How To Get Rid of Turtles

Turtles rank among the top of favorite pet lists – and it’s easy to see why. They’re cute, they’re quiet, and they’re relatively low maintenance. But what happens when you’ve discovered you have a pet turtle in your pond or water feature, and you never invited them over?

While turtles can add interest and charm to backyard ponds, an overpopulation of turtles can cause problems. They may prey on fish, disturb plant growth, and negatively impact water quality through waste. Certain species, like snapping turtles, can also pose safety concerns.

Let’s cover some solutions for identifying and managing turtle populations in ponds and water gardens. We’ll cover why turtles are initially attracted to these habitats, how to humanely reduce their numbers, and when professional removal may be required.

With the right approach, ponds can remain beautiful, balanced environments without surrendering them fully to our reptilian friends. Let’s explore some turtle deterrents and control measures to make your pond a paradise rather than a turletopia.

Turtles don’t just randomly appear in water. They often enter backyard ponds for the ideal habitat these water features provide. A well-cared-for pond supplies many of a turtle's key survival needs:

Food Source - Ponds sustain ample food supplies to sustain turtles, including insects, small fish, frogs, plants, and sometimes bread or pet food provided inadvertently by pond owners. The abundant resources attract turtles and allow populations to grow.

Water - Easy access to fresh water is critical for turtles to maintain hydration, temperature regulation, and general health. Manmade ponds provide a convenient water source.

Basking Areas - Many species, like painted turtles, require a dry basking area near water to thermoregulate through sun exposure. The banks, rocks, and logs around ponds offer perfect basking spots.

Shelter - Downed branches, rocks, cattails, and other natural elements around ponds provide effective shelter and hiding places for turtles.

Nesting Sites - The soft, loose soil of pond edges offers appealing nesting sites for females to lay eggs during breeding seasons. The sand bars and banks are often ideal.

Few Predators - With ample resources and protection, backyard ponds represent remarkably predator-free habitats for turtles to thrive. Larger wildlife struggles to access these closed ecosystems.

By fulfilling all components of the turtle habitat niche, manmade ponds present welcoming environments that may unintentionally get overrun by these hardy reptiles. Understanding what attracts turtles is key to discouraging their presence.

Before removing turtles, it's important to identify if they pose a problem in your pond. Not all turtles are unwelcome guests, and populations often self-regulate. Look for these signs of an overabundance requiring control measures:

• Declining Water Quality - Excess turtle waste can cause ammonia spikes and reduced oxygen, allowing algae blooms and bacteria growth that damage water quality and clarity.

• Loss of Vegetation - Foraging turtles may decimate aquatic plants faster than a pond can replenish, harming plants' oxygenation and shelter.

• Drop in Fish Stocks - Though most turtles won't pursue healthy adult fish, they may feed heavily on eggs and baby fish, which will have long-term impacts on the fish population.

• Turtle Overcrowding - More than 2-3 turtles per small pond represents overpopulation with a risk of stunted growth and the spread of illness among individuals competing for resources.

• Aggressive or Dangerous Species - Snapping turtles, though usually shy, can become combative over food and may attack pets or younger children if they feel threatened.

To gauge turtle types and numbers in your pond, observe from a distance initially. Study size, features, and behavior to identify species. Small basking platforms can also draw turtles temporarily out of hiding for easier observation before taking action. An accurate count will determine the next steps for control.

So, you’ve decided that you’re dealing with an overpopulation that requires reduction – how do you solve the issue? there are two main approaches: physically removing turtles or modifying the habitat to discourage them from setting up camp in your water.

• Trapping Turtles - Humane turtle traps available from pond supply stores or online can effectively capture turtles for relocation without harm. Bait traps with meat or fruit and check often.
• Tip: Place traps along banks or basking areas turtles frequent for best results.

• Catching by Hand - For ponds with clear water and few hiding spots, simply netting turtles by hand may be possible, though this takes more time and skill. Always support the plastron (underside) when lifting turtles.

• Hiring Professionals - Professional animal removal services may be the best option for large properties or ponds to trap and transport turtles to new habitats efficiently. Look for humane practices.

• Landscaping Barriers - Installing fences, steep banks, or thorny barrier plantings makes it harder for female turtles to access soft soils to lay eggs, discouraging future generations.

• Removing Cover and Basking Areas - Clearing fallen wood, brush, and rock piles around the pond eliminates popular basking and hiding spots.

• Managing Food Supply - Cutting off easy food access like windfall fruit or pet food deters long-term residence. Introducing predator fish may also help control small turtle species.

Once turtle populations are under control, there are a few options to help keep their numbers in check long-term:

1. Physical Barriers - Installing pond fences around the perimeter of a pond using hardware cloth sunk into the ground can prevent access from neighboring habitats. The mesh should be small enough to block hatchlings.

1. Predator Fish - Introducing predator fish species like largemouth bass (where permitted) can help control turtle populations through a natural food chain balance similar to their native habitats.

1. Population Monitoring - Keeping a log of turtles spotted and removed each year allows adjustments if populations threaten to rebound. Markings on the shell help track individuals.

1. Habitat Diversity - Ensuring the pond environment offers food, shelter, and beneficial features for many types of wildlife keeps predators around and discourages turtle domination.

When managing turtle populations, it's important to adhere to ethical practices and laws protecting wildlife:

Traps and handling methods should minimize stress. Turtles removed must be relocated to habitats with adequate food, water, shelter, and space to support them.

Regulations on turtle capture and release vary by state. Consult guidelines for the number allowed, permit needs, suitable relocation sites, and mandatory reporting on rare protected species.

Proper identification is essential to prevent the removal of rare and protected turtle species that provide biodiversity benefits. Never relocate native species outside of their natural range, and always look for signs of illness or injury before handling.

Turtles often lay their eggs on land, so it's important to be aware of potential nesting sites and avoid disturbing them. If you do come across a nest, carefully mark the area and leave it undisturbed until the eggs hatch.

Turtles likely do not have an innate fear of any colors. Visual cues play a limited role in how turtles perceive threats in their environment. Habitat factors, rather than color deterrent, are more effective.

Turtles have a poor sense of smell. Scent deterrents or attractants have minimal impact on turtle behavior and movement. There is little evidence that particular smells will lure or repel them.

Many turtles are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants. Some species will opportunistically eat insects, snails, tadpoles, or baby fish if easily available. Healthy adult fish are generally safe from predation, but their eggs may be consumed.

Aquatic turtles can spend hours basking out of water but do require regular access for hydration, feeding, and other functions. Forced isolation on dry land risks injury, illness, and death for all but the most terrestrial species, like box turtles.

Effective DIY turtle traps can be made by propping open-topped trash cans along banks, with ramps or bait leading turtles to drop inside, unable to escape. More complex traps have one-way entrances underwater and bait secured inside. Some traps float, allowing easy relocation after capture.

Achieving the ideal balanced pond ecosystem often means limiting turtle residents. By understanding why turtles infiltrate ponds and how to discourage their presence humanely, pond owners can effectively regulate populations when they pose environmental, recreational, or safety concerns.

Above all, approach turtle control with compassion. Wildlife removal companies and passionate herpetology groups stand ready to assist while ensuring turtle conservation.

Through education and conscientious action, your backyard pond can thrive for all inhabitants, from fish to frogs, plants to people, and yes, even a turtle or two. The key is balance!

For more information on creating a balanced backyard pond habitat, explore Living Water Aeration’s selection of products for filtration, circulation, natural treatments, and more online. Our specialists can provide recommendations tailored to your unique wildlife management needs.