If you have an outdoor swimming pool, you know that critters of all kinds occasionally find their way into the water, making it dirty and unsanitary. The animals that most commonly end up in residential pools include frogs, snakes, ducks, geese, mice, rabbits, and squirrels. Those who live in Florida may even encounter alligators in their pools, while rural homeowners might find deer and stray animals who have taken a swim.
Unfortunately, many of these animals drown because they are unable to get out again.
Try these strategies to keep unwanted visitors from spending time in your swimming pool this summer.
Install Fences and Barriers
If you don’t already have a safety fence around your pool, take this critical security step to keep wildlife, pets, and unattended children out of the water. If you are concerned about birds and small animals finding their way into the pool, you can add more protection with a pool cover or enclosure.
Scamper Ramps to Help Critters Escape
These small plastic ramps affix to the side of your pool to provide an escape route for unlucky animals who aren’t able to get out of the water once they have entered. Many pet owners purchase them for their dogs, but you can also find versions designed for frogs and other small animals.
Integrated Pool Safety Features
If you’re building or renovating a pool, consider features that keep animals out, such as an automatic pool cover, or steps and ramps that make it easy for creatures to exit the water if they get stuck.
Decoys for Distraction
Some homeowners successfully scare critters away from their pools with realistic-looking decoys. Choose natural predators for the creatures that often visit your pool, such as owls and alligators.
In addition to these strategies, you can also take steps to make your pool less attractive to animals. Remove food from around the pool area, including bird feeders that might draw mice and squirrels. Trim tree branches around the pool so that intrepid climbers are no longer able to access the water. Thinking about the swimming pool from the animal’s perspective gives you insight on how to make it less appealing for the wildlife around your home.
Once you’ve gotten your pool to be critter-free, keep it clean with regular pool maintenance. At Blue Chip Pool Service, our goal is to keep your pool looking clean, safe, and beautiful. We have over ten years giving South Florida residents high-quality pool services. Contact us at (561) 907-4862 for your free pool cleaning.
