Pond removal and pond dweller relocation

hure_huffer_nyum

I recently bought a house with a paved garden and a raised brick wall pond. 

I would quite like to rip it all out and lay a lawn so my baby son can play without us worrying too much about scrapped knees and pond drownings. 

The previous owner was obviously very fond of the wildlife in his garden and had placed logs all around for frogs and other critters to hibernate. I on the other hand, am not so keen. I don't by any means hate pond creatures and I don't want to cause them any harm but I am fairly creeped out by them. I am shocked at the sheer number of frogs that have rocked up recently. I know this is because it is mating season and they will soon be off again but I expect a large number of them live under the logs in the garden. 

I have started to clear these logs away in the hopes that the frogs will take the hint and find new shady hiding places to live the rest of thier days and I can go out into the garden without shuddering everytime I see something green move. Do you think this will work? I know that they would return every spring to mate but I assume that would stop after a few years?

I also think I'll wait until the autumn to empty the pond and let this year's tadpoles mature but what should I do with the fish that I think are there? 

If anyone has any advice/or similar experiences I'd love to read it. I know I'm evil by not wanting to keep the pond and cherish nature but I don't want my son to be afraid of the critters like I am and me screaming everytime I hear a rib-bit isn't likely to endear the lad to them. 

Johnny Crosby

I I filled in my pond the autumn before last. It was only small, maybe 9 x 5 ft, so  I half drained it so the fish had fewer places to hide, netted them ( mainly goldfish size and two 9inch carp) and put them into large builders buckets. About a week before, I had advertised on the local Nextdoor Neighborhood website, and someone was happy to take them the same day they were netted. ( I only saw 2 bemused frogs the following spring, who soon disappeared to pastures new.)  I would suggest advertising locally via the internet - there will be lots of people who will happily offer a new home to your fish.

Posy

I think you need to do this in stages. The tadpoles in the pond need to grow up and escape so make sure that you do not remove their means of leaving and places to shelter while they do. In the meantime, net the pond to ensure that your youngster cannot fall in. As above, you may well be able to give the fish away.
HOWEVER, a pond is the most fantastic thing for teaching yourself and your children about the natural world and just for having fun. I think you should use the spring and summer to desensitise yourself - nothing there can harm you - and gradually learn to look at and get close to these wonderful creatures. You don't have to touch them. You don't say how old your son is; he will love watching spawn turn into wiggly tadpoles, then legs emerging, any time from two years old. He will enjoy the whirling beetles and shimmering dragon flies. He will later be able to do pond dipping and examine lots of creepy crawlies. Taking a torch out at night will reveal another element of wildlife.
If you shudder every time you see a wild animal, you are missing out hugely. Get a grip for both your sakes and learn how endlessly fascinating it is.

Forester_Pete

I would have to concur with the second half of Posey's message. Ponds are fabulous environments for children and bigger kids to explore. My daughter and niece have spent hours staring, watching, dipping and generally marvelling at the harmless and beautiful creatures within. I will not say there is no risk as there is and it depends very much on the design but a pond and it's creatures are so worth it.

Ceres

Whilst I agree that it is a great pity to get rid of a pond that could be a source of joy to a young child, not everyone is happy around amphibians and a lot of people would never countenance a spider collection or agree to have pet rats. So let the tadpoles grow into frogs and escape the pond before you do anything to demolish it. It is better to have a garden in which you are happy than an area you avoid like the plague because of the creatures lurking in the undergrowth. Maybe you could help other creatures instead and ensure there are enough flowers for all the insects.