Last Updated on April 19, 2017
Whether you area lounger who prefers to sit quietly by the pool sipping iced beverages or a more active pool owner who looks forward to a refreshing dip to start the day, keeping the pool in good condition is vital to your safety and enjoyment. Sometimes that means taking measures to prevent local wildlife from entering your pool.
Ducks and Geese
“Make Way for Ducklings” is an adorable children’s book, but when these tiny quackers take up residence in your pool, they suddenly lose their appeal. Not only do they disturb the peace they leave behind icky droppings that contaminate the water in your pool. The best way to handle wayward ducks is to make your pool uninviting.
Bird-X provides 3D coyote products in order to keep ducks out of your pool. This life-like coyote features a movable tail to enhance the illusion that it is a real threat. When ducks see this menacing predator near your pool, they move on to another location.
Similar to ducks, geese may see out your pool as a place for a leisurely swim. Although beautiful, they leave behind slimy droppings that contaminate the pool and cover your deck. Use the same methods for controlling geese as you do for ducks.
Reptiles and Amphibians
From the tiny frog hopping by to visit your pool to giant alligators who think they have found a private hunting ground, reptiles and amphibians invariably show up in the pool. These creatures contaminate the pool with droppings and may contain bacteria or viruses that are harmful to humans. Other than a physical barrier to keep them out, the best method of control is to catch and release them at a distance from your pool.
Raccoons
Raccoons seek sources of water for both swimming and drinking, or to wash that tasty tidbit rescued from your garbage before sitting down to dine. Unfortunately, they also leave behind droppings and a host of germs that soon infest your pool. The best way to prevent raccoons from visiting your pool is to removes all sources of food in the area. This means tightly covering trashcans and teaching kids to dispose of wrappers and half-eaten snacks in the trash. Once the raccoon leaves you have nothing to offer, he will move on in search of food.
Bats
Bats fly by night and often swoop in to investigate your pool. Although they don’t mean to cause damage, while they are happily devouring insects, they also leave behind droppings and urine. Both can contaminate the water in your pool, and create a stinky mess around the edges. Because they decaying fecal matter and urine can produce organisms that are pathogenics to humans, as well as attract a host of undesirable creatures, keeping the area around you pool bat-free is desired. Try eliminating lights that attract insects by night to deter bats from visiting your pool.
Large Mammals
Large mammals, such as deer, bear and moose, pose more of a danger when you pool is covered that when it is in use. They sometimes see the covered pool as a quick means of escape and attempt to dart across the surface, often crashing through or damaging the cover. They may also pose a threat during warm weather as they plunge into the water in an attempt to drink or out of a desire to go for a swim. When this happens, large mammals may damage the sides or bottom of the pool in a mad attempt to escape the pool.
Many homeowners prefer to prevent damage to the pool and injury to wildlife by creating a physical barrier with fencing. Mesh fencing prevents small animals from entering the pool, while a six-foot fence effectively prevents large mammals from getting close enough to cause damage to your pool.
