How Fish Pond Netting Can Protect Your Garden Feature

06/07/2022 Rob Walter

Fish pond netting is a type of netting that is placed over fish ponds to protect your fish from predators such as cats, herons and other animals

While you may think that your fish are safe in their pond, many predators can easily take them out. Good quality fish pond netting will keep your fish safe while also allowing you to see them.

If you have a fish pond, it is important to consider investing in some form of fish pond netting to protect your cherished garden feature!

When looking for fish pond netting, it is important to find a netting that is made from high-quality materials.

This will ensure that it lasts for a long time and does not need to be replaced frequently. It is also important to find pond netting that is easy to install and remove.

What is fish pond netting and what are its benefits

Simply put, fish pond netting is a type of net that you will use to cover your pond, whether it's a natural, asymmetrical wildlife pond or a shaped ornamental fish pond. 

The benefits of using fish pond netting are that you can protect both the creatures inside the pond from predators such as birds and cats, as well as protect the plant life from things like ducks, which keeps the water aerated.

How to install fish pond netting

There are several ways to install a fish pond net, depending on the style of netting you've chosen. Most nets will be affixed horizontally over the water's surface. You can do this by stapling or pinning it to the edge.

Some nets can form a dome or pyramid over the water and overall pond area, which tends to be a better defence against fish-eating birds with long beaks. This net can be secured with a metal frame 

Tips for using fish pond netting

There are a few things to think about when using fish pond netting to ensure that you're getting the most out of this useful material. Some people are hesitant to add netting to their pond, especially if it's an aesthetically pleasing pond area that has been designed with care. However, if done correctly, this netting won't impact the appeal of your pond.

Choosing The Right Netting

Your first important step here is picking the correct netting for your pond area. Certain nets are not only used to protect the pondlife from predators but can also keep the water free from leaves and debris.

Choose a net that has a hole size small enough to prevent any type of leaf in the area from getting into your pond. The size of netting you need will vary from others depending on this, as well as the types of pests you have to deal with.

Securing The Netting Correctly

Your netting needs to be fairly tense across your pond and should be measured correctly to ensure that it covers the whole water surface. 

You'll want to secure the netting as much as possible on each side. This will allow you to maintain good tension in the netting. You can secure the net down with tent pegs, for example, but be careful that the pegs don't puncture the pond lining.

Making Your Netting Look Nice

While you could just leave the edges of the netting exposed, it isn't going to look very attractive. Instead, you'll want to use some creative techniques to hide those edges and make things look much nicer. 

Use rocks, plants, gravel, and wood chippings to hide the edges of the net. Once you can only see the exposed netting over the water, it will be quite subtle, especially if you've chosen a darker, heavy-duty pond cover. Aesthetics are very important for a garden, and a badly designed pond can make a garden look very unsightly.

How To Secure Pond Netting

There are a number of different methods you can use to secure pond netting. First of all, you may need to cut the mesh to the correct shape of the pond. This will prevent you from having to deal with excessive netting over the area.

Once cut to the desired shape, use some heavy-duty tent pegs or ground stakes to secure the netting around the circumference of the pond. Don't forget to pull the netting as tight as you can so that the netting doesn't drape into the water.

Maintaining Your Pond Netting

Your pond net is going to require regular maintenance so you can get the best and longest possible usage out of it. First, you should ensure that you regularly clear leaves and twigs as well as other debris from the net, as this added weight can stretch the netting.

Similar to other products like insect netting, your pond netting can be damaged. You can remedy this minor damage by simply patching the net with some sturdy twine or even fishing wire.

Your stakes which hold the netting across your pond can slowly move in the ground, too, especially due to the tension in the net. 

If your net seems to be slacking, you can pull the stakes backwards and hammer them back into the ground to pick up that slack.

Final Thoughts

When you own a pond, it's a very smart idea to implement some form of netting over the area. This will allow you to maintain your pond much more easily instead of having to fish out leaves and debris regularly. 

It's also a great way to keep your pond wildlife, as well as any expensive fish you may have purchased, safe from roaming predators. Keeping your garden safe and in good condition is very important, and using a net for your pond is just as helpful as using a walk-in fruit cage to protect your crops too.

FAQs

Is it easy to put netting over a pond?

Yes, it is relatively easy to put netting over a pond. You will need to secure the netting around the perimeter of the pond so that it does not blow away.

Should pond netting be waterproof?

Pond netting does not have to be waterproof. It just needs to withstand the elements and protect your pond from debris and wildlife.

Can pond netting prevent a child from falling in?

Pond netting can help prevent a child from falling into a pond, but it is not 100% effective. It is always best to supervise children around ponds and water at all times.

Do pond nets prevent algae?

Pond nets will not prevent algae from growing in your pond, but they can help to keep it from getting out of control. Algae can be controlled with several methods, including chemicals, physical removal, and changing the pond's environment.