Unwelcome Guests: Keeping Raccoons Away from Your Swimming Pool

There's no debate about the cuteness of raccoons, but having them turn up in droves around your home, particularly near your backyard pool, is far from charming. These little critters can turn your pool into their personal water park, which is not only inconvenient but also a source of endless problems.

While it may sound like an odd question, if you're in an area where raccoons are frequent, it's a valid concern. These intelligent animals are resourceful and can find their way into your pool for various reasons:

• Food Scraps as Lures: Raccoons are often associated with garbage, and they also prefer living near water sources. If you have food scraps, birdseed, or even garbage bins near your pool, they could be attracting raccoons from the neighborhood.

• A Clean Freak's Instinct: You might have come across those short videos of raccoons washing their hands. Indeed, raccoons are quite the cleanliness enthusiasts, with an instinct to wash their food before eating. Additionally, they hide their waste and might use your pool for this purpose, which is certainly not a treat for you.

Like any wildlife, raccoons can carry a multitude of bacteria and may introduce feces into your pool. Since they are wild animals, after spotting raccoon traces in your pool, it's important to test the water and contact animal control. Follow these guidelines to prevent these furry visitors from coming back:

Installing a sturdy fence is a foolproof way to keep raccoons out of your pool, and it can also enhance the look and privacy of your backyard. It's not an easy task, so you might consider hiring a professional. You'll need to plan the type of fence that fits your pool's dimensions and materials. Notably, you may need to install a double layer of metal mesh at the bottom of the fence to prevent raccoons and other rodents from digging underneath. To increase the deterrent effect, you might also consider a taller fence or an electric one.

Beyond physical prevention, you can also use chemical repellents to keep raccoons at bay. There are plenty of products on the market that include ingredients like cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, garlic, and vinegar—scents that raccoons dislike. Before applying repellents, thoroughly clean the pool area, then follow the instructions on the product to spray around the pool and at entry points where raccoons might sneak in.

Investing in a high-quality pool cover that fits snugly over your pool is a great way to keep those uninvited rodents at bay (and in some places, it's actually a responsibility for pool owners). It's not just about keeping raccoons out; a pool cover also shields your water from bird droppings, minimizes evaporation, and reduces the amount of leaves and other debris that find their way onto the water's surface. It's important to make sure there are no gaps between the cover and the pool walls to prevent critters from sneaking in, and that the cover is sturdy enough to withstand the clever attempts of animals that know how to chew through flimsy fabric and untie securing knots.

Raccoons are creatures of the night, often going about their business after we've hit the hay, which is why you might not catch them in the act. But a pool robot can be a great deterrent: it moves around in the water, making a racket that's reminiscent of a raccoon's predators, which can scare them off and keep your pool raccoon-free. Similarly, you could use inflatable toys of mountain lions, wolves, or owls, letting them float on the water's surface to keep the raccoons at bay. And let's not forget man's best friend: a dog can also serve as a pool protector, ensuring its safety through the night.

These cleverl critters, like all their night-dwelling counterparts, aren't fans of bright lights. So, installing motion-activated spotlights can catch raccoons red-handed: just picture the surprise of a midnight prowler suddenly illuminated. This not only keeps raccoons away but also deters other pests.

Raccoons aren't fans of prickly plants: these can act as a barrier, keeping raccoons out of your pool, so rose bushes and globe thistle can be your pool's loyal defenders. Additionally, since raccoons are partial to berries, planting bitter-tasting ones like goji berries around your pool can also help keep raccoons at a distance.

While planting certain vegetation can be a good raccoon deterrent, remember that raccoons have a fondness for crops. Vegetables and fruits growing near your pool can be a temptation too hard for them to resist, drawing them perilously close to your water. Plus, tree hollows and branches offer perfect hideouts for their young. So, if you spot plants that could serve as cozy raccoon dens, it's best to grit your teeth and remove them for the sake of your pool's safety.

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