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Misty Blue · 07-05-2006, 11:25 AM

Hi PI! Hope that you are enjoying the new place.

There are many theories and methods to combat this situation. Here are a few:

The attack and destroy method:
Have you ever seen or used a potato cannon? They are fun to make and even more fun to operate! They will throw a potato 75 yards and make a cool sound too!
And it is something too see. Launch an Idaho spud into a gaggle of mallards and watch the feathers fly! Unfortunately this action disturbs the neighbors, can get you a heafty fine and really only exasporates the guano situation.

The mechanical method:
There are noise makers (usually on a timer) available to scare them away. However If you and your neighbors are up here for peace and QUIET, this may not be the option of choice. Again scared birds only add to the guano.

There are rotating "whirllygigs" that spin by wind power and do the trick but they have all of the charm of a cellphone tower. Again maybe not an option.

The hydro method:
On the mainland behind Rattlesnake Island one clever raft owner has set up a spray nozzel that I assume is powered from the shore that sprays water on the raft. 'Sure seems to work but when you want to use the raft it will be wet. And there is always the possibility that you will be inundated with "dirty ducks" looking for the cure!

The elevation method:
This is what I use. I have noticed that when the lake is high and my dock is near water level the ducks like to rest their flippers on my dock. When the lake is low they seem to stay off. I assume because the leap is not worth the effort. My neighbors raft is low. Built on styrofoam blocks it is just inches above the water and Daffy just loves to sun himself on it. Often leaving his gift of "Daffy DO-DO. My raft is built on plastic drums and is at least 24 inches above the water. While you need a ladder to get up to it, it is fun to dive off of and the ducks seem to pass us up for lower elevations.

I hope that these suggestions enlighten and brighten your day.

Misty Blue.

07-05-2006, 11:25 AM	#2
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Ducks rafting! Hi PI! Hope that you are enjoying the new place. There are many theories and methods to combat this situation. Here are a few: The attack and destroy method: Have you ever seen or used a potato cannon? They are fun to make and even more fun to operate! They will throw a potato 75 yards and make a cool sound too! And it is something too see. Launch an Idaho spud into a gaggle of mallards and watch the feathers fly! Unfortunately this action disturbs the neighbors, can get you a heafty fine and really only exasporates the guano situation. The mechanical method: There are noise makers (usually on a timer) available to scare them away. However If you and your neighbors are up here for peace and QUIET, this may not be the option of choice. Again scared birds only add to the guano. There are rotating "whirllygigs" that spin by wind power and do the trick but they have all of the charm of a cellphone tower. Again maybe not an option. The hydro method: On the mainland behind Rattlesnake Island one clever raft owner has set up a spray nozzel that I assume is powered from the shore that sprays water on the raft. 'Sure seems to work but when you want to use the raft it will be wet. And there is always the possibility that you will be inundated with "dirty ducks" looking for the cure! The elevation method: This is what I use. I have noticed that when the lake is high and my dock is near water level the ducks like to rest their flippers on my dock. When the lake is low they seem to stay off. I assume because the leap is not worth the effort. My neighbors raft is low. Built on styrofoam blocks it is just inches above the water and Daffy just loves to sun himself on it. Often leaving his gift of "Daffy DO-DO. My raft is built on plastic drums and is at least 24 inches above the water. While you need a ladder to get up to it, it is fun to dive off of and the ducks seem to pass us up for lower elevations. I hope that these suggestions enlighten and brighten your day. Misty Blue.