A swimming pool can become a nuisance when frogs make it their home, causing nocturnal noise, droppings, and occasional clogging of the filtration system. Finding amphibians floating in the skimmer basket or congregating around the deck is common, especially during warmer months. Addressing this requires discouraging their presence and safely removing current inhabitants. The goal is to reclaim the pool area by understanding what attracts frogs and implementing targeted environmental modifications.
Identifying Why Frogs Are Drawn to Your Pool
Frogs are drawn to residential pools because the environment provides for their basic needs: water, food, and shelter. The still water of an uncovered pool, especially when the pump is off, mimics a natural pond, acting as a beacon for hydration and potential breeding. Amphibians seek out any accessible body of water, particularly during dry periods.
An abundance of food is another lure, as pool areas often create a perfect insect buffet. Exterior lighting, including pool lights, attracts moths, mosquitoes, and other small prey at night, which frogs actively hunt. Finally, they require safe places to hide from predators and the sun, making debris, tall grass, and low-lying vegetation near the pool deck appealing shelters.
Immediate and Safe Removal Techniques
When frogs are present, the first step is humane removal and relocation away from the immediate pool area. The most direct method is using a long-handled, fine-mesh net to gently scoop the frogs from the water or deck. Transfer captured amphibians into a clean bucket containing a small amount of fresh, unchlorinated water for temporary holding.
For frogs on the deck or landscape, use a gentle stream of water from a garden hose to encourage them to move away without causing harm. These actions are for immediate, physical removal and are not long-term solutions, as new frogs will arrive if attractants remain. Installing specialized floating escape ramps, often called FrogLogs, provides a safe route for any frog that accidentally enters the water to climb out, preventing drowning.
Modifying the Landscape for Long-Term Prevention
Achieving a frog-free pool requires systematically eliminating the environmental factors that attracted them.
Eliminating Water and Food Sources
A highly effective strategy is eliminating stagnant water sources around the yard, such as leaky faucets, bird baths, or collected water in planters. Since frogs prefer calm water for laying eggs, running the pool pump or water features, such as jets or waterfalls, at night makes the water less inviting for breeding.
Controlling the insect population is another deterrent, as it removes the primary food source. This can be accomplished by switching exterior pool and landscape lights off overnight or by replacing standard bulbs with yellow or amber LED lights, which are less attractive to nocturnal insects.
Removing Shelter and Installing Barriers
When landscaping, maintain a buffer zone by keeping the grass trimmed and removing piles of leaves, rocks, or wood debris that serve as hiding spots within a few yards of the pool perimeter.
For a robust long-term solution, installing a physical barrier is highly effective at blocking entry. This barrier should be a solid fence, such as vinyl or wood, or a fine-mesh screen that extends to the ground. A solid fence with no openings larger than half an inch and a height of at least two feet significantly reduces access. The regular use of a tightly fitting pool cover also acts as an impermeable physical barrier, preventing entry into the water and access to floating insects.
Protecting Frogs and Pool Water: Safety Guidelines
The use of harsh chemicals near the pool or drainage systems can be detrimental to amphibians. Frogs absorb water and chemicals through their highly permeable skin, making them extremely susceptible to irritants. Homeowners should never use pesticides, bleach, or high concentrations of salt or vinegar to repel frogs, as these can cause dehydration, injury, or death.
While diluted pool chlorine can harm frogs over time, droppings left by amphibians deplete the chlorine level, necessitating more frequent shocking of the water. Before removal or relocation, check with local wildlife authorities to ensure the species is not protected in your region. Protecting pool equipment involves checking skimmer baskets and filters daily, as trapped frogs can cause clogs and potentially damage the pump system.