{"id":34772,"date":"2025-06-25T14:35:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T18:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/?p=34772"},"modified":"2025-07-16T16:19:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T20:19:04","slug":"raccoon-in-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/blog\/raccoon-in-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Raccoons Out of Pools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During the summer, pools can become another attractant to nuisance wildlife. Frogs and snakes are some of the most common critters to find swimming in the pool. Birds, squirrels, and even deer will investigate a pool in the backyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raccoons in the pool are a unique problem because they use an available water source to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Raccoons Love Pools?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"raccoon<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0A raccoon\u2019s natural habitat is anywhere there are trees and a source of fresh water. A home with a pool can satisfy all of a raccoon\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raccoons don’t wash their food in water. Water makes the pads of a raccoon\u2019s paws more sensitive to what they are holding. The process is called \u201cdousing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a raccoon is dousing<\/u><\/a>, it helps them gather information about the food\u2019s texture and ingredients; it helps them distinguish between a tasty morsel and something best set aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raccoon forepaws are covered in tiny spikes that act as sensors. Because more than 60% of a raccoon\u2019s cerebral cortex is dedicated to sensory perception, their hands are incredibly informative tools. Since raccoons are nocturnal, this is especially useful to them as it allows them to \u201csee\u201d their food through this heightened sense of touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dangers of Raccoon Feces in Pools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If a raccoon has decided that your pool is a safe place for them, they will return regularly. In addition to using the pool to douse, they will poop there too. Raccoons pooping in a pool is not unusual, and you will most likely find their poop in the shallow end, on the steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raccoon poop<\/a> looks similar to dog poop. It is dark, has broken ends, and will most likely contain seeds and berries, as this is much of what raccoons eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find raccoon poop in or around your pool, the pool must be cleaned immediately and thoroughly. Their feces often contain the eggs of a worm called Baylisascaris procyonis<\/a>, which can infect humans, particularly children, causing severe neurological illness. These eggs can be swallowed while swimming in an infected pool. Unfortunately, while the chlorine in your pool will kill much of what can harm you, it does not kill these eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Clean Your Pool of Raccoon Poop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your pool was contaminated by raccoon poop, follow these DIY steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Backwash the pool filter<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Drain and hose the pool thoroughly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Change the filters and double bag it in two garbage bags.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Wash your hands <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Refill pool<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Make sure to wear gloves when handling the pool filter. Throw them away when you are done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Keep Raccoons Out of Your Pool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    \"raccoon<\/a><\/figure>\n