We're having a problem with a pair of ducks that have enjoyed swimming and pooping in our pool since late last week. No ducklings yet. I've tried scaring them away when I can catch them but that hasn't helped. I've just started using a large inflatable alligator yesterday and based on this morning's visit I don't think it's going to work. They're not afraid of my Betta robot either. I found an old thread here that describes successfully using Bio-Dex Enzyme Out to break the surface tension of the water and the ducks won't like it. Anyone more recently been using product to rid your pool of ducks? What does this do to water chemistry? Any other ideas to get rid of them?
Ducks and Bio-Dex Oil Out
- Thread starter djpool21
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,062
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Pairs of ducks are a problem once they imprint your pool and keep on returning.
I have put some inflatable swans in my pool with marginal results. Swans are natural predators of ducks and may work better than an alligator.
Eventually, a big storm blows the ducks away, or a natural predator takes them. At night, red foxes and other critters wander my yard.
I have put some inflatable swans in my pool with marginal results. Swans are natural predators of ducks and may work better than an alligator.
Eventually, a big storm blows the ducks away, or a natural predator takes them. At night, red foxes and other critters wander my yard.
Thanks ajw22. The pair of ducks would come by every morning around 7:30am. I set up the bubblers and waterfall to run in that window of time. After that I saw the ducks were hesitant and did not go in the choppy water. I think they like it nice and calm. I've followed that up with a large swan and dolphin, The ducks ignored the gator.
So we're keeping our fingers crossed that they don't return!
So we're keeping our fingers crossed that they don't return!
- May 23, 2015
- 25,693
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You could try using SKILL-IT in the pool. I’ve used it to get rid of wasps. Definitely affects the water surface tension and I’m sure the ducks are sensitive enough to it that it might make the water unpalatable to them. It’s a relatively harmless and simple algaecide. It does cause a little bit of foaming in the water especially around water features. That goes away after the algaecide breaks down. The effect lasts for about a week or two depending on water temp and chlorine levels so it will eventually go away and not be an issue for water quality. It may be enough for that the ducks don’t like the water and they searching elsewhere.