bird situation

[pool_mommy]

Just joined! We are newbies with a new home with existing AG 18' pool. This spring has proven to be challenging trying to keep the pool clean. We opened it, no algae, just pollen from the terrible cover that eeekked through winter. The next day Grackles completely turned my pool into their toilet. We threw in 4 lg bottles of Clorox and 3 3" tabs into skimmer. The water immediately clouded. My husband put in clarifier as I vacuumed out the pool. we had a new cartridge too. After a day, the pool cleared, but the stinking birds keep dropping their poop into the pool!!! Any suggestions on how to stop them? Will I need to do more to keep pool sanitized for kids to go in?

[Talkingpigeon]

Hi pool_mommy (great name!)
In Australia we have "Duckoff" a product that discomforts the birds by interfering with the surface tension of the water. They sink!
Pool shops should be able to supply a similar product.
talkingpigeon

[waste]

Welcome to The Forum, both of you!!

P-mommy, what you want is a deterrent, I can think of 2. 1) a plastic owl 'perched' overlooking the pool or one of those 'crazy waving arms men' that you sometimes see to attract customers to a car dealership or restaurant. 2) If possible, string some fishing line (cris-crossed ~ 10' above and around the pool area - the 'sparkle' of the monofilament deters them).

As a last resort, a shotgun would solve the problem

[pool_mommy]

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately these birds do not sit on the water, instead they fly over and drop the bombs on the ledge or in the water and fly away! I have left a ring inflatable in the pol to move around hoping it would scare them and not come near, but I think they just laugh at me as it hasn't worked.

[waste]

I know these are "fly by"s

The things I proffered were to deter them from flying over your pool.

I wish you a bird poop free pool!

[Talkingpigeon]

Hmmm, I am becoming worried about the possibility of similar bombing operations that might be inflicted on our soon to be built pool.
I know that a hovering fake bird of prey has scared birds off our fruit trees, so the suggestion from Ted sounds like the go.

talkingpigeon

[Tirwin]

We had a similar situation. We have a row of aborvitae trees on one side of the pool. Last year a few birds made nests in the trees. When the eggs hatched the entire family would fly from the trees to the roof, dropping their bombs. Our pool and deck were covered. We have removed the nests this year, and continue to do so when the birds rebuild them. I am hoping that sooner or later they will get the hint. My sense is the nests may be near your pool or property as well and I recommend the same action. I like birds, but if it is a choice between a clean pool or them, I know which one I am choosing.

[kelemvor]

Many of the commercial pools in my area use the monofilament method that waste suggested. Give that a shot.