How to keep ducks out of the pool? Ducks are some of the most destructive pests. They will eat plants, destroy mulch, poop in the pool, and more.
Here are ten approaches to get rid of pesky waterfowl. Depending on your needs, you can choose one or many.
You might find that some suggestions work better than others depending on the duck population in your area (geese tend to be much more difficult to deter!) but implementing them all should lessen their presence in backyard oases.
The Problem With Ducks in the Swimming Pool
Ducks/goose droppings and feathers will stain and rot, and that will attract more ducks. They will damage plants, create a mess in your swimming pool or patio, and create an unsanitary environment for the swimmers.
In addition, waterfowl could pose a health threat. Ducks have been known to dive under the water and swim up to your toes! They can also injure swimmers.
Also, duck and goose poop is a health hazard to swimmers. E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Cryptosporidium (Crypto for short) are a few bacterias present in duck feces. While chlorine destroys most of these harmful contaminants, Crypto may live for up to a week in even the cleanest pools.
Additionally, ducks are at risk when swimming in the pool. Consuming chlorinated water permanently affects their kidneys, and they drink a lot of water when swimming.
How to Keep Ducks Out of the Pool
Most people keep the ducks out of their pool by making it inaccessible. Here are the most common ways to keep the ducks out of your pool:
1. Pool Out Inflatable Animal Toys When You’re Not Around
Wild ducks do not like to swim in waterways that are infected with predators. Keep some inflatable animal toys (alligators, killer whales, snakes, and dolphins) in the pool when you aren’t using them to frighten away ducks.
This approach, on the other hand, does not always work. Once the ducks realize that the floating object is not a genuine threat, they will just return.
2. Buy a Solar Cover
Pool owners use solar covers to prevent water evaporation and added solar radiation to increase the pool temperature by up to 15 degrees. You can buy pool covers in different sizes, so finding what’s best for your pool is easy.
Moreover, if you’re planning to buy one to ward off ducks, be sure to purchase one that fits your pool so ducklings don’t manage to swim in and get stuck underneath the cover.
Adding solar cover is a good pool warmer, prevents leaves and debris from sneaking into the pool, and at the same time, it’s an excellent way to prevent ducks from dipping in your pool yard and pooping in it.
3. Take Care of a Dog
Suppose the fake inflatable predators don’t keep the ducks out. Owning a dog can easily save ducks from getting into your pool. Dogs have been known to be one of the predators of ducks.
Just hearing your dog bark will have these wild ducks feeling out of your backyard. It’s quite a reactive method but it works well.
“Important: Barking at ducks to deter them from entering your pool is not a cause to own a dog. A dog (or any pet) demands a long-term commitment of love, care, and attention, as well as financial resources for food, toys, and medical care. Purchase a dog (or any other pet) only if you are willing to make all of those commitments to another living being deserving of the finest possible care.”
Matt Giovanisci, founder of Swim University®
4. Invest in an Automatic Pool Cleaner
If your dog is too sluggish to chase out ducks, you may always rely on a machine to do the task. You can easily spook ducks. An automated cleaning will keep the ducks out from your pool. Even the sound of a vacuum cleaner might be enough to scare them away.
5. Set Up a Fishing Line
A fishing line that has been crisscrossed can provide roof-like protection on your pool, helping to keep the ducks out from dipping on the pool water. This acts like a barrier that ducks cannot see. Once they hit or step on the lines, they will never do it again.
6. Purchase Duck off Chemicals
Although adding more chemicals might not be the safest option, Duck Off is both safe and effective to use. It is a substance manufactured by the Lo-Chlor firm that causes the surface tension of water to break, making it uncomfortable for ducks to swim through it. This can be their last resort for pool owners who don’t want to add more chemicals to their pools.
7. Install a Motion-Activated Sprinkler
When they detect movement around them, these sprinklers will release a stream of water. Because the rapid spray of water will catch the birds off guard, this is an excellent method of scaring them away.
8. Plant Tall Plants and Avoid Planting Fruit-Bearing Plants
Ducks stay out of tall plants because it enables them to see predators right away. So rather than planting short plants around your backyard pool, consider growing tall bushes. Additionally, avoid growing fruit-bearing plants such as berries and nuts, as the trees and bushes will offer food for the birds.
9. Put Away Anything That Attracts Birds
However, although bird feeders and flowers enhance the appearance of your yard, they are also likely to encourage birds to establish a permanent home in your backyard. Furthermore, by providing the ducks with a bird feeder, you simply give them another reason to come to your yard or garden.
10. Invest in an Ultrasonic Pest Repellant
If you’re dealing with animals other than ducks, it may be worthwhile to get a pest repellant. These low-cost devices generate a high-frequency sound that humans cannot detect but is hugely annoying to birds.
The sound effect is entirely safe for animals and serves just to startle the animal into the flight, preventing it from becoming too comfortable in your backyard oasis.
Bottom Line
Implementing some or all of the steps mentioned in this article will eventually help you to keep the ducks out of your pool. However, if you want to keep the ducks out of your yard permanently, it’s important to choose the option that will fit you best.
Suppose you’re looking for a long-term solution. You may want to consider automatic pool cleaners or ultrasonic pest repellers. But if it’s simply a short-term and frequent fix you want, duck off chemicals, and fake inflatable toys will be the best answer.
You can find articles about swimming pool safety and maintenance on our website. Here are a few to get you started.
