Pond leaf scoop in Exeter
Professional pond leaf scoop services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Autumn leaves scooped out of your pond before they sink and rot. Keeps water clear, fish healthy, and saves you hours with a pond net.
Leaves + Ponds = Problems
Every autumn, trees drop leaves. Some of those land in your pond. Once they sink and start rotting, you've got problems: depleted oxygen, ammonia release, thick sludge, murky water, and potentially dead fish come spring.
Much easier to scoop them out while they're still floating.
Takes me 30-45 minutes, saves you from a disgusting pond-cleaning job in spring, and keeps your fish healthy over winter.
💡 Pro tip: If you've got koi or expensive fish, keeping leaves out is essential. They're much more sensitive to poor water quality than goldfish. A weekly scoop through autumn is cheap insurance for valuable fish.
Why Autumn Leaves Are Pond Killers
| What Happens | The Problem |
|---|---|
| Leaves float | Look messy, but not harmful yet |
| Leaves sink | Now they're hard to remove |
| Leaves rot | Releases ammonia and uses oxygen |
| Sludge forms | Thick layer on bottom, terrible for fish |
| Spring arrives | Murky water, sick fish, huge cleanup job |
Or: Scoop leaves out weekly through autumn, problem avoided.
What Gets Scooped
🍂 Typical Pond Leaf Cleanup
| Pond Size | Typical Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small pond (up to 2m) | 30 mins | £60 |
| Medium pond (2-4m) | 45 mins | £60 |
| Large pond or very leafy | 1+ hrs | £60+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Very leafy ponds or long-neglected ones might need longer.
It's Not Just Surface Leaves
I'll scoop:
- Floating leaves (easy ones)
- Just-submerged leaves (still whole)
- Debris around pond edges
- Leaves trapped in plants
Won't scoop:
- Leaves already turned to sludge (that's a pond clean job, much bigger)
- Stuff that's been there for months (integrated into bottom now)
Perfect For Your Pond If...
✅ Autumn leaf-fall happening - keep on top of it weekly
✅ Trees overhanging pond - you get heavy leaf coverage
✅ You've got fish - especially koi or other sensitive species
✅ You don't have a pond net - manual scooping keeps it clear
Why Choose Us for Pond leaf scoop in Exeter?
All floating and submerged leaves removed
Water quality improved for fish
Prevents sludge buildup over winter
Quick job that saves hours of work
What to Expect
Step 1: Scoop Floating Leaves
I'll use a pond net to skim all the floating leaves off the surface. This is the easy bit - get them before they sink.
Step 2: Get Submerged Ones
Leaves that have just sunk are still whole and scoop-able. I'll work around the edges and between plants to get as many as practical without disturbing the pond too much.
Step 3: Edge Cleanup
Clear any leaves trapped around marginal plants or caught in the pond edge. These are the ones that get missed but still rot into the water.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to keep your pond leaf-free yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Equipment needed
- Pond net (large mesh, long handle)
- Bucket for collecting leaves
- Patience and a dry day
🍂 Effective pond leaf scooping
Best practice:
- Scoop little and often - 10 mins weekly beats 2 hours once a month
- Do it when dry - wet leaves clump and are heavier
- Skim surface first - before they sink
- Work systematically - don't just chase obvious leaves, work edge to edge
- Check between plants - leaves hide in marginal growth
Timing matters:
- Early morning (before wind redistributes leaves)
- After a windy night (they'll have accumulated in one corner)
- Weekly through October and November (peak leaf-fall)
⚠️ Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving it until spring (they'll be sludge by then)
- Using a net that's too fine (clogs immediately)
- Disturbing the bottom mud (makes water murky for days)
- Scooping too deep (you'll catch fish and plants)
💡 Pro trick: If your pond is under trees, consider installing a pond net for October-November. I can fit one for you (see pond-net-on service). You'll still need to clear leaves off the net, but it's easier than scooping them out of the water. Remove the net in winter so you can enjoy seeing your pond again.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐟 Fish welfare: In a well-balanced pond with good oxygenation, a few leaves won't kill fish. But in a small pond with lots of fish, especially koi, leaf-fall can be deadly. Don't gamble with expensive fish - keep the pond clear.
Prevention vs cleanup: A properly fitted pond net (October-November) catches leaves before they hit the water. Needs clearing regularly but saves pond scooping. I can fit one - see my pond netting service.
Regular maintenance? If you want your pond scooped weekly through autumn, I can set up a regular visit. Much cheaper than one huge cleanup in spring when it's turned to sludge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do leaves need removing from ponds?
Leaves sink, rot, and turn into sludge that releases harmful gases and nutrients. In a sealed pond (especially with fish), this depletes oxygen and can make fish ill or kill them over winter. Better to scoop them out while they're still whole than deal with sludge in spring.
How often does this need doing?
In autumn when leaves are falling - usually October/November in Devon. If you've got trees overhanging the pond you might need it weekly during peak leaf-fall. Otherwise a good scoop every couple of weeks through autumn keeps on top of it.
Can't I just net the pond instead?
Netting stops leaves getting in, yes - but you need to clear the net regularly or it sags into the water. Some people prefer netting, others prefer occasional scooping. I can help with either approach. See my pond netting service if you want a net fitted.
Will you damage my pond plants?
I'm careful around plants and fish. The scoop catches leaves, not plants. Occasionally a small floater might get caught but it's minimal disturbance. Much better than leaving leaves to rot and poison the water.
What do you do with the scooped leaves?
Usually chuck them on a border or into garden waste - they're just wet leaves. If you've got a compost heap I can add them there, though they're slow to rot. Let them drain for a week then compost them with other material.
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