Raccoon-Proofing Your Koi Pond: Humane Deterrents

Family of 6 Raccoons Visiting Nightly

Two koi missing; raccoons seen at 4 AM. Need humane exclusion.

Effective Deterrents (Ranked)

1. Eliminate shallow shelves—raccoons won't swim deep.
2. Steep, vertical edges—no wading entry points.
3. Motion-activated sprinkler ("Scarecrow")—startles with water blast.
4. Pond netting—tight, frame-supported, 100% exclusion.
5. Abundant fish refuges—PVC pipes, caves, dense plants.
6. Sacrificial feeder fish—rosy reds to distract.
7. Feeding station away from pond—controversial; may attract more.
8. Hot pepper/peanut butter baits—aversive conditioning.
9. Electric fence (low voltage)—last resort.
10. Live trap & relocate—check local laws; often illegal.

Pro Tip

Netting is the only 100% solution. Combine with steep edges and sprinkler for best results.