How Do I Sanitize My Pool After a Dead Squirrel Fell Into It?
Most dead animals in pools do not pose a health risk to swimmers. If you find a dead animal in the pool, following the simple removal and disinfection steps below will help ensure healthy swimming in the pool. Keeping the pH and free chlorine levels at 7.5 or less is vital. Keeping all swimmers out of the pool also helps. It also helps to keep all swimmers out of the pool until you have completed sanitization.
Keeping free chlorine and pH levels at 7.5 or less
After a dead squirrel falls into your swimming pool, the most important thing to do is disinfect the water. Your pH and free chlorine levels should be at 7.5 or less, and you should maintain a 77-degree temperature. You also need to check your filtration system to make sure it is working correctly. You should also disinfect the net. After this process, you can use muriatic acid to balance the pH and TA levels.
The pH level may be too high but it’s also too low. Muriatic acid is a good option, since it will raise pH without raising alkalinity. Adding muriatic acid will raise pH and total alkalinity to the level recommended by the manufacturer. Add a smidge of muriatic acid, but be careful to follow the dosage instructions. If you’re unsure, you can ask a pool professional for assistance.
Using a pool cover to reduce incidences of dead animals in your pool
While dead animals in your pool usually do not pose a health risk to humans, they can contaminate your swimming water. Dead raccoons, for example, can be infected with a parasite called Baylisascaris. This parasite can be transmitted from humans to other animals. The CDC lists more details on this issue. Other potential risks of dead animals in your pool include skunks, rats, and mice.
While some types of pool covers are transparent, others are made of solid vinyl or a combination of these materials. These materials impact the winterization chemistry of your pool differently, but they all help reduce the risk of dead animals in your pool. Pool covers should be installed with ventilation, as a leaky swimming pool is the perfect breeding ground for dead animals. However, the quality of the cover is important. Some brands claim that their covers can withstand the weight of an elephant or a car.
Removing a dead squirrel from a pool
While dead rodents in a pool pose no immediate threat to swimmers, removing a raccoon or dead lamb from a swimming pool requires special care. Not only can these animals spread harmful germs, but they can also carry diseases. For example, raccoons and lambs can transfer the eggs of a worm known as Baylisascaris procyoni through their feces. The eggs then migrate towards the viscera of a human.
It is possible the squirrel fell into the pool by accident. However, squirrels are excellent swimmers and may have fallen into the pool to cool off. They also often get wet in an attempt to hang onto a branch and escape a predator. This can result in an unattractive and dead squirrel in your pool. To prevent future deaths from happening, it is important to keep your swimming pool clean and well-maintained.
Keeping all swimmers out of the pool
While dead animals pose no immediate health risk to swimmers, you should still keep all swimmers out of the pool after finding a dead animal. The smell of chlorine will keep rodents and other pests away, but there are still some precautions you can take to prevent the spread of disease. If you cannot keep all swimmers out of the pool, dispose of the dead animal properly by placing it in a plastic bag and disposing of it in the ground. After disposing of the dead animal, disinfect the water to ensure swimmers do not come in contact with any debris.
If you are the owner of a pool, make sure it’s properly protected. You can prevent animals from falling into the water by using a floating device placed on the edge of the pool. If you do find a dead squirrel or other animal in the water, you can rescue it with a pool skimmer or net. Another option is to use the bristled end of a broom to lift it out.
Read Also: How to shake a dead squirrel out of a tree
Keeping raccoon feces out of the pool
If you have ever seen a dead squirrel in a swimming pool, you’ve probably wondered if you can get rid of the animal. Raccoons are notorious for using water as their bathroom, and since they’re not as smart as humans, they’ll continue to use your pool as a defecation site. Here’s how to do it:
If you don’t want to test for Baylisascaris yourself, you should clean the water thoroughly and double bag the feces after retrieving the dead animal. If you don’t feel comfortable collecting the feces from the pool yourself, you can contact your local health department for an official test. The process of getting a test can take several days, so you can’t afford to wait that long.
How do I remove a dead squirrel from my pool?
Put on disposable gloves. Use a net or bucket to remove the dead animal from the pool. Double bag the animal in plastic garbage bags. Clean off any debris or dirt from the item used to remove the dead animal. Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags
Once the animal has been removed, you will need to safely dispose of it. In most cases, small animals like mice and squirrels can be disposed of in the garbage
How do I sanitize my pool after a dead squirrel fell into it?
Thoroughly clean the area of the pool where the dead squirrel was located.
This includes cleaning the pool deck furniture and any other areas that the squirrel may have come into contact with.
If the squirrel was in the water you will also need to shock the pool and do a deep clean.
How do I prevent squirrels from getting into my pool?
There are a few things you can do to prevent squirrels from getting into your pool.
First make sure that your pool deck is clean and free of food or other attractants.
Second consider installing a pool cover to keep animals out.
Finally keep trees and other vegetation trimmed back from the pool area.
What if a squirrel has been in my pool but I don’t know it?
If you suspect that a squirrel has been in your pool but you’re not sure it’s best to err on the side of caution and treat the pool as if the squirrel had been there.
This means shock the pool and do a deep clean.
How often should I shock my pool?
You should shock your pool at least once a week and more often if it is being used frequently.
What is the difference between chlorine and bromine?
Both chlorine and bromine are effective at killing bacteria and keeping pools clean.
However chlorine is a stronger disinfectant than bromine.
What is the difference between a pool shock and a pool sanitizer?
A pool shock is a high concentration of chlorine or other disinfectant that is used to kill bacteria and other contaminants.
A pool sanitizer is a low concentration of chlorine or other disinfectant that is used to keep the pool water clean.
How do I know if my pool has enough chlorine?
You can test the chlorine levels in your pool with a pool test kit.
The ideal chlorine level for pools is between 1 and 3 ppm.
What is the difference between a pool filter and a pool skimmer?
A pool filter helps to remove dirt debris and other contaminants from the water.
A pool skimmer helps to remove floating debris from the water.
How often should I backwash my pool filter?
You should backwash your pool filter when the pressure gauge reads 8-10 psi higher than the initial reading.
What is the difference between a cartridge filter and a sand filter?
A cartridge filter uses a cartridge to trap contaminants.
A sand filter uses sand to trap contaminants.
How often should I clean my pool filter?
You should clean your pool filter every 2-3 months or as needed.
What is the difference between an above ground pool and an inground pool?
An above ground pool is a temporary or semi-permanent pool that is not installed in the ground.
An inground pool is a pool that is installed in the ground.
How do I winterize my inground pool?
You should winterize your inground pool by draining the water removing all the accessories and covering the pool.
How do I winterize my above ground pool?
You should winterize your above ground pool by draining the water removing all the accessories and covering the pool.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
