Frogs and toads are drawn to your pool because it has a food source in the backyard and a water supply. Frogs are amphibious creatures that are naturally drawn to water and will seek out your pool, especially during the dry season when there is little water available. Sometimes it’s just the pool light or the lush vegetation in your landscaping that attracts insects that frogs eat.
Why are there frogs in your pool?
Because they can’t tell the difference between a clean, chlorinated swimming pool and a natural, murky pond. More importantly, it’s because your pool can provide a plentiful source of food for them.
Water attracts some insects as well. To a frog, a swarm of flying, water-loving bugs hovering around your pool is like a big, buzzing buffet. Please, a lily pad for two!
And, at night, when light reflects off the water or you turn on the pool lights, the light will attract more bugs, which is just a second course for your froggy pals.
That’s right, we said buddies. You want frogs in your garden and yard. Just not in your swimming pool.
Why are frogs in my pool a problem?
Frogs can help control insects and other pests in your garden, but you don’t want them in your pool for health reasons. Frogs carry a variety of bacteria and diseases that can harm your family if they multiply in the pool water. Normally, the chlorine in the pool will kill these contaminants, but if your chlorine level is low and frogs get into the pool, serious health consequences could occur.
The main issue with frogs and toads is that they will breed in your pool and lay thousands of eggs. If this occurs, you will notice a cloudy mess of eggs floating on the water’s surface. They will end up in the filter if you scoop them out with a net or let the skimmer deal with the problem.
Allowing frogs in your pool will inevitably result in dead and decaying frogs – not ideal for swimming!
How to Get Frogs Out of Pools
While frogs are cute, having them in your pool is not a good idea. Here’s how to remove frogs from pools without harming them.
Find nearby freshwater sources
If the frogs did not come from a pond in your yard, you will need to find a natural freshwater source near your home. Remember that frogs prefer pond water rich in algae, weeds, and insects. Using your phone’s maps app, look for nearby freshwater sources.
Fill a Bucket with Water from a Fresh Source
Once you’ve found the freshwater source, fill a bucket halfway with water from the pond. Frogs must have access to clean, chlorine-free water in order to survive.
Grab a Tight-Knit Net
Wear long sleeved shirts and gloves. Next, select a net with tight knitting or holes small enough that frogs’ legs will not get caught in them.
Skim Frogs, Eggs, and Tadpoles Gently
Using your tight-knit net, gently scoop out all frogs and frog eggs from your pool. Put them in the bucket of clean water.
Release Frogs Back Into the Wild
Don’t just throw the frogs out when you take them to the freshwater pond. Instead, follow these steps:
- Adult frogs should be released on land near the pond.
- To ensure tadpole survival, place them in calm water. This calm water source should ideally be near vegetation for the tadpoles to eat.
- Frog eggs should be placed in calm, fresh water with plenty of vegetation and algae so that they are not carried away by a current.
By taking these extra precautions, you not only ensure the frogs’ survival (which helps control mosquito and other pest populations), but you also reduce the likelihood of them returning.
How to Keep Frogs Out of Your Swimming Pool
1. Switch off the pool lights
If you’re wondering how to keep frogs out of your pool, remove as much of their food source as possible. Pool lights at night will attract bugs, transforming the area into a froggy foodie function. To avoid inviting them for their favorite insect munchies, turn off the lights at night.
2. Start the pool pump or install a water feature
Frogs seek out still bodies of water where they can relax and hunt for insects. They will be far less interested if your pool surface is in motion.
To keep the water moving, consider installing a pool pump. You can also add a backyard water feature, such as a waterfall or fountain, to your pool. Discuss your requirements with a water feature company in your area.
3. Install a Pond in Your Backyard
While the croaks from froggy celebrations may be annoying, they are actually beneficial to have around. They’ll turn your yard into an all-night diner full of annoying insects. But what about that swimming pool you’ve worked so hard to keep up? This is not the best location for your amphibious allies.
Instead of permanently exiling them, consider providing an alternative habitat. If you’ve always wanted to build a backyard pond, now is the time to get started.
Natural water features are also an important part of pollinator habitats because they attract beneficial insects like dragonflies, which eat garden pests.
4. Apply Frog Repellent
Frogs dislike salt and anything acidic because they cause a burning sensation on their feet. This means that sprinkling salt or spraying vinegar or citric acid around your pool will quickly drive them away. Pets and children should be kept away from treated areas.
Spraying directly on the frog’s body, as well as using ammonia and other harmful chemicals, can kill the creatures. Remember that these will also harm or kill your plants, so choose your location carefully.
For added protection, surround your pool area with coffee grounds. Again, exercise caution if you place the grounds near plants. Plants that thrive in acidic soil, such as hydrangeas, daffodils, and azaleas, are generally a good bet.
5. Keep the Pool Clean
Keeping your pool clean isn’t just good for you; it also keeps frogs away. A frog is more likely to mistake your pool for a pond if it contains algae, leaves, or other debris.
Furthermore, live frogs can carry bacteria and other icky things that can pollute your pool water if not properly treated. To avoid the open invite, maintain your pool’s chemical balance and skim it on a regular basis. If you need assistance keeping your pool clean, contact a local pool cleaning service.
6. Keep Your Yard Trimmed and Clear
Frogs are nocturnal, so they’ll be looking for places to hide and sleep during the day. You’ll have fewer visitors at night if you keep your grass trimmed and your yard free of weeds, debris, and other hiding places.
7. Skim Frog Eggs Right Away
Frogs lay their eggs in water, so you might find one of their gelatinous egg clusters floating around your pool. If you see frog eggs, immediately use your pool skimmer to pick them up. Transfer them to a nearby pond or wetland.
8. Use a Pool Cover
Using a cover is good pool maintenance practice in general, but it is also extremely effective at keeping out frogs and other small animals. They’ll even keep insects out, so you’ll have far fewer traumatic encounters with dead frogs and creepy crawlies while swimming.
9. Keep Your Pool Warm
Frogs prefer cold water over warm water because cold water contains more oxygen. Because frogs absorb oxygen through their skin, they will always hop toward colder, more oxygenated water.
You can make your pool less appealing to them by investing in a pool heater or a solar pool cover. Warmer water for swimming is a welcome bonus.
10. Make use of a Frog Log
Unfortunately, because the sides of your pool are often too high, frogs cannot physically jump out. A frog log is an excellent solution; they can be purchased from retailers for $10 to $20. They’re essentially lily pads with a small ramp attached that allows frogs to safely exit your pool.
11. Build a Fence
You can prevent frogs from entering your pool entirely by erecting a fence around it. Make sure the fence is sturdy and tall enough to keep frogs from jumping over it. Consult with a local fence installation company about your options.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to keep frogs out of your pool, keep in mind that no matter how many precautions you take, one little guy will always find his way into the water. This is why employing multiple strategies is far more effective than relying solely on one.
Frogs, by the way, are not dangerous or poisonous, and will not harm you if you touch them. If you see one swimming in your pool, gently scoop it up with a skimmer before it drowns and release it a safe distance away from your pool or in the pond you built. You’ll feel better about it, and the frogs will feel better as well.
FAQs
Is chlorine toxic to frogs?
Frogs can die from repeated exposure to swimming pool chemicals because they require fresh water to survive. Frogs can die from dehydration caused by chlorine. To prevent frogs from staying in your pool for long periods of time, safely remove them once you notice them and install a frog log so they can easily hop out on their own.
What should you do if frogs are discovered in your pool?
The best thing you can do if you find frogs in your pool is to get them out. The best method is to build a ramp for the frog to jump out of, or you can remove them with a tight-knit net.
What is the most effective frog repellent?
Frog repellent can be made at home using salt, citric acid, or vinegar. Spray the repellent around your pool to keep frogs away.
