes unassembled
- Requires a raised surface to hang from
- Must be in an area where it will catch light
8. Bird Barrier Daddi Long Legs Spider Bird Repellent Device
| Blocks Pond Access | No |
| Requires Additional Connections | No |
| Price | $$ |
The Bird Barrier Daddi Long Legs Spider Bird Repellent Device is a metallic item with wiggly “arms” jutting out from it, creating a starburst shape when viewed from above. This is safe for animals and scares heron away by creating unpredictable movements that startle them. It has a 6-foot diameter and can be installed on just about any surface. Although unusual in appearance, it’s made to be inconspicuous.
This product does require a surface to be mounted to and may be noticeable around small ponds or in smaller yards. If mounted too far from your pond or in an area where it is well hidden, this will not work against heron. It will work best if installed in or right by your pond.
- Safe for animals
- 6-foot diameter
- Can be installed on just about any surface
- Inconspicuous in larger areas
- Requires mounting surface
- May be noticeable
- Won’t work if mounted too far from the pond
- Needs to be installed in the immediate pond area
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Heron Deterrent for Your Fish Pond
What Makes a Good Heron Deterrent?
Deterring heron can be achieved in multiple ways. Finding a deterrent that is safe for wildlife and your pond animals is the best option for heron deterrents. This makes decoys and reflective devices effective. Any type of device that creates sudden noise, light, or reflection is a good option to startle heron. Netting and other items that block the surface of the pond mean that herons can’t enter the pond and wade while looking for food. They will want to find another area to hunt if they can’t enter the water.
How to Choose the Best Heron Deterrent for Your Pond
Appearance
Choosing a deterrent that maintains your preferred pond appearance is the best starting point. A netting tent or decoy aren’t going to be the top choice for everyone, so find something that you feel will meet the aesthetic of your pond area.
Pond Size
If your pond is a small backyard pond, then you can likely get away with a smaller deterrent option, like pond netting and metallic discs. However, if your pond is 1/8th of an acre, then pond netting and other small options aren’t going to be a good pick for you. In the case of a large pond, decoys, sprinklers, and reflectors are all good options and can be used in conjunction with each other.
Ease of Access
Some people prefer pond netting for its efficacy, but it does block quick access to the pond for cleaning and maintenance. If ease of access to your pond and maximum visibility are your goals, then you’ll want to choose something that won’t obstruct the surface of the pond. This makes decoys and hanging metallic objects a good starting point.
Additional Equipment
Most types of heron deterrents don’t require additional equipment that isn’t included with the purchase. However, sprinklers and electronic devices will require other items to function properly, like a garden hose, y-connector, batteries, and extension cord.
Conclusion
Did these reviews help you find something that will work to deter heron in your pond? The best overall option is the Orbit Yard Enforcer, which will spray water to startle heron away. If you’re on a tight budget, though, then the AlpineReach Koi Pond Netting Kit is a great option that will allow you to protect the surface of your pond at a great value. The top premium product to deter heron is the EasyPro Pond Cover Protective Net Tent, which combines pond netting with easy access to your pond if needed.
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