Pond invaders!

[Naoimh]

Hello folks! I'm new to here, and just want to ask a question. This visitor to my pond is the third this summer and I'm wondering if he's friend or foe?! I suspect the latter and have escorted him from the premises! The last one I saw had a baby (I think!) and left it clinging to my oldest goldfish but luckily I spotted it straight away and removed it from his skin gently. Any advice gratefully received. Thank you!

 

[MoonShadows]

Looks like a leech to me, but I don't know how you get rid of them. Some of the more experienced members will come along and offer help. Nice to have you with us!

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our group! It does look like a leech to me also.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I don't see that he would cause an issue for you or your fish.
Oh, and welcome!
I'm new too.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Yep....a leech. Most exist by dining on dead foliage and plant debris, there are a few varieties of bloodsuckers that will attach themselves to a host and feed until they are full, then drop off. Leeches are usually eaten by larger fish so are not often a problem in a pond that is relatively clean and houses some fully grown fish.

There is a method of removing them that supposedly is fairly successful. It is as follows-
"Set a leech trap. Punch leech-size holes in a coffee or aluminum can, bait it with raw chicken and position it in a shallow area of your pond. When the worms go for the grub, they can get in – but not out. The burrs from the whole punch will prevent them from escaping. Remove the can once it’s full and repeat until the leeches are gone".

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! I was going to suggest something similar to what @Meyer Jordan mentioned, but the part about the metal (from the can) trapping the leech is new and interesting!

 

[Gemma]

Hello and welcome to GP!

 

[Naoimh]

Thank you for the welcomes and advice, guys! There are 3 fish smaller than the leech so removal is safest! The can method at this time would catch the little fish too unfortunately. I'll bear that in mind for future!

 

[Angel]

Thank you for the welcomes and advice, guys! There are 3 fish smaller than the leech so removal is safest! The can method at this time would catch the little fish too unfortunately. I'll bear that in mind for future!

Take lid off and carefully dump small fish back in the pond

 

[IPA]

I found a few in the bucket I used to wash the pump for my lily fountain. i remembered this post but not before a bit of effort to dislodge them and dump in the yard. Wish I had put them back in now. Don't know how they got there, probably when I stored some cattails and iris in the fountain.

 

[Nyboy]

I am having a big problem with slugs. I don't mind a few holes in leaves, but they are eating whole plant. I put out bowls of beer 1st night I had 53 drowned slugs . Hope we don't have leeches here, ticks are enough of blood suckers to watch for.