Ducks gliding across a pond can be a peaceful sight but when they decide that your swimming pool is their new hangout, it’s a whole different story with the major problems. These birds create mess and bring germs, and make pool maintenance much harder. If you’re trying to figure out how to keep ducks out of the swimming pool with no headache then this guide can be helpful with some easy tricks along with the most reliable long-term fixes to the best solution: a pool cover.

Can Ducks Swim in Pools?

Yes, ducks can swim in pools because they are natural swimmers, but it is not safe for them. Chlorine removes the oils from their feathers, making them waterlogged and irritated. Ingesting pool water can hurt their organs and pumps/skimmers can be harmful. The feathers of ducklings are not waterproof and they can drown as well. Also, their droppings contaminate the pool with dangerous waste.

While ducks may appear to enjoy paddling in pools, the environment poses several risks to their health. Chlorine and other chemicals remove the natural oils that keep their feathers waterproof. In the absence of this barrier, ducks become wet, lose buoyancy, and experience skin irritation and sore eyes. If they consume large amounts of chlorinated water, it will affect their organs in the long run.

There is also the concern of mechanical hazards. Pumps, drains, and skimmers associated with pool maintenance can catch or seriously injure ducks, posing extreme hazards when ducks are in the water for extended periods of time.

Ducklings are at greatest risk, as their feathers are not coated with oily, waterproof substances, so they absorb water easily. Ducklings that become waterlogged are heavy and sink, making them unable to regain flotation and can drown in deep pools.

Furthermore, ducks can make the pool dirty with their waste, which is toxic and pollutes the water.

The best approach is prevention: cover the pool when not in use, use deterrents like floating inflatables, and provide ducks with safe, chemical-free alternatives such as ponds or bird baths.

Why Ducks Are Attracted to Swimming Pools

Ducks are attracted to swimming pools because they mimic the conditions of natural ponds – still water and safety from predators. The surface of a pool gives the impression of a steady water body. Lack of natural predation will also make pools even more attractive in this sense, providing a safe place to rely on.

Warm water is another factor that attracts ducks and can be even more important in cold weather where there is a lack of natural comfort. The flat edges of the pool make landing and take-off easy for ducks, which increases the area’s attractiveness for regular visits.

Surrounding gardens are often an added bonus. They provide food items such as insects and plants that ducks would normally be foraging on. The combination of these three factors makes a backyard pool, for a duck, a favourable pond-like setting for swimming, feeding, and resting.

Pacific Black Ducks and Australian Wood Ducks are among the types of duck that are attracted into suburban pools. Their numbers increase during breeding season and dry spells make that much more attractive. And migrating ducks see pools as ideal rest stations on long journeys.

To ducks, your beautiful backyard looks like paradise.

Are Ducks in Pools Safe for Humans?

No, the presence of ducks in a swimming pool is a serious health risk for humans due to various microorganisms. Such microbes can cause gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, and severe parasitic infections. Chlorine eliminates the majority of bacteria but certain microorganisms like Cryptosporidium can survive for days in contaminated pools.

The droppings of ducks is a serious human health hazard, as they often contain pathogenic organisms such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and the hardy parasite Cryptosporidium. These germs can, quite worryingly, be transmitted via contaminated water in pools and can cause painful stomach cramps, chronic diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and, in the worst cases, long-term parasitic infections.

While chlorine usually rapidly destroys most bacteria, Cryptosporidium is also very resistant and can survive up to a week in chlorinated water. The parasite thus remains a particularly scary threat because it continues to infect swimmers long after the ducks’ departure.

In addition to the discomfort to your stomach, infections from these germs can lead to bacterial salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and cryptosporidiosis. Some swimmers will become ill after a single accidental swallow of contaminated water.

To be completely safe, no one should use the pool until the ducks are gone. After being cleared, the pool should then be disinfected using high doses of chlorine and extreme caution in cleaning. Ultimately, prevention is the best and most reliable option: keeping the pool covered while not in use, visible deterrents and keeping barriers against attracting ducks to land on.

How to Keep Ducks Out of Your Swimming Pool

Preventing ducks from entering your pool area takes a combination of immediate deterrents and longer-term methods. Some offer temporary solutions that require ongoing supervision, while others can enable long-lasting protection at minimal time investment. Here are the short-term, as well as long-term, solutions to keep ducks out of your pool.

Short-Term Duck Deterrents (Quick Fixes)

These will work but are only temporary measures and need constant monitoring:

• Pool covers: Manual and automatic pool covers serve as one of the most effective ways to keep ducks out of your pool. Ducks are not able to land on a covered pool so it is an easy way to keep them out. The downside is that covers must be installed and removed regularly, which can be a task if you don’t choose a sliding deck pool cover for added convenience.
• Faux wildlife: Rubber owls, plastic alligator heads, or even a faux swan may initially prevent the ducks. The concept is to imitate natural predators, but ducks will quickly understand that the decoys are not alive. To extend the effectiveness of the trick, be sure to change the decoys position every few days so that the ducks don’t learn.
• Shiny deterrents: Old CDs or metallic streamers hanging from trees create movement and reflections that can scare ducks. Unfortunately, these are often destroyed by wind storms, and need to be replaced frequently.
• Motion-activated devices: Sprinklers or ultrasonic noise-makers will scare off the ducks by making them fly away, but they will also annoy you (and your neighbour). 

Long-Term & Low-Maintenance Solutions

For a more permanent solution, these methods require minimal upkeep and provide lasting protection:

• Permanent physical barriers – Pool nets, retractable glass covers, or full pool enclosures are ways to completely prevent ducks from accessing pool water. After installation, these solutions require no upkeep and provide year-round protection, making them ideal for those who want a set it and forget it solution for long-term peace of mind.
• Landscape alteration – A means to avoid ducks is to remove bird feeders in close proximity to the pool, since these birds are attracted to food availability. Another preventative measure would be to cut thick bush/plant areas on the property where ducks could hide or nest. If you have pets, bring their food into the house at night to not attract birds. Keep lawns short, since ducks are attracted to tall grass for foraging.
• By smartly altering your landscaping, you can remove the welcome mat ducks see when they fly over your pool area.

Why Pool Enclosures Are the Ultimate Duck Deterrent

Think of a pool enclosure as a protective invisible force field surrounding your pool that works around the clock and requires no action on your part. Once in place, it keeps ducks and other animals out of the pool and keeps leaves, bugs and debris from blowing in. The benefits of a pool enclosure are clear:

• Complete protection from all wildlife, including ducks, raccoons, and other pests.
• Your pool stays cleaner because debris, leaves, and insects are kept out automatically.
• With less contamination, chemical costs drop, and your pool water remains healthier.
• The water temperature stays warmer for longer, making your pool more enjoyable.
• The safety of kids and pets is enhanced, preventing accidental falls or exposure to wildlife.
• Your property value can increase, as a pool enclosure adds aesthetic value and offers functional protection.

Most pool owners rave about their enclosures: “Duck problems vanished overnight after installing our enclosure. Pool maintenance dropped from daily cleaning to once a week. It was the best investment we ever made.”

What Not to Do in Your Pool to Avoid Ducks

It’s important to stick to humane methods when keeping ducks away. Avoid these harmful or illegal tactics:

• The use of poison or toxic chemicals could be illegal under wildlife protection laws and could result in very large fines or in some cases jail time.
• Even worse, running after or grabbing ducks can be dangerous and is in some cases illegal, as native birds may be protected by law.
• Aggressive dogs owners scaring off ducks can hurt the birds and, in some cases, even lead to animal cruelty charges.
• Setting traps could unintentionally catch non-target protected species or injure other wildlife.

To avoid legal trouble and protect both ducks and your pool, always choose humane methods.

Final Thoughts

Ducks in your pool can feel daunting, but no matter the situation or budget, there’s an answer. Band-aid solutions may be effective if only a few ducks show up, but permanent measures such as installing pool enclosures completely solve the issue, requiring little to no long-term maintenance. Not only will a pool cover/enclosure save you time and money on cleaning and chemicals, but it will also keep your pool safe and healthy for you, your family, and the wildlife.

But with the right method you will enjoy a calm, clean pool and not have to share it with aerial friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I permanently keep ducks away from my pool?

Install a strong cover system or pool enclosure. There is no daily maintenance and the pool water is not visible nor accessible for the ducks.

Are pool enclosures worth it for wildlife control?

Yes, pool enclosures address wildlife issues and have other advantages. They minimise cleaning time, reduce the cost of chemicals, and keep water temperature consistent. They typically pay for themselves within two years.

Will chlorine kill bacteria from duck droppings?

Some bacteria are killed by chlorine, and it does not kill all resistant parasites such as Cryptosporidium. These parasites cannot be killed by chlorine and thus may survive in the water, therefore, prevention is always preferable to treatment.

What’s the most humane way to deter ducks?

Covers or enclosures are examples of physical barriers that function without any negative impact on wildlife. The idea is that ducks are simply discouraged from coming to your pool and can find other nearby natural water. Polystyrene predator replicas or reflective surfaces also serve to keep them away without inducing stress.