If you have a pool in your backyard, then you will know that a lot of time and effort goes into keeping it clean. Not only do you have to keep the pool clean of bacteria and germs, you also have to protect it from insects and other creatures.
But, one type of animal that you might not have expected you would have to protect it from is ducks.
When you have a pool installed, or you buy a home with a pool, the last thing you expect to be a threat to it is ducks. Yet, anyone who owns a backyard pool will tell you that these creatures can be a real nuisance.
Not only is it frustrating to find ducks in your pool when you want to use it, but it is also very dangerous, as ducks carry diseases and bacteria that us humans aren’t usually exposed to.
However, keeping ducks out of your pool isn’t as easy as it might seem. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to keep ducks out of your pool.
Why Do Ducks Land In My Pool?
Before we take a look at how to keep ducks out of your pool, let’s take a look at why ducks choose to land in your pool. There is, of course, an obvious answer to this, and that is that ducks love water.
They are waterfowl, and so they primarily reside in water, this makes your pool a massive attraction to ducks because it is essentially a man made pond.
So, if a flock of ducks is flying past your home, and they spot your swimming pool, they might make a beeline for it.
Ducks find comfort in water, and so it is logical that they might choose your pool as a stop gap on their journey. Another major reason why ducks might be likely to land in your pool is because it is clear water.
From up above, the ducks will be able to recognize that there are no threats in your pool, and so they will know that it is a safe place to stop.
So, a duck might choose to stop in your pool because it is a safe and comfortable place for them to eat and rest, before setting off on their journey once more.
Is It Bad To Have Ducks In Your Pool?
If you are not afraid of birds, then when you first notice ducks in your pool, you might not see the harm in it.
After all, they are just ducks, right? Well, like we said earlier, ducks can actually be pretty harmful to humans, so yes, it is bad to have ducks in your pool.
After all, ducks are wild animals, and because of this they are carriers of germs and bacteria that human beings usually wouldn’t be exposed to.
Ducks also carry diseases, and them landing in your pool could cause you to become unwell.
A lone duck in your pool would not be as much of an issue, but ducks usually fly in flocks. Due to this, you are much more likely to end up with lots of ducks in your pool, rather than a single duck.
So, not only will these ducks be a nuisance, they will also spread germs, and potentially spread diseases such as e.coli, salmonella, and bird flu.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to keep ducks out of your pool.
How To Keep Ducks Out Of Your Pool
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to keep ducks out of your pool.
So, to find out some great ways to keep these birds out of your pool, keep on reading.
Use A Solar Cover
This option has two benefits, it keeps ducks out of your pool, and it makes your pool hotter.
Solar covers are quite expensive, but they are guaranteed to prevent ducks from landing in your pool. They will also stop debris and dirt from entering your pool, too.
Buy An Automatic Pool Cleaner
Ducks are cautious animals, and they are generally very easily scared. If they notice an automatic pool cleaner in your pool, they will not land in the water.
This option also has the added benefit of cleaning your pool at the same time.
Use Duck Off
The thought of adding additional chemicals to your pool can be off-putting, but this is guaranteed to work.
Duck off is perfectly safe to use, and it will not harm the ducks that land in your pool.
This product simply breaks the surface tension of the water, making it uncomfortable for ducks, and ensuring they will not land in it.
Invest In Animal Pool Toys
Ducks will spot the water in your pool from very high up in the air, and they are usually attracted to it because the water is clear, and obviously safe.
If you invest in some large animal pool toys, then the ducks will spot these in the water, and this will deter them from landing in your pool.
Get A Dog
If fake predators fail, then you can also use your dog to scare ducks away from your pool. Ducks are very easily scared, and dogs are a predator to ducks.
So, if a duck lands in your pool, and then spots your dog barking at them, they will fly away, and won’t return to your pool again.
Sprinkler System
While ducks love water, they don’t like surprises. So, if you have an automatic sprinkler system on your lawn, this is another great way to scare ducks away.
Remove Bird Attractions
Finally, you can deter ducks from landing in your garden by removing anything that might attract birds. This includes bird feeders and flowers.
Without these, ducks will not be attracted to your garden, so they will be more likely to stay away.
Summary
In short, in this guide, we have taken a look at why ducks land in your pool, why this is a bad thing, and how to prevent this from happening.
So, to find out how to keep ducks out of your pool, check out the guide above.
