When ducks show up in your back yard and pool, your kids may find it pretty amusing. However, it’s a problem mom and dad are going to have to solve before the kids start naming them, feeding them, and asking if they can keep them.
Ducks use your backyard pool as a substitute for natural ponds and wetlands. One duck may land in the pool by itself or a breeding pair could show up in your pool together.
Ducks need three things in their environment to be happy and to thrive: safety, water and food. Your pool is a seemingly safe place with a lot of water. However, it usually lacks food. It possible for small insects to grow in trapped water on top of pool covers. These are tasty treats for ducks. But only for a short period of time.
Accordingly, without a food supply they will soon realize that your backyard environment -- even with the pool, is not the best for them.
Don’t circumvent the eventual realization by feeding them. The ducks will likely move on to better-suited habitat shortly.
So for the time being, just let the ducks do as ducks do. You can enjoy a bit of nature in your own backyard. They won't stay long.
If, for some specific reason, you feel the ducks are in danger of starvation or some other harm, you can contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for advice or assistance.
Why Do I Need to Keep Ducks out of My Pool?
Well, simply said, ducks just don’t belong in your swimming pool. But there are other compelling reasons for wanting to keep them away.
Human Health Concerns
Many wild animals can carry diseases, especially birds including ducks. Many of the bacteria and viruses carried and spread by ducks and other birds can cause people to get sick.
In theory, the chlorine in your pool should eradicate those contaminants, lessening the worry about infection and illness. However, if the chemical levels (including chlorine) aren't correct in your pool, they will not be effective at killing those viruses and bacteria.
Of particular concern is that these pathogens are also spread through the ducks' feces. Ducks poop on your pool deck will not benefit from chlorine, and remains a hazard -- especially if you step in it with bare feet. The best thing to do is to keep the ducks out of the pool completely.
Duck Health Concerns
All animals, including ducks that live on it, have to drink water. If ducks stay around in your pool for too long, and drink too much water, they could suffer kidney damage from the chlorine, Then the topic turns to how to get dead ducks out of your pool. And that's no fun at all. So keeping ducks out of your pool can help them just as much as it helps you.
What Causes Ducks To Like Pools?
Obviously, the answer is, and the ducks are water birds. your pool is full of water. It’s an attractive and logical environment for them.
Naturally, there are no known duck predators in your pool. In the wild, alligators could be waiting for them. This makes a swimming pool a safe place for ducks. They can relax, eat, and be ducks without worrying about being eaten.
How to Keep Them Out
There are several effective techniques to dissuade them from hanging around in your backyard pool.