New build in South Texas

[PoolDoc]

I was wondering if that critter in one of your pics was a nutria. Are the common around there?

[martinkennedy]

I was wondering if that critter in one of your pics was a nutria. Are the common around there?

There are a lot of Nutria around, my wife feeds them flour tortillas. The babies will tug at her pant leg for more

[PoolDoc]

Any pictures of that?

. . . how are you gonna keep them out of your pool?

I say that because my wife and I were swimming in a large mountain stream several years ago . . . until we discovered the bottom was COVERED with 'deposits' from another large rodent: beaver!

You might also want to investigate what human pathogens your ducks (what species are they?) and nutria may carry. Beaver notoriously carry Giardia, which is very, very chlorine resistant.

You may also want to consider replacing or supplementing your existing filter with a large DE filter. DE filtration will remove many pathogens and most protozoan cysts (like Giardia). Another option is to regularly treat your pool with polyquat (http://pool9.net/polyquat/) since it is a weak supplemental biocide, but an strong filter aid, and will enhance sand or cartridge filters capture rate on pathogens.

[martinkennedy]

Pooldoc,

Thanks for your thoughtful suggestions. The Nutria will not have access to the backyard pool. All those concrete retaining walls we put up will keep them out. When the yard is done I have some wildlife friendly deterrents that hopefully will keep ducks and other critters away from areas we don't want them in. Things like motion sensors in portable sprinklers heads I can move around, that activate and spray. A wolf silhouette with a moving tail, floating alligator head that you anchor in the water (geese hate alligators). And of course I have these girls.

[PoolDoc]

Dogs may well work. Enthusiastically, even.

[CarlD]

My dogs sure are enthusiastic!

[martinkennedy]

Egrets coming in to roost for the night