How to keep ducks off my raft??

Alton Bay · 05-07-2010, 06:19 AM

I have a wonderful swim raft that seems to get covered every summer with droppings from visiting ducks. Has anyone ever used anything or have any tricks to keep them off the raft? I have grandkids who are old enough to use it now and it can get pretty disgusting. Help!!

lawn psycho · 05-07-2010, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alton Bay

I have a wonderful swim raft that seems to get covered every summer with droppings from visiting ducks. Has anyone ever used anything or have any tricks to keep them off the raft? I have grandkids who are old enough to use it now and it can get pretty disgusting. Help!!

Station a fox on board the raft

ApS · 05-07-2010, 06:47 AM

A raft near me has a rubber Iguana on it—about 2-feet long. No ducks or duck droppings sighted on it...yet.

Bear Islander · 05-07-2010, 07:40 AM

We have used a plastic bobble head owl on our dock. To be effective you must move the owl every couple of days. But on a swim raft that probably isn't necessary as the raft will move and spin. The movement of the raft will also keep the bobble head moving. The plastic owl is very light. You have to put rocks in the bottom for stability.

The best way to keep ducks away is to NEVER feed them. Do those grandkids feed them a little bread now and then? If so, even a real owl would have trouble getting them to leave.

If ducks are spending a lot of time on your raft they have a food source near by.

Smith Point · 05-07-2010, 07:52 AM

The first thing that came to mind was to break out the shotgun! Duck for dinner any one?

Pineedles · 05-07-2010, 08:01 AM

Because you won't be able to completely prevent ducks from getting on the raft, try attaching an old metal bucket (so it sinks) to a rope and then to the ladder for the raft. Now when you need to wash the deck the bucket is available 24-7.

Rattlesnake Gal · 05-07-2010, 08:24 AM

A Gull Sweep should work. Maybe it could be installed with some sort of a quick dismount feature for unrestricted use of the raft while you're there.

We've trained Mac to chase the ducks away. Maybe you need a dog too?

A WhirlyBird Repeller may be of interest also.

Help with seagulls and swim rafts! Thread

LIforrelaxin · 05-07-2010, 08:31 AM

Bear Islander has exactly the right advice, A bobble head owl. I have seen this used many places around the lake. Bear Islander is the first person I have ever heard mention needing to move it around some. However as he mentions I would think the general motion of the raft would be enough. Sometimes even just a flag on the raft will help too.

But the biggest thing is to remove any possible food sources. As other have mentioned. Talk to your neighbors if they are feeding them etc. This is what attracts them to an area and causes them to stay there.

Now the last thought here is that your in one of the areas of the lake that is protect and doesn't see a lot of action. If this is the case the ducks are attracted do to the shelter of the cove or lee side of an island provides. In which case my suggestion is consistently scare them away. You have to make them feel unwelcome..... no along those lines.... get a dog like a spaniel or retriever... that will give chase.... The ducks will find a new relaxing spot....

The previous owner of my camp was actually featured in the news because of his habits of feeding the ducks when they passed the law to make it illegal. Once they passed the law, and Fish and Game gave him a strong verbal warning he stopped. Now As my aunt and uncle had the camp right next door we dealt with the mass gather of ducks every morning. Once the feeding stopped. And given the presence of our dogs... Including my Springer, who had a tasty snack one afternoon while we where out on the boat.... the ducks disbanded, and after about a month, the gathering was in the mornings was about 1/4 of the size. And by the next year it was not a problem any longer.

Now just a disclaimer here... The Springer had her tasty snack with out our approval. She was tied up in the yard. And a brave duck wondered up into the yard. Somehow she got it. We where not around, and wouldn't have let this happen. Now on the other hand... it is nature at its best.

Grady223 · 05-07-2010, 08:37 AM

We mount one of those mobile decorations on the raft, a plane with a propeller that spins, the plane turns into the wind. Haven't had a problem since. Before that we had a similar flying loon, whose wings spun - also worked. I screwed a mounting post to the side of the raft, so it does get in the way when we use the raft. If they do get up, they get off in a hurry when the propeller starts turning.

RI Swamp Yankee · 05-07-2010, 11:44 AM

Maybe one of those pesky squirrels would help.
.

murph · 05-07-2010, 12:04 PM

Put some cheetos on your neighbors swim raft. that outta keep them off yours.

NoBozo · 05-07-2010, 02:22 PM

I am Shocked and distressed with all this talk about how we can Deprive our feathered friends, of a place to rest their weary legs after paddling around hour after hour looking for a bite to eat... in this bad economy yet. Shocked.

I'll bet this discussion would not even be taking place if the birds in question were our Magnificent Loons.

It's a shame there has to be such a pecking order, or superiority allotted to one creature over another.

NOW: If these perpetrators were Pigeons.. well that's another story.

NB

Sal · 05-07-2010, 05:40 PM

One should be able to generate electricity with that thing. Dual purpose.

Airedale1 · 05-07-2010, 06:13 PM

A real Cormorant and a fake Owl. The Cormorant was not impressed.

I do agree with Bear Islander though. A bobble head Owl that you move around every once in awhile, should do the trick.

Rattlesnake Guy · 05-07-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murph

Put some cheetos on your neighbors swim raft. that outta keep them off yours.

When I was a kid, bug zappers were quite popular. My dad actually offered to buy one for the neighbor to attract all the bugs to his yard. It took the neighbor 2 days to figure out the motive and decline.

Alton Bay · 05-07-2010, 06:47 PM

Between the militant squirrel idea and throwing Cheetos on the neighbors raft, I have some new options to consider. Thanks everyone :-)

Mr. V · 05-07-2010, 06:54 PM

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

NoBozo · 05-07-2010, 06:56 PM

Another Option.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwuV0RGpnjA

NB

ApS · 05-07-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airedale1

"...A real Cormorant and a fake Owl. The Cormorant was not impressed..."

That's because there's only one plastic owl.

To keep bird numbers down on your dock, always use two owls, and place them so that they face one another.

Formula · 05-08-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alton Bay

I have a wonderful swim raft that seems to get covered every summer with droppings from visiting ducks. Has anyone ever used anything or have any tricks to keep them off the raft? I have grandkids who are old enough to use it now and it can get pretty disgusting. Help!!

AB you can try this site for ideas. I have used their products for commerical applacations with city birds (pigeons).

http://www.bird-x.com/page.html?chapter=0&id=14

Good Luck

Alton Bay · 05-08-2010, 04:35 PM

I called Bart at Parafunalia and he mentioned he sells something like this.

http://www.birdbusters.com/pigeon_co...ent_boats.html

I may give it a try as I'm nervous about spray and stuff that might leech in to the lake...

05-07-2010, 06:19 AM	#1
Alton Bay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 73 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	How to keep ducks off my raft?? I have a wonderful swim raft that seems to get covered every summer with droppings from visiting ducks. Has anyone ever used anything or have any tricks to keep them off the raft? I have grandkids who are old enough to use it now and it can get pretty disgusting. Help!!

05-07-2010, 06:47 AM	#3
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,788 Thanks: 2,085 Thanked 742 Times in 532 Posts	Big Lizard, anyway A raft near me has a rubber Iguana on it—about 2-feet long. No ducks or duck droppings sighted on it...yet.

05-07-2010, 08:24 AM	#7
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Duck! A Gull Sweep should work. Maybe it could be installed with some sort of a quick dismount feature for unrestricted use of the raft while you're there. We've trained Mac to chase the ducks away. Maybe you need a dog too? A WhirlyBird Repeller may be of interest also. Help with seagulls and swim rafts! Thread

05-07-2010, 08:31 AM	#8
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, not that one, the one on Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,827 Thanks: 1,017 Thanked 882 Times in 516 Posts	Bear Islander has exactly the right advice, A bobble head owl. I have seen this used many places around the lake. Bear Islander is the first person I have ever heard mention needing to move it around some. However as he mentions I would think the general motion of the raft would be enough. Sometimes even just a flag on the raft will help too. But the biggest thing is to remove any possible food sources. As other have mentioned. Talk to your neighbors if they are feeding them etc. This is what attracts them to an area and causes them to stay there. Now the last thought here is that your in one of the areas of the lake that is protect and doesn't see a lot of action. If this is the case the ducks are attracted do to the shelter of the cove or lee side of an island provides. In which case my suggestion is consistently scare them away. You have to make them feel unwelcome..... no along those lines.... get a dog like a spaniel or retriever... that will give chase.... The ducks will find a new relaxing spot.... The previous owner of my camp was actually featured in the news because of his habits of feeding the ducks when they passed the law to make it illegal. Once they passed the law, and Fish and Game gave him a strong verbal warning he stopped. Now As my aunt and uncle had the camp right next door we dealt with the mass gather of ducks every morning. Once the feeding stopped. And given the presence of our dogs... Including my Springer, who had a tasty snack one afternoon while we where out on the boat.... the ducks disbanded, and after about a month, the gathering was in the mornings was about 1/4 of the size. And by the next year it was not a problem any longer. Now just a disclaimer here... The Springer had her tasty snack with out our approval. She was tied up in the yard. And a brave duck wondered up into the yard. Somehow she got it. We where not around, and wouldn't have let this happen. Now on the other hand... it is nature at its best. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

05-07-2010, 11:44 AM	#10
RI Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Kingstown RI Posts: 688 Thanks: 143 Thanked 83 Times in 55 Posts	Maybe one of those pesky squirrels would help. . Attached Images __________________ Gene ~ aka "another RI Swamp Yankee"

05-07-2010, 07:40 AM	#4
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,757 Thanks: 31 Thanked 429 Times in 203 Posts	We have used a plastic bobble head owl on our dock. To be effective you must move the owl every couple of days. But on a swim raft that probably isn't necessary as the raft will move and spin. The movement of the raft will also keep the bobble head moving. The plastic owl is very light. You have to put rocks in the bottom for stability. The best way to keep ducks away is to NEVER feed them. Do those grandkids feed them a little bread now and then? If so, even a real owl would have trouble getting them to leave. If ducks are spending a lot of time on your raft they have a food source near by.

05-07-2010, 07:52 AM	#5
Smith Point Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Smith Point/ Bangor ME Posts: 193 Thanks: 196 Thanked 35 Times in 18 Posts	The first thing that came to mind was to break out the shotgun! Duck for dinner any one?

05-07-2010, 08:01 AM	#6
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,059 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	Because you won't be able to completely prevent ducks from getting on the raft, try attaching an old metal bucket (so it sinks) to a rope and then to the ladder for the raft. Now when you need to wash the deck the bucket is available 24-7.

The Following User Says Thank You to Pineedles For This Useful Post:
meredith weekender (05-07-2010)

05-07-2010, 08:37 AM	#9
Grady223 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hope, PA & Barndoor Island Posts: 464 Thanks: 93 Thanked 24 Times in 18 Posts	We mount one of those mobile decorations on the raft, a plane with a propeller that spins, the plane turns into the wind. Haven't had a problem since. Before that we had a similar flying loon, whose wings spun - also worked. I screwed a mounting post to the side of the raft, so it does get in the way when we use the raft. If they do get up, they get off in a hurry when the propeller starts turning.

05-07-2010, 12:04 PM	#11
murph Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Westford/Meredith Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Put some cheetos on your neighbors swim raft. that outta keep them off yours.

05-07-2010, 02:22 PM	#12
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	Ducks I am Shocked and distressed with all this talk about how we can Deprive our feathered friends, of a place to rest their weary legs after paddling around hour after hour looking for a bite to eat... in this bad economy yet. Shocked. I'll bet this discussion would not even be taking place if the birds in question were our Magnificent Loons. It's a shame there has to be such a pecking order, or superiority allotted to one creature over another. NOW: If these perpetrators were Pigeons.. well that's another story. NB

05-07-2010, 05:40 PM	#13
Sal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 311 Thanks: 103 Thanked 169 Times in 53 Posts	Whirly Bird repeller One should be able to generate electricity with that thing. Dual purpose.

05-07-2010, 06:13 PM	#14
Airedale1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laconia Posts: 595 Thanks: 557 Thanked 1,569 Times in 274 Posts	A real Cormorant and a fake Owl. The Cormorant was not impressed. I do agree with Bear Islander though. A bobble head Owl that you move around every once in awhile, should do the trick. __________________ "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson (1865-1943)

05-07-2010, 06:47 PM	#16
Alton Bay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 73 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	Between the militant squirrel idea and throwing Cheetos on the neighbors raft, I have some new options to consider. Thanks everyone :-)

05-07-2010, 06:54 PM	#17
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,326 Thanks: 61 Thanked 235 Times in 159 Posts	Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Attached Images

05-07-2010, 06:56 PM	#18
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	Self Protection Against DUCKS Another Option.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwuV0RGpnjA NB

05-08-2010, 04:35 PM	#21
Alton Bay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 73 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	I called Bart at Parafunalia and he mentioned he sells something like this. http://www.birdbusters.com/pigeon_co...ent_boats.html I may give it a try as I'm nervous about spray and stuff that might leech in to the lake...