How to Stop Animals Getting in Your Swimming Pool

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There’s no doubt about it. Having your own swimming pool in the summer can bring about a whole lot of fun for all the family. 

But while they’re a great place to relax, socialize and have fun with your family and friends, swimming pools can often pose hazards for local wildlife who may become trapped there when no one is watching. 

There are a whole host of furry (or not so furry) friends who could find themselves in danger in your pool including birds, frogs, lizards and even your family pet. As well as potentially causing harm to themselves, animals could even make the pool harmful to you and your family due to the waste they produce, so it’s important to animal-proof your pool and backyard in every way you can. 

Luckily, the team at Claffey Pools knows a thing or two about protecting animals from your pool, keeping both you and them safe. In this article, we’ll outline everything you can do to stop animals from getting in your swimming pool. 

Take precautions 

Every property is different, and depending on where your pool is located, this might influence the type of animals that might be tempted to go for a dip. 

But, there are some universal precautions you can take to ensure this doesn’t happen. 

First, during the building process, it’s always a good idea to include lounge ledges along the side of the pool slightly below the water. This means there will be shallower areas of the pool which can help animals escape if they do end up in it. The team at Claffey Pools can implement these for you. 

Alternatively for those animals that need a bit more help, it’s worthwhile having water-exit devices present in your pool. This buoyant pool equipment will float on the surface near the edge of the pool, giving animals a helping hand and out if required.   

Another surefire way to prevent any unwanted visitors is to cover your pool at night when it’s less likely you will have your eyes on it, or build a fence around the perimeter of your swimming pool that stops any animals from entering. 

The fear factor 

Many animals, particularly birds, will be reluctant to go anywhere near your pool if they think a predator or larger animal is already occupying it. Now we’re not suggesting that you invest in an alligator to marshall your pool’s waters – but you’re not far off. 

A large, brightly colored animal float is a great way to scare off animals from trying to get in your pool. There is a wide variety of floats you can choose from including those that resemble real predators, but as long as the inflatable is big and bright it should do the trick. 

What to do if an animal is already in the pool?

If an animal has got into your pool before you can implement your precautions, the important thing to do is not to panic. 

For small animals like birds, frogs or lizards you can simply scoop them out with a net or pool skimmer – broom handles can also be used if you don’t have these to hand.

When it comes to bigger animals it really depends on the circumstances. Always put your protection first, and do not approach the animal if it seems hostile or you’re worried about being bitten or harmed in any way. In these situations always call your local animal rescue unit.

However, if it’s your pet or you feel comfortable getting closer to the animal, you can use a deflated float to act as a ramp to help the animal out. 

At Claffey Pools, we’ve offered quality pool services to customers across North Texas, Colleyville & Coppell for over 30 years. For more information on what we do, and to learn more about our products and services, get in touch with our team today.