Discovering raccoons in your pool can be a frustrating and potentially hazardous situation. These clever critters can wreak havoc on your pool area and pose health risks.
In this guide, we’ll explore effective strategies for dealing with raccoons in the pool and ensuring a clean, safe swimming environment.
How to Remove Raccoons from the Pool
Here are some effective strategies to deter raccoons from accessing your pool area:
- Secure the Pool Area: Begin by covering the pool area that raccoons have been frequenting. This barrier will deny them access to the water, reducing their interest.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Remove any bird or squirrel feeders in proximity to the pool. Raccoons are notorious for devouring birdseed and corn meant for other creatures. Eliminating these food sources minimizes the attraction.
- Live Trapping: Deploy live traps strategically around the pool’s perimeter and bait them with pet food, peanut butter, or any enticing food. Regularly check the traps and, when successful, relocate the captured raccoons to a wooded area far from your home.
- Nighttime Pool Cleaner: Invest in an automatic pool cleaner programmed to activate during the night. The sudden activation will startle raccoons, discouraging them from approaching your yard.
- Peppermint Oil Barrier: Create a natural deterrent by mixing peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and applying it around the pool area. Raccoons dislike the scent of peppermint, making them less inclined to venture near.
- Alligator Floater: Enhance the illusion of danger by placing an alligator floater in your pool. Raccoons will perceive it as a predator and be hesitant to enter the water.
By implementing these measures, you can effectively remove raccoons from your pool area and prevent them from causing damage or contaminating the water with their feces.
Risks of Having Raccoons in the Pool
Having raccoons in your pool can pose various risks and problems. Here are some of the key risks associated with raccoons in the pool:
- Health Hazards: Raccoons can carry a variety of diseases, including rabies, roundworm, and leptospirosis. If they contaminate your pool water with their feces, urine, or saliva, it can create a health risk for humans and pets who come into contact with the water.
- Water Contamination: Raccoons in the pool can introduce dirt, debris, and contaminants that degrade water quality. Their presence may necessitate increased chemical treatments and filtration to maintain a safe and clean swimming environment.
- Pool Damage: Raccoons may damage pool equipment, such as pumps and filters, as they explore and attempt to access the water. Their sharp claws and teeth can cause physical harm to pool covers, liners, and other materials.
- Foul Odor: Raccoons may defecate in and around the pool, leading to unpleasant odors. The presence of raccoon waste can also attract flies and other pests.
- Nuisance and Noise: Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and their activities during the night, such as splashing in the water or knocking over objects, can disrupt your sleep and create a nuisance.
- Messy Surroundings: Raccoons may rummage through trash cans and spread garbage around the pool area. This not only creates a mess but also attracts other unwanted wildlife.
- Potential for Aggression: While raccoons are typically timid and avoid humans, they can become aggressive if they feel cornered or threatened. This poses a risk to anyone attempting to remove them from the pool area.
- Property Damage: Raccoons may dig up your yard or garden in search of insects, grubs, or other food sources, causing damage to landscaping and property.
To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to take steps to prevent raccoons from accessing your pool area and promptly address any raccoon infestations.
Implementing deterrents, securing food sources, and regularly maintaining your pool and surroundings can help reduce the likelihood of raccoons becoming a problem in your pool.
For another option, you can turn to our all-inclusive guide titled ‘How to get rid of Raccoons.’
Cleaning a pool after a raccoon invasion
Cleaning a pool after a raccoon invasion is crucial to mitigate the risk of germ and disease transmission. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a thorough cleaning process:
- Protective Gear: Prioritize safety by donning disposable gloves before initiating the cleaning process. These gloves will shield you from potential contact with raccoon feces.
- Feces Removal: Use a net or scoop to carefully remove any visible feces from the pool. It’s essential to handle this step with care to avoid breaking up the feces, which could release harmful bacteria and parasites.
- Pool Vacuum: Employ a pool vacuum to thoroughly clean the pool’s bottom, ensuring the removal of any residual feces or debris.
- Disinfecting Walls: Drain the pool and wipe down the interior walls with a disinfectant. A solution consisting of 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water is effective for disinfection.
- Filter Replacement: Replace the pool’s filter media to guarantee the removal of any lingering bacteria or parasites from the water.
- Fresh Water Refill: Refill the pool with fresh water to dilute any remaining bacteria or parasites.
- Water Testing: Conduct a water test to detect the presence of bacteria and parasites. If the test yields a positive result, refer to the CDC’s guidelines for cleaning pools contaminated with raccoon feces.
- Disposal: Double-bag the disposable gloves and any materials used during the cleaning process. Dispose of them in a trash can with a secure, tightly-fitting lid.
- Hand Hygiene: Prior to concluding the process, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. This step is essential to prevent the spread of germs and diseases.
By meticulously following these steps, you can effectively clean your pool after a raccoon intrusion, reducing the risk of germ and disease transmission.
Preventing Raccoons from Invading the Pool Again
Some effective strategies to prevent raccoons from invading your pool once more include:
- Secure Pool Area: Cover the pool area that raccoons have visited. This proactive step denies raccoons access to the water.
- Remove Attractants: Eliminate bird or squirrel feeders near the pool. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and will devour seeds and corn meant for other animals. Having such feeders close to your pool can attract these unwanted masked swimmers.
- Nocturnal Pool Cleaner: Install an automatic pool cleaner set to activate during the night. The sudden activity will startle raccoons and discourage them from approaching your yard.
- Epsom Salt Barrier: Create a raccoon-repelling barrier by sprinkling Epsom salt around the pool area. The strong scent will deter raccoons from crossing this line.
- Seal Pool Access Points: Prevent raccoon entry by sealing off the steps or shallow areas of the pool.
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Use motion-activated sprinklers that spray water when they detect movement. This will startle raccoons and effectively deter them from your pool area.
- Maintain a Clean Yard: Raccoons are attracted to areas with food and shelter. By consistently keeping your yard clean and free of debris, you make it less appealing to raccoons.
By following these tips, you can effectively thwart raccoons from invading your pool again, ensuring a clean and safe pool area.
