A pool is an invaluable asset, especially during the summer when taking a dip is always so refreshing. So, you get into your swimming gear and head for a swim, but to your surprise, you spot a snake in the pool. The first question you’ll probably ask yourself is how it got there? Here are a few tips on how to keep snakes out of pool.
How to Keep Snakes Out of Pool
While not all snakes are poisonous, you don’t want to find one floating in your pool. In this article, we’ll discuss what attracts snakes to your pool and how to keep them out.
What Attracts Snakes to Pools
Because snakes are cold-blooded, they like sunbathing on concrete. So that’s one of the reasons a snake would be attracted to your pool area and yard in general. However, you might also be attracting snakes if you:
Regularly trim your branches and mow your lawn. Snakes love to hide in areas with thick cover, which can make your outdoor living space an ideal location. So even if you mow your lawn but leave sections where the grass is longer, snakes will find such areas to be ideal hiding spots. Longer grass also attracts things snakes love to feed on such as mice and other small creatures, making it an ideal place to hunt for prey.
Feeding your pets outside. Leaving uncovered pet food outside can also attract snakes. And this is mainly because open food attracts rodents, which eventually attract snakes. If you feed your pets outside, make it a habit to pick up the food afterwards so there’s no time for mice to make dinner reservations.
Standing water in your backyard. Even snakes need water for hydration. As such, anything that holds water close to the ground, such as toys, swings and other areas where rain collects will attract snakes.
A commercial pool service expert at Desert Mountain Pool Service in Phoenix shared insights on why snakes might be attracted to pools and standing water in backyards. They noted, "Snakes are drawn to pools and standing water as they offer a source of hydration and a cool refuge, especially in hot climates." To deter these unwanted visitors, they recommend regular pool maintenance, reducing clutter where snakes can hide, and ensuring there is no standing water in your yard that could attract them.
Chlorine is poisonous to snakes so they wouldn’t want to go into a chlorinated pool. So, if you find a dead snake in your pool, the chances are it fell into the pool by accident when chasing after a mouse or other food. If you have a saltwater pool, there are some steps you can take to deter them before they enter the water.
How to Keep Snakes Out
When it comes to maintaining your pool, there are many steps you take to care for your pool. You can add one or more of these steps to help keep snakes out. The first step to preventing snakes from coming near your pool is to keep them out of your yard. Trim your hedges during the spring and clean out underneath. It also helps to mow your lawn on a regular basis.
When it comes to keeping snakes from the pool itself, start by looking at the design of your landscape. Keep shrubs and bushes away from the pool area to reduce their hiding places. Snakes also typically try to avoid humans as much as we try to avoid them, so the fewer hiding places, the fewer the snakes. Also, keep your chlorine at the proper levels. As we mentioned before, snakes don’t like chlorine, so they won’t get in a chlorine pool voluntarily.
Bottom Line
You should now know how to keep snakes out of pools. Finding a snake in your pool can be quite frightening, especially if you have kids. Work at ensuring your pool area and lawn in general are not attractive to snakes. Sprinkling some ammonia or white vinegar around the pool area can also help to keep snakes away from your pool. Alternatively, consult a professional pool service to help.
