Keep Ducks Away: Protect Your Boat Dock

Ducks and geese can be a common problem for boat owners, leaving their droppings all over the place and creating a mess. Luckily, there are many solutions to this problem, and most of them are inexpensive and easy to implement. Here are some ways to keep ducks off your boat dock:

- Using a motion-activated water sprayer to spray the ducks with a quick blast of water when they land on the dock.

- Installing a floating alligator replica with hooks on the bottom to attach anchors and a line to make it appear as if it's moving.

- Stringing up pennants or reflective tape to create a barrier that ducks won't want to fly through.

- Placing a ceramic owl with a spinning head on the dock, or fake snakes and spiders, which birds are genetically wired to avoid.

- Applying a scented repellent or a bleach and water solution to the dock, which ducks will find unpleasant.

- Using a laser pointer or setting off fireworks to scare the ducks away.

Use a motion-activated water sprayer to deter ducks with a quick blast of water

A motion-activated water sprayer is an effective way to deter ducks from your boat dock. These devices are designed to detect pest animals day and night and shoot them with a quick blast of water when they enter the coverage zone. The combination of the sudden noise, movement, and water will startle and frighten the ducks away without causing them any harm.

To set up a motion-activated water sprayer, simply hook it up to your garden hose, plug in the battery, and point it over the area you want to protect. Most devices come with adjustable settings, allowing you to control the spray and distance patterns, as well as the sensitivity and water range. This ensures that you can customise the device to your specific needs and dock setup.

When choosing a motion-activated water sprayer, opt for one that is solar-powered and environmentally friendly. This will allow you to place it in shady areas without relying solely on rechargeable batteries. Additionally, look for a product that conserves water, using just a few cups of water per deterrence. This will help you save water and reduce waste.

Some motion-activated water sprayers also come with additional features, such as a scarecrow or decoy that moves or makes noise when the sprinkler is activated. This can add an extra layer of deterrence and make the device even more effective.

By installing a motion-activated water sprayer, you can effectively deter ducks from your boat dock without causing them any harm. This method is a humane and safe way to keep your dock duck-free and protect it from any mess or damage that ducks may cause.

Try a natural duck spray repellent to make the dock smell unpleasant for ducks

If you're looking for a natural way to keep ducks off your boat dock, a duck spray repellent could be a good option. These repellents are designed to make the dock smell unpleasant to ducks, encouraging them to seek out other places to hang out.

One option is to use a natural spray like Pest Away, which is made with essential oils and has a strong odour that ducks find off-putting. Mix 2 ounces of Pest Away per gallon of water, and you should be able to cover about 800 square feet with each mixed gallon. You'll need to reapply the treatment once a month or as needed.

You can also try making your own natural duck repellent spray using scents that ducks dislike, such as peppermint, lemon, vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, or chilli. For example, you can soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in bowls around the dock, being sure to replace them every few days. Or, mix lemon juice with water and spray it around the area. Just be sure to clean up any leftover lemon bits, as they can get stinky if left out for too long.

Another option is to use a natural product like King's Duck Solution, which is made from 100% natural herbs and spices that release pheromones ducks can't stand. This product is safe for humans, plants, and animals, and it will naturally break down over time without contaminating the water. Ducks typically vacate the area within 5-8 days of applying this solution, and they may even choose to leave for good.

Install a floating alligator head with hooks for anchors and a moving line

To install a floating alligator head with hooks for anchors and a moving line, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, purchase a suitable floating alligator head decoy. There are many options available on the market, such as the TJB-INC 22" Alligator Head Decoy or the Dalen Natural Enemy Scarecrow Floating Alligator Head. These products are designed to look like real alligators, with reflective eyes and life-like movements, and can be an effective way to deter ducks and other unwanted visitors from your boat dock.

Once you have purchased your chosen alligator head decoy, you can begin the installation process. If your decoy didn't come with hooks for anchors, you can attach small hooks or eyelets to the bottom of the decoy. This will allow you to secure it in place using anchors or weights. If you want the decoy to have a moving line, you can attach a thin nylon rope to the hooks and then connect it to the anchors or weights. This will allow the decoy to move around in the water with the wind or current while still being tethered in place.

When placing the anchors or weights, consider the depth of the water and the length of the rope or line you are using. You want to ensure that the alligator head decoy is floating at the right height and has enough room to move naturally. You may need to adjust the length of the rope or the position of the anchors to get the desired effect.

It is also recommended to periodically move the alligator decoy around your boat dock to create the illusion that it is a real alligator. This will make it more effective at deterring ducks and other birds.

By following these steps, you can install a floating alligator head with hooks for anchors and a moving line, creating an effective and lifelike deterrent for ducks and other unwanted visitors.

Strategically place wooden or plastic owls to deter ducks, but remember to move them regularly

Strategically placing wooden or plastic owls along your boat dock is a classic method of deterring ducks and other unwanted birds. Owls are natural predators of waterfowl, so ducks are likely to stay away for fear of becoming prey.

However, as ducks are intelligent creatures, they may eventually realise that the owl is not a real threat if it remains in the same position for too long. To prevent this, remember to move your wooden or plastic owl regularly. You could also opt for an owl decoy with a swivelling head and reflective eyes, which will make it appear more life-like and intimidating to ducks.

In addition to moving the owl regularly, you can also try combining it with other deterrence methods, such as installing a floating alligator head or motion-activated water sprayer, to maximise the chances of keeping ducks away from your boat dock.

String up pennants or iridescent tape to deter ducks with colour and movement

Dori Poles are highly visible, decorative, and colourful, and are one of the most effective ways to discourage birds from frequenting your lakeside property. The Dori Pole is a 19' pennant that is placed on a pole and relies on the wind to create a flowing, attention-grabbing motion. The shadow cast by the Dori Pole is what deters the birds from landing on your boat dock.

Another way to deter ducks is to string up pennants or iridescent tape to create movement and colour. This method can be achieved by making a series of masts out of 2 x 4 or PVC and spacing them around the edges of the boat dock. Then, string the pennants or iridescent tape from mast to mast. The constant motion and movement of colour will discourage birds from landing, and the string will also hinder take-off.

The key to this method is to ensure that there is a gentle wind of about three miles per hour to create the motion and movement of colour.

Frequently asked questions