How can we live harmoniously with garter snakes but keep them out?

Maybe a 1 foot screen fencing around the pond would stop them and maybe they will move on to elsewhere. I do not know of snake repellent sprays, but you could check on google, etc. Maybe there is something natural like mint oils or something. Good luck, just know you don't have mice as they eat them also

We have had this problem, too. But our snakes are rat snakes and we have koi. Don't know the size of your fish or garter snakes but we've used bird net around the edges of the pond and the predatory snake will get caught in it. I've had some die on me before I found them, but for the rest, I can grab them with a gloved hand and snip them free of the net - then take them FAR away to eat mice or something other than my fish. Just lay out the net, stake it down so it won't slip away and check for your predatory snakes on a regular basis.

Are you sure it's snakes? Wildlife such as weasels, raccoons and birds are also problematic for koi ponds.

Try a realistic floating alligator head, such as a Gator Guard. This device is carefully manufactured to resemble a real alligator, a natural predator of many birds and animals in the wild. it's eyes appear to follow birds and animals as they approach or circle your pond and the markings have been realistic enough to fool neighbors.

Another good strategy to help fish elude predators is to add structures to the pond, enabling the fish to hide in and around the structures. Kind of like an artificial reef. Some good options are black barrels with large holes cut in them, water lilies in pots or Koi Kastles®. Providing structures does not necessarily save your fish from future predation, but it does give them a better chance to elude the predators. Structures also give the fish something to which they can orient themselves, which is calming for the fish. For these reasons it is healthier for the fish to have structures in the pond, so add some structure even if predation is not a problem at the moment.

Caging your fish in your pond is also a good option. Set the cage up in early fall. Locate as large a cage as possible in the deepest part of the pond and use netting with at least 1" x 1" mesh.

See if you don't find this informative:

http://www.lilypons.com/product/898/109

Ask someone from the Humane Society, for if you are in a area that is normal for snakes, then it is to be expected. I really believe that you can walk around the pond, and wish for protection. I can't say other words, on this program, but I trust you can understand. Can't you? Be blessed, J.

I love the alligator! Don't know if my inland, California mountain critters would recognize an alligator, but the neighbor kids would...I just installed a small pond and am still thinking about fish. These are great ideas.