Nuisance Wildlife in Stormwater Ponds

South Carolina's surface waters are home to a great diversity of wild animals. Many of these animals are considered desirable and even have become icons of the beauty of South Carolina's wetlands. In fact, the opportunity to see animals such as herons, egrets, frogs, fish, turtles, alligators, beavers and otters on a regular basis plays a significant role in why many residents choose to call South Carolina home. The vitality of wetlands is alluring.

Stormwater ponds, although highly engineered and very different from South Carolina's natural waterways, do attract a number of wild animals. Some of the wild visitors to stormwater ponds are considered by homeowners to be desirable, while others are thought of as nuisances. This webpage addresses some of the common "pest" animals in order to provide control recommendations but also to dispel many of the misconceptions made about the pond's wild inhabitants.