Sometimes, we see dead squirrels in our pool. These rodents get attracted to the pool because of the presence of trees, drinking water, cooling down body temperature, and the presence of chemicals.
Why Do Squirrels Keep Dying In My Pool? Squirrels can keep dying in your pool because of drowning and exhaustion, slippery surfaces, the presence of chlorine, lack of escape routes, accidental falls, inability to swim, and cold water.
It can also happen when squirrels are poisoned with warfarin chemicals that lead to dehydration, and they rush toward water sources.
Why are there dead squirrels in my pool?
Swimming pools have high water levels, posing safety risks for wildlife and small birds.
Drowning and exhaustion
Squirrels can swim, but they do not perform this activity regularly. They do not come there daily for swimming and as part of their daily activities.
These animals only cross the water puddles for food sources and to escape from predators. These animals can die in water because of drowning and exhaustion.
They maintain certain positions of the body for better buoyancy. Sometimes, they do not keep them in a floating position because of high water levels.
In addition, they also need oxygen, like humans, for survival. Lack of oxygen cause also causes exhaustion and sudden death inside the water. The risk of drowning these small animals is higher because of their smaller size and high water levels.
Slippery pool surface
Squirrels contain sharp claws and hind legs that allow them to grip various surfaces for easy navigation. They do not properly grip the smooth surfaces because of their slipping risk.
The pool walls and steps are slippery, and these animals cannot climb out from them, which can lead to exhaustion and death. The use of concrete, tile, and stones on their walls and steps make these surfaces slippery.
In addition, water is naturally slippery material, and the moving water increases the slipping chances because of loss of grip. Moreover, various chemicals and fungus growth also make these areas slippery.
Presence of chlorine
Chlorine is used in pool water to maintain the pH of water. In addition, it is also served as a disinfecting agent in water and restricts the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
People use them to clean the water because of their sanitizing and disinfecting properties. Chlorine cannot pose any risk to wildlife and other birds when it is used properly.
The issue occurs because of high levels of chlorine and concentrated water. The concentrated water is harmful to squirrels when they ingest them.
It causes gastrointestinal diseases, skin irritation, and impaired vision. These animals cannot see properly in their surroundings and come out of the water because of eye irritation, leading to drowning and death.
Lack of escape route
Most swimming pools do not have proper escape routes. Squirrels cannot find a way to escape them because of their steep edges and high water levels.
Some of these do not contain the slopped edges and ramps to come out from them. Small animals cannot climb out, increasing the risk of their dispersal in water.
They cannot remain in the floating position for longer. These can die because of exhaustion and the absence of food sources. It is necessary to install the knotted ropes on the edges of the swimming pools so squirrels can grip them to come out.
Inability to swim
Squirrels are not natural swimmers but can swim in water for a shorter time. These can die in pools because of exhaustion and the absence of food sources.
These cannot stay there longer because they can cause suffocation. In addition, stress can also impair the swimming abilities of these animals.
The issue occurs when they accidentally fall in them and cannot find the exit route to come out. Some species of squirrels do not know how to swim, and the risk of their death increases because of drowning.
The cold temperature of the water
They can die in the pool because of the water’s cold temperature. The water temperature is low in cold seasons, which can affect the body conditions of these animals.
The cold temperature and air in their surrounding leads to hypothermia in these animals. They cannot maintain their internal body temperature when they remain in cold conditions longer.
Hypothermia leads to a lack of coordination, loss of control over the muscles, and slow breathing, which can increase the risk of death in the water.
What things attract the squirrels in the pool?
Most pets and wild animals get attracted to the swimming pool and can die there. It is disgusting to see floating and dead animals in the water, and it can ruin your day.
Presence of trees
These are herbivore animals, and plant-based sources attract them. They come there because of their food-foraging behavior. They meet most of their nutrient requirements by feeding on plant-based food sources.
It is necessary to trim the trees that are present in their surroundings. You can also grow the repellent plants near these trees so they cannot come there.
Hydration and cooling purpose
They get attracted to the pools for rehydration purposes. They come there to drink water necessary for their several body processes.
In addition, many people deal with the squirrel’s infestation with poisoned chemicals. These chemicals remove the water from their body, and they move towards the water sources to fulfill water requirements.
Moreover, it is also necessary for these animals to cool down and maintain their body temperature in the summer. They swim in water to cool down their body in high-temperature climates.
Presence of chemicals in the pool
People use chlorine, pH adjuster, algaecides, and calcium hardness increasers.
The scents of these chemicals attract the pets and wildlife animals in your yards. It is necessary to store these chemicals correctly and in safe places.
I prefer to use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and proper guidelines.
What to do if you find a dead squirrel in your pool?
Removing the dead animals from the swimming pool is necessary because it can make the water dirty and unhygienic. Turn off the water supply and wear gloves to remove dead squirrels.
Use the net and small bucket to remove and put them in the garbage disposal bags. It is necessary to properly seal the garbage disposal bag while disposing of them so predators cannot eat them.
Remove the gloves and properly wash and sanitize your hands. Run the filtration system to remove the water and raise the chlorine concentration for disinfection and sanitization.
It is necessary to keep the chlorine in the pool for 20 to 30 seconds to kill the virus, bacteria, and other microorganisms in the water.
How do you prevent squirrels from entering your pool?
It is necessary to keep the squirrels away from your backyard pool. I always use the pool covers or net to cover the areas so these animals cannot come inside.
In addition, you can also surround the swimming area with mesh and a fence. Keep the food sources and plastic packages away from the swimming pool so they cannot attract squirrels and other birds.
Hang the knotted ropes on the edges so these animals can find a way to escape from the water. Install the plastic ramp because it is helpful for small animals to get out of the water and reduce the chances of drowning and death.
You can also place the natural deterrents, including coffee beans and garlic, because the scent of these items is unpleasant for these animals, and they do not come there.
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