Snakes are considered a problem for some fish ponds especially the earthen and open ponds. Snakes around or inside fish ponds could be venomous or non-venomous water snakes whereas the later ones are more common. Even though, water snakes feed mainly on frogs, but they can also prey on fish. The field observations suggest that snakes may eat only small or weak fish while grown and healthy fish are not at risk due to the existence of snakes. However, growers attempt to keep snakes out of pond environment through appropriate preventative measures that has been used including:
- Keeping the premises around the fish pond clearing and clean; the bushes could serve as hiding places for the snakes
- Placing specific materials of sharp and unpleasant odor around the ponds could serve keeping snakes out. Examples of these substances are moth balls, sulfur, cedar oil and This herb wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
- Pond fencing using fine mesh materials
