If you’ve discovered tadpoles in your pool, you are likely dealing with a temporary situation that arose because your pool offered an inviting environment for frogs to lay their eggs. To get rid of tadpoles in your pool, it’s important to be both effective and humane. Follow these step-by-step instructions to handle the situation.
Step 1: Stop the Pool’s Pump and Filtration System
First, turn off your pool’s pump and filtration system. This will prevent tadpoles from being harmed by the pool’s equipment and will also make them easier to remove since they won’t be swimming actively against the water currents.
Step 2: Use a Pool Net to Manually Remove Tadpoles
Use a fine-mesh net to gently scoop the tadpoles out of the pool. Be as gentle as possible to minimize harm. Place the caught tadpoles in a large container filled with water from the pool to reduce shock from a change in water temperature or chemistry.
Step 3: Relocate the Tadpoles to a Natural Body of Water
Once you’ve gathered the tadpoles, find a suitable natural body of water like a pond, river, or lake where they can continue their life cycle. Make sure releasing wildlife into these environments is legal in your area before proceeding.
Step 4: Clean and Balance Your Pool Water
After removing the tadpoles, clean your pool thoroughly. Brush the sides, vacuum any debris, and check your pool’s pH and chlorine levels. Adjust the chemicals as necessary to reach the proper balance that’s inhospitable to amphibian life.
Step 5: Restart the Pool’s Filtration System
Once the pool is clean and chemically balanced, turn your pool’s pump and filtration system back on to maintain water quality.
Step 6: Prevent Future Frog Visits
To prevent future occurrences, keep your pool area less inviting to frogs by turning off lights at night (which attract insects and, subsequently, frogs), using a pool cover, and maintaining the appropriate chemical balance in your water. Additionally, consider creating a frog-friendly habitat away from your pool to attract them elsewhere.
Step 7: Monitor Your Pool Regularly
Regularly inspect your pool for signs of frogs or their eggs. Catching the problem early can prevent the tadpole situation from recurring.
Conclusion
Removing tadpoles from your pool requires careful effort, but by following these steps, you can resolve the issue humanely and proactively prevent future problems. After dealing with the tadpoles, ongoing pool maintenance and preventive measures will help ensure your pool remains a place for people, not wildlife.