Ducks, Ducklings (and other wildlife) In The Pool

Ducks In The Pool

How To Get Them To Leave

• There are several things you can try. Float beach balls, animal floats or mylar balloons in the pool. The wind should keep them moving and their unpredictable movements will be unnerving to the ducks.
• Make note of their preferred visiting hours and borrow a neighbor’s dog during that time for a few days in a row. The presence of a potential predator is an effective deterent.
• Owl or hawk statues will work, but it is best to use motion-activated ones or move stationary ones to different locations around the pool.
• One trick that works is to use a remote control boat. Anytime they arrive, it can be used to chase them from the pool from a distance. Tying balloons and long mylar tape to the tail of the boat increases its effectiveness.

If Ducklings Or Other Wildlife Are Trapped In The Pool

• If ducklings get trapped in a pool, the quickest method to get them all safely out and back with mom is to build them a small ramp to help them over the edge. It is imperative that this be done as quickly as possibly because the ducklings can not go without food too long and will soon get weak and cold. All filtration systems should be turned off until the ducklings are safely out of the pool.
  • The easiest ramp to build is made from a piece of styrofoam and a towel. Use a very large bath towel and the lid of a styrofoam cooler (available at most convenience stores). Wet the towel (to increase its weight) then float the styrofoam lid at the edge of the pool and drape half of the wet towel over the styrofoam lid. The other half of the towel should be draped over the edge of the pool. It can be weighted down with a brick if needed.   The styrofoam will serve as a floating dock that the ducklings can jump onto. The towel will allow them to make their way over the edge of the pool.

Here are a few photos of some ingenious last minute things people have posted online to save ducklings.

Make your pool wildlife-safe

Of course you don’t want wildlife lounging around your pool.  And it’s always sad to find unfortunate frogs and other small critters in the pool skimmer every morning.  Accidents will happen so the best thing to do is be prepared.  Fortunately, there are many new products out there that will help wildlife if they should end up in your pool and can’t get out.

The Frog Log

The Swimline Frog Log Critter Saving Escape Ramp is easy to set up and provides a method of escape for frogs, squirrels, turtles, lizards, and other small creatures that inadvertently make their way into your swimming pool.   Click here to get it Amazon

Skamper Ramp

Critter Skimmer