Ducks and other birds are a menace in your swimming pool. Do not encourage them.
What’s so bad about ducks in your swimming pool?
They are very cute and it is oh so tempting to feed them and encourage them to stay. Think about it though, they are not just swimming in your pool but doing their ‘business’ in your pool also.
Duck droppings can contain germs such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter or Cryptosporidium. Most germs are killed by chlorine within minutes in a well-maintained pool, however, Cryptosporidium has a tough outer shell and can survive for days even in a properly chlorinated pool.
What to do if you find bird droppings in your pool
- Close the pool to swimmers
- Remove the droppings using a net or bucket – do not vacuum the droppings from the pool
- Shock dose the pool using Lite
- Wait a minimum of 1 hour before opening the pool again
How to keep the ducks away
No More Ducks is a handy product that reduces the surface tension of the water so ducks find it harder to float on the pool water surface. It is not harmful to ducks or humans and you can swim in the pool whilst using it. No More Ducks can be used in all types of pool finishes and is compatible with all recognised sanitisers and other pool additives. Add to the pool monthly while ducks are around. Other ways to keep ducks and birds away from your pool:
- Never feed the ducks, this encourages them to return
- Keep a cover on your pool during spring and early summer
- Use an automatic pool cleaner or robot running in the pool – ducks are easily frightened
- Keep a few inflatable pool toys on the pool (think predatory animals like a crocodile, orca, snake, dolphin etc)
- Let your dog keep watch over the pool – ducks hate dogs and dogs generally like to bark and chase ducks
- Using a weight to keep them in place, put a couple of duck decoys on your pool. To other ducks it will look as though your pool is already spoken for
If you need any further help with your pool, please contact us.
