
Most man-made backyard ponds are designed and built with the intention of keeping fish and plants, not ducks. Even their filtration systems are not designed to keep up with ducks in the long run (or should I say short run) of a few weeks. So what do we do when a pair of local ducks decides to make our pond their home? I wholeheartedly say to enjoy it for a short time, show them to the neighborhood kids, take lots of photos for the memories and then discourage the ducks from staying.
Cons to having Ducks
- Ducks tend to enjoy aquatic plants as not only a food source, but also for bored entertainment and can very quickly destroy the water garden that we have invested so much time and money on. Lilies will quickly get shredded , submerged plants uprooted, marginal plants trampled.
- Smaller fish and invertebrates can become sources of protein for the backyard duck. What a snack!
- Ducks spend a lot of time out of the water too and will impact the surrounding area and landscape. From trampling on and tearing up your favorite garden flower to pooping on your deck and patio, ducks get into everything.
- Ducklings--One or two ducks can quickly become 12 ducks!
- Water Quality--where there are wildlife, waste contribution is too! Is your filtration system up to par?
Ducklings

The primary reason they are at your pond is to call your pond home, too---somewhere safe to establish a nest. Ducks often get a bit territorial when nesting and they may even exhibit aggression when they feel threatened by people coming by the pond at that point.
First you start with two ducks and you blink and find a dozen ducks before you know it! Imagine the repercussions that many ducks could have on your waterfeature when considering the above issues.
But for the fish pond that most of us install, a duck or more can have a more dramatic impact on our pond than just the aggressive side shown to your favorite dog or 3 year old.
How? You ask?
Ducks poop, too!
Filtration System
Excess waste nutrients not only fertilize algae growth but it also leads to spiked levels in your pond, such as ammonia--which is absolutely toxic for fish. Our water here at Dreamscapes went crystal clear to more of a muddy color within a week and was next to impossible to keep up with without dumping extra water treatments in on a daily basis.
So What Now?
For more information on your backyard watergarden's maintenance, please contact us directly!
Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August. If you think you need it, we have it!
Retail Hours: April 5th-October 27th 2018:
Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm
October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT
Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]
Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,