How can I prevent my pond pump from killing frogs?

Question

I think they try to sleep in the area where the pump rests and get sucked in. I really like frogs, and if I have to tug one more mangled body out of the pump I'm going to be sick. Also, they clog the pump.

Is there some kind of protective cage I can buy or make to put over it that will let smaller debris through, but keep the froggies out? I've looked and looked in catalogs, but can't find anything, and I can't imagine I'm the only person with this problem.

Answer 1

My suggestion is buy a tiny bit of chicken wire at the hardware store. Use a zip tie to secure it around the pump. Helps get rid of larger debris but will keep froggies out.

Answer 2

put a screen around the pump

Answer 3

You can buy screen at most hardware stores and home centers. (The kind to fix window screens.) Get a sheet of it and wrap it around the pump.

Answer 4

You can make your own protective cage.  

Home Depot, or your local building supply store, should sell a material called "expanded metal screening."  Depending on the size of your pump, you can either get a full sheet of this, (I think it's 4'x8') or you can purchase smaller strips designed to cover gutters, known as "gutter guard."  Ask the person for either product by name and they should be able to help you out.

You'll need a pair of metal snips to cut the material.

A simple cage is easily made with zip ties.  Since the metal is galvanized, you shouldn't have any problem with rust.  The one product is designed for gutters, after all.  That should keep leaves, frogs, and other small stuff from being sucked into the pump.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Buy a screen or mess.  They come in different sized squares and materials that you can cut with scissors and tape/glues to the opening in the filter.

Answer 6

they make nice plastic baskets for you to put your plants into in the pond and I used two of them with a hole cut for the tubing to encase my pump..... I laced them together with copper wire, but I like the idea of the zip ties better now....

my friend put her pump in a large bucket with a lid of screening....and holes cut in the bucket sides for the tubing.....and a rock to hold it under.....

poor little mangled froggies.... you're good people!!