Pools pose a threat to wildlife that fall in and can’t climb back out. There are commercially available products such as frog logs and escape ramps designed to give frogs, lizards, ducklings, and small animals a platform from which to climb out of the pool. Using a pool cover when the pool is not in use can also prevent animals from falling in.
If such equipment isn’t available and an animal is struggling in the pool, use a net, pool skimmer, or broom to fish the animal out. For larger animals, such as a cat, dog, raccoon, or fawn, putting a patio chair in the shallow end of a pool next to the pool ledge can give the animal a place to rest and leverage to climb out. You can also put a partially deflated pool float secured to the pool edge to use as a makeshift ramp or use plywood or 2 x 4 planks if they are easily available. Be careful not to get bitten or scratched.
Once the animal is out of the water, leave it alone so that it can recover. Keep people and pets away from the area until the animal leaves on its own. Watch to make sure it doesn’t fall back into the pool. If the animal is obviously injured, contact a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator for treatment options.
Ducks and geese will use swimming pools. Simply chase them out of the pool by making loud noises until they leave.
If you consistently get wildlife visitors to your pool and you have the space and resources, consider installing a wildlife pond. In addition to providing wildlife with habitat and access to drinking water, which may be a limiting resource locally, a wildlife pond can provide hours of wildlife watching fun for you and your neighbors.
The Wildlife Illinois website was authorized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in partial fulfillment of project W-147-T. The website was developed by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, 2wav, and the IDNR in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services and University of Illinois Extension to provide research-based information about how to coexist with Illinois wildlife.
