Pond raid & raider

[kyari]

Thanks for all of your input on the PP tx everyone. Tx is done and all the fish are doing great.
Now I have to address the other problem I have had with the inherited pond since we moved in. I have been pond raided. I know my "raider" is either a heron, a raccoon, or maybe a neighborhood cat. I know cats are sledom the bad guys, does not mean ever, there are alot of outdoor cars just on my street.
I am netting the pond from dusk until dawn, or from like 6 PM to 10 AM next morning. I just put in the Koi decoys I got on line, the teathered ones, supposedly they make a noise when the heron tries to get it, real loud, They are those life like (as best they can), they are at pond-O- Rama I think. So far so good.
I was wondering anything else you guys did that worked. I can't really put an electric fence around it right now, maybe in a couple months. Do you think the netting of the pond and the added Koi decoys, will keep working? So far so good. I know I will get raided again, although I hope not, but it is bound to happen, to all of us I am gathering.
Anything that you guys did that worked. I don't think it's snakes, The pond is not in an area of the yard where snakes would be and not by any woods. It think it's a bird, probably heron, raccoon or maybe a real aggressive, hunting cat. Hopefully the netting and the added Koi decoys, will keep working!
As always, any insight would be great.
Thanks again,
Carrie

[jnorth]

Well if they just dissappear and there are no koi guts or scales around then it is most likely a heron. Raccons are very messy and leave all sorts of koi guts around. Best defense for a heron is a 6' deep pond with no plant shelves. If you don't have that then try to keep covered and be on the lookout for that bird.