Raccoon problem visiting your pool (dispatch)

[JLou]

I recently encountered a raccoon problem with them visiting my pool. There is no deterrent that will work for those who are dealing with this issue(sprays, sprinklers, floating gators etc.).They will visit your shallow end and go for a swim plus defecate.

Calling a trapper is futile and expensive ($300) average cost. Once you get rid of one another will be back(possibly more than one). They will think your pool is “safe” to bathe. Your only solution is to dispatch. I live trap and dispatch with a .25 cal airgun. Once they are live trapped, you just need to hit between the eyes for a humane dispatch. (Shouldn’t be hard once in the live trap)

For the live traps you can cut down a couple thin strips of plywood. 1/4” plywood will do this is to extend the trap trigger. (Lay it over the trigger paddle) They are smart they will step over your standard metal trigger in the live trap. (Especially urban raccoons)

My go to bait is Twizzlers and small amount of cat food in a plastic shot glass (mini Solo cup).

Hope this helps those dealing with this issue and are at their wits end. I have them frequent my pool. Once I dispatch a few, then it takes a few weeks before anymore comes back. Rinse repeat. Just think you’re helping the neighborhood.

 

[Mdragger88]

Twizzlers! Who knew? I’m keeping that one in the vault for future reference!

 

[thedeependent]

what’s your normal cleaning routine when they contaminate the pool?

 

[JLou]

what’s your normal cleaning routine wasn’t they contaminate the pool?

I basically bring it up to slam levels for chlorine based on the CYA level. From what I read as long as you’re not drinking the water it should be fine. Of course use at your own risk. I have also built something to keep them out of the shallow end (which is where they enter). The raccoon won’t go into the deep end. I have notice they only use the deep end to wash their hands. I can upload a pic of my “screen” I have to block them out of the shallow end.

 

[thedeependent]

Thanks for that, I've noticed that they like doing it on my baja shelf area as well as the tiling between the spa and the pool. I am have to find a way to dispatch them.

 

[kams]

I recently encountered a raccoon problem with them visiting my pool. There is no deterrent that will work for those who are dealing with this issue(sprays, sprinklers, floating gators etc.).They will visit your shallow end and go for a swim plus defecate.

Calling a trapper is futile and expensive ($300) average cost. Once you get rid of one another will be back(possibly more than one). They will think your pool is “safe” to bathe. Your only solution is to dispatch. I live trap and dispatch with a .25 cal airgun. Once they are live trapped, you just need to hit between the eyes for a humane dispatch. (Shouldn’t be hard once in the live trap)

For the live traps you can cut down a couple thin strips of plywood. 1/4” plywood will do this is to extend the trap trigger. (Lay it over the trigger paddle) They are smart they will step over your standard metal trigger in the live trap. (Especially urban raccoons)

My go to bait is Twizzlers and small amount of cat food in a plastic shot glass (mini Solo cup).

Hope this helps those dealing with this issue and are at their wits end. I have them frequent my pool. Once I dispatch a few, then it takes a few weeks before anymore comes back. Rinse repeat. Just think you’re helping the neighborhood.

I use a leaf netting to discourage ducks and it might work on raccoons. When I have ducks that still make use of water access through the net, I put poles across the pool and elevate the net. I prefer the net because it is light weight. The pool cover is heavy and a pain to deal with

 

[ParB]

If the raccoon trap is fully enclosed then CO2 is a quick and painless way to dispatch them.

 

[poollifeguard]

Raccoons are such a pain! We use a super sturdy pool cover, seems to keep them out.

 

[brian163]

We have a "winter cover" (which we use under our safety cover in the winter to block out the sunlight and it keeps the water effectively clear until spring) which is really just a solar cover made of darker material. We find a lot of critters (frogs, chipmunks, birds) attracted to the pool at night so we just keep it on the reel for the summer and pull it on at night. (It's lightweight enough not to be the pain a full cover would be.) I've never found a critter in the pool with the cover on.

I know raccoons are heavier but since they appear to have a preference for pooping in or around water (or maybe they just poop everywhere?) perhaps this would discourage interest altogether? I'd certainly rather have them poop on top of my cover, that I can clean off relatively quickly, than deal with slamming my pool repeatedly.

Worth a shot? (No pun intended, OP )

 

[makingdiamonds]

I also have this issue. We tried hiring a licensed trapper. We got every other animal but the Raccoon (Skunk, Opposum). I tried the ultrasonic sound detterents, Nite Guard flashing red lights, and animal repellent scents, so I made this spike strip with bird spikes from Amazon. We had them visit last night, but didn't get in the pool. I will update with how well it works, cross your fingers!! Posting photo. (Will get a second plank soon)

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

 

[makingdiamonds]

View attachment 602405

I know...I am so mean!
Just getting tired of all the mess..the Mama came with four babies creating all kinds of mischief. I bought some animal repellent and it attracted a skunk the next night!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I guess I'm lucky. Despite living in the foothills, I only need to deal with the occasional gopher floating in the pool. Good luck!

 

[Saturn94]

We had raccoons accessing the pool at night via the steps. Placing a board across the steps at night has stopped them from getting in the pool (or at least I no longer see any evidence of them being in the pool).

 

[pdietert]

Racoon deterrent devices:

 

[makingdiamonds]

Test Kits Compared

We had raccoons accessing the pool at night via the steps. Placing a board across the steps at night has stopped them from getting in the pool (or at least I no longer see any evidence of them being in the pool).
View attachment 602436

 

[makingdiamonds]

When you say "evidence" did the Raccoon pooping your pool? If so, what did you do for treatment? I saw what was maybe poop but no berries, no tracks (so I convinced myself maybe mud) the next day I saw the Raccoon prints. Ugh

 

[Bperry]

The raccoon won’t go into the deep end. I have notice they only use the deep end to wash their hands.

at least they’re washing their hands after

 

[makingdiamonds]

Here is a goid article I came across that made me feel better!

Raccoons, Raccoon Roundworms and Swimming Pools

Here’s a question I get surprisingly often. I found a dead raccoon (or raccoon poop) in my pool and I’m freaking out about raccoon roundworms. What should

www.wormsandgermsblog.com

 

[Saturn94]

When you say "evidence" did the Raccoon pooping your pool? If so, what did you do for treatment? I saw what was maybe poop but no berries, no tracks (so I convinced myself maybe mud) the next day I saw the Raccoon prints. Ugh

Fortunately, they weren’t pooping in the pool best I can tell. They would leave a bit of dirt on the steps and their footprints could be seen around that area. Since I started covering the steps, I haven’t seen the added dirt and footprints.