If your pool is situated outside your home under the blue skies, you would most likely be faced with bird invasion. Their presence is not the most frustrating part, it's their noise and droppings. While it is only irritating, the droppings can also be very dangerous to your health.
This guide will answer a few questions; Why are birds always attracted to your pool? How to keep birds from pooping on the pool deck, and how to clean a bird's droppings.
Reasons Birds are Pooping on your Swimming Pool
Why do these birds keep coming to your pool? Even more so, why do they poop in it? Here are some reasons you can think of.
It keeps them safe
Like it or not, they poop in your pool so bird predators won't find it. If they poop on the ground, the stink immediately tells the predator where they are. Seeing as they want to survive, their instinct is to hide their droppings in your pool.
They feel at home
Many birds love the water and when they see large water bodies, are naturally attracted. Whatever it is you can do when you are home, they also do when they are in your pool.
How to Keep Birds Away from your Swimming Pool
Referencing the reasons above, it might seem like the only way to keep birds away is to eliminate them or close your pool. Bird elimination is illegal; closing your pool is not the best choice. Therefore, these are some things you can do instead.
Cover your pool
The first thing you can do is to cover your pool, especially if you are not home or are not using it. You can always purchase a pool cover or ask a professional to build one. Not only will you keep the poop away, but you will also no longer be attracted to the water body - because it is covered.
Remove things that make them feel at home.
Though you might have covered the pool, some stubborn birds can still land and hang around. This event happens when they are already used to your poolside and find things that make them feel comfortable. Some of these elements include nesting areas, food, and attracting flowers. Cut down trees and the high vegetation that surrounds your pool. In the same way, get rid of fruits like berries or nuts, which can attract them.
Use visual deterrent
If option number two seemed impossible for you - maybe you love your flowers, you can use deterrents. Visual deterrents scare birds and keep them from landing in your pool area. Some examples are shiny objects, prey decoys, scarecrows, and spikey pool covers.
An audio deterrent is another option
You can't deny that some birds are just great at being pesky. Some could even land on the scarecrow, almost like it's nothing. If this is the case with you, try audio deterrents. The sounds make the scare more realistic and keep them far off, even before they come close. Some examples of audio deterrent devices are bird distress calls or sounds that mimic their natural predators. These sounds are sold in many stores off- or online.
Spray them away
Finally, you can spray some of their natural repellent products in the air to make your pool bird and poop-proof. The best spray ingredients include crushed hot peppers, chili powder, and vinegar. Spray the mixture ever so fruitfully around your pool and if you can, store some around the corners of your pool to keep the scent strong.
How do you Clean Bird Poop off a Pool Deck?
Now that you have successfully sent them away, what will you do with the poop left behind? Note that bird droppings are not only irritating but dangerous to your health. The CDC confirms that bird droppings contain Cryptosporidium (also known as crypto). While you can add chlorine to your pool water, you have to take extra precautions. Here is what you should do instead;
- Make sure no one is swimming or loitering in the pool area.
- Put on your safety gloves. Ensure that your skin is not exposed to avoid contamination.
- Remove the droppings from the pool with a net. Do so until there is no sign of bird poop in the water.
- Remove the gloves and wash your hands properly.
- Add a few drops of chlorine to the water to disinfect it. Use 2 parts of chlorine first and then wait for half an hour.
- Check the pH of the pool water and ascertain that it is around 7.5
Find Professional Pool Cleaners Around Your Area
Pool cleaning is tough hard work. Not to mention how much time you would put into it and the level of dedication it requires. It can't be compromised, either. You'll soak your body in the water allowing your skin to react with the minerals and materials inside. Therefore, you need to not only take it seriously, but it must be done carefully.
It takes several steps to ensure a properly cleaned and disinfected pool. It includes pool draining, pool deck repair, plumbing, disinfecting, pH regulation, renovations, resurfacing, and other comprehensive procedures. It also consists of pool-leak repair, filter regulation, and many more.
It is not easy to do it alone, so the next step would be to call in a professional. BMWemple Pool is a team of pool cleaning and repairs experts that will perform a professional and comprehensive task, whose cost will not break the bank, and whose services are state-licensed. With 3 generations of quality service under their belt, they also provide pool decking services, pool rock refurbishing, calcium stain removal, pool walkthroughs for new homeowners, and more.
