Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help What to do about leaches?

Is there anything I can do to get rid of leaches? I'm not real certain I have them, but I was told someone saw them and I have seen sores on some of my BG.

This is not a recommendation, but, I invited the local kids over for a swim, then had a couple of workers wadding around repairing the banks and in two or three days all had been caught.

The kids hollered a little at first.

My came from some water plants that were put in the pond several days before the kids went swimming.

They may be attracted to the heat?

But, Google "leech traps", they didn't work for me but they might for you.

Rad you're rad!

And your solution was enviromentally green too!

I guess it depends on what kind of leeches you have. As kids, we sometimes would do what Rad suggested. There is a swampy area next to one our family's lake cabins. We would put on sneakers and wade around in the muck for several minutes and then come out and pick off the leeches so we could go fishing. The really don't hurt, and in that short amount of time they don't really get a good grip. If they do, put some salt on them, and they will immediately shrivel up.

The second thing we used was a big can with some rocks for weight and some fish heads - like bluegills, or else small dead bluegills. A big bean can, a coffee can, whatever. Crush the top of the can almost shut so the leeches can get it, but the fish heads can't float out. Set it in a marshy area overnight where the leeches like to hang out. Retrieve the can early in the morning. If you've got leeches, you should have a bunch of them in the can.

Good luck,
Ken

Leeches have medicinal purposes too!