How to Keep Frogs Out of Your Pool for Good

For frogs, your backyard pool can look like a large, inviting pond—perfect for a swim, bug snacks, and general froggy activities. However, because pools lack the gradual edges of a pond, once frogs enter, they often can't find their way back out, leading to unfortunate mishaps. To avoid this, let's explore some effective strategies to keep frogs safe and your pool clear.

Why Are Frogs Attracted to Pools?

Frogs don’t see the difference between a chlorinated pool and a natural pond. For them, it’s a potential home full of water and insects. Pool lights, especially at night, attract bugs, creating an irresistible frog buffet. But while frogs play an important role in your garden's ecosystem by controlling pests, it's best to keep them out of your pool.

Why Keep Frogs Away?

While frogs are great for natural pest control, they don’t belong in your pool. Here are some reasons to keep them out:

• Egg Laying: Frogs reproduce by laying eggs, which develop into tadpoles and then frogs. They lay eggs only in water, and your pool may be mistaken for a safe spot. To avoid scooping up frog eggs, keep them away from your pool in the first place.

• Drowning Hazard: Frogs may struggle to escape pools without a sloped edge, and they can tire themselves out trying to jump to safety, leading to drowning.

Effective Tips to Keep Frogs Out of Your Pool

1. Install a Solid Pool Fence
   A sturdy fence provides protection for small children and pets, while also deterring frogs and other wildlife. Choose a solid material like wood or vinyl, as these are more effective than iron bars or chain links.

2. Use a Pool Cover
   Covering your pool at night or during non-use hours creates a barrier that keeps bugs and frogs out. For optimal protection, consider a pool safety cover, which is designed to keep out critters while ensuring pool safety.

3. Maintain a Tidy Landscape
   Overgrown plants and weeds around your pool are like a welcoming sign for frogs. By keeping your pool area clear of dense vegetation, you eliminate hiding spots and reduce their interest in your pool area.

4. Turn Off Pool Lights
   Bugs are attracted to light, and frogs follow the bugs. Turning off your pool lights at night reduces the chances of drawing bugs to the pool, keeping frogs at bay.

5. Install a Water Feature
   Frogs are less likely to approach moving water. Consider adding a pool fountain or waterfall, which discourages bugs from settling around your pool.

6. Increase Pool Water Temperature
   Frogs prefer cooler water, which holds more dissolved oxygen. By heating your pool, you make it less attractive to frogs. Solar covers or pool heaters are effective tools for maintaining a warm pool environment, which is less frog-friendly.

7. Add a Frog Rescue Ramp
   If frogs do happen to fall in, a frog log or critter ramp allows them to safely exit the pool. These small, floating ramps are easy to set up and can be positioned at different points around the pool edge for maximum coverage.

8. Create an Alternative Habitat
   For a long-term solution, consider building a frog-friendly pond away from your pool. Add plants, stones, and a water source to attract frogs to this safer environment, which keeps them away from your pool.

Stay Consistent for Success

Using a mix of these strategies increases your chances of a frog-free pool. Keep in mind, however, that even with the best deterrents, an occasional frog might still find its way into your pool. When that happens, gently scoop it up and relocate it far from the pool area.

Keeping frogs out doesn’t just keep your pool clean; it also keeps these little creatures safe. By making a few adjustments around your pool, you can enjoy clear water and a safer environment for frogs.