How to Keep Critters Out of Your Pool
How to Keep Animals Out of Your Pool
Nothing ruins a relaxing pool day quite like discovering critters trying to make a home in your pool. Frogs, insects, mice, raccoons, and more can all hole up around your pool and stay for the season. Left unchecked, you could even end up with a dead animal in your pool! Thankfully, you can take some steps to keep critters away from your backyard paradise. Here are a few tips to discourage pests.
1. Start With Physical Barriers
Your first line of defense is setting up a few physical barriers. These are usually the most effective long-term solutions for keeping a critter-free pool. Start with the following:
- Pool Covers—A quality pool cover keeps animals from accessing the water and prevents excess debris. A mesh cover is good for keeping larger animals out while still allowing rainwater to pass through, but smaller creatures might still find their way inside.
- Fencing—Install a fence around your pool or backyard to keep large animals away from your pool entirely. This is especially useful if you have a raccoon problem. For smaller critters, you might need fencing with tighter mesh or additional ground-level barriers.
2. Install Pool Alarms and Motion Sensors
A physical barrier might be all you need to keep animals out of your pool. But if you’re still concerned, try installing pool alarms and motion sensors, too. Modern systems can detect even small critters, and motion-activated lights or sprinklers can deter animals without harming them.
3. Implement Some Natural Deterrents
Some plants act as natural deterrents, keeping frogs out of the pool (as well as other animals). Strong-scented herbs like lavender, rosemary, and mint discourage insects and small mammals. Marigolds repel many flying insects, while citrus plants deter cats and some rodents. In the same vein, avoid adding plants to your landscape that attract the critters you’d rather deter. For example, flowering plants can attract frogs, and fruit trees might catch the attention of larger animals.
4. Change Up Your Landscape Design
Your landscape could be making your property more attractive to all kinds of unwanted critters! If this might be the case for you, try creating buffer zones between natural areas and your pool. Remove brush piles, tall grass, and dense vegetation near the pool area. A decorative barrier can work well here—instead of putting grass right next to the open water, use raised planters or intricate tilework to separate the areas.
5. Try Pest Control Traps
If a specific pest has gotten out of hand, it might be time to lay down some traps around the pool area. Insects and rodents in particular can be deterred with traps, especially if they’re placed near food sources. If you take this approach, consider working with a pest control company. The experts will help ensure you aren’t contaminating any plants or pool water.
6. Keep Up With Pool Maintenance
Regular pool maintenance is one of the best ways to keep mice out of pools. A clean pool makes for an environment that is much less attractive to pests of all kinds. Here are just a few specifics to keep in mind:
- Balance Your Chemicals—The proper chemical levels make pool water less attractive to animals seeking a cool drink. Most animals prefer fresh water over chemically treated water, so consistent chlorination encourages them to seek alternatives.
- Skim and Clean Often—Every day or so, skim the water to remove insects and debris that might attract scavenger animals. Pay special attention to leaves and other organic matter, as these can decompose and bring in even more critters.
- Clean Pool Equipment—Pool pumps, filters, and heating equipment create warm, dark spaces that appeal to small animals seeking shelter. Talk to your local pool experts about regular cleaning and inspection to prevent animals from establishing nests.
Enjoy Your Pool This Summer, Critter-Free
Keeping a critter-free pool doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. With the right tools and strategies in mind, you can enjoy a clean pool without pests all summer long. If critters are an ongoing issue at your property and you need some help with maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact Deep Blue Pools and Spas. We specialize in all kinds of pool upkeep. Contact us today to learn more.