Animal Control Problems
Although wildlife is often a welcome guest in ponds, they can also be an annoyance and often times destructive. Knowing what kinds of wildlife to keep away from your pond can benefit its health and prevent unwanted costs in the future. People are often unaware that problems encountered in their pond are indeed attributed to the wildlife that lives in them.
Canada Goose
An attractive bird, but very harmful to the health of a pond. These “fertilizer factories” may cause severe algae blooms and in turn can affect the amount of oxygen available for fish. There are many scare tactics that can be used to deter the geese from your pond (legal in Ohio).
OSU Extension Fact Sheet
Coping with Canada Geese
http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/pdf/0003.pdf
Beaver
The beaver is a great pond builder when in the right situation. However, pond owners should avoid letting beavers into their ponds. They are known to try and plug spillways that are difficult to remove, preventing overflow from functioning properly. Not to mention the amount of damage done to the surrounding trees.
Muskrat
This rodent is very destructive to the bank stabilization of the pond. Burrowing into the banks can cause erosion and settling problems. When they burrow into the dam, they can cause leaks and complete dam failure may occur. Muskrats feed mainly on tubers of aquatic vegetation, especially cattails. Management of shoreline vegetation will help discourage muskrat habitation.
Groundhog
Much like a muskrat, groundhogs can cause great damage by burrowing into a pond, especially the dam. A dam should be mowed at least twice a year and woody vegetation should be removed. A major concern is when a muskrat and ground hog burrow too close together from opposite sides of the dam.
ODNR Division of Water Fact Sheet
Dam Safety: Rodent Control
http://www.ohiodnr.com/water/pubs/fs_div/fctsht27/tabid/4113/Default.aspx