Effective Ways to Keep Frogs Out of Your Pool

Why Are Frogs Invading Your Pool?

To begin dealing with the issue, it’s important to understand why you have frogs in the pool in the first place. In general, there are a number of possible reasons. 

• Frogs are amphibians and naturally attracted to water, i.e. your pool, especially during dry periods.
• Pool water (and lights) tend to attract insects, which are exactly what frogs are looking to eat.
• Just like you love the serenity of your pool, frogs may take this characteristic as the  perfect breeding ground, choosing to lay eggs there.
• If you live near a pond, lake, or other bodies of water, or an area with lots of vegetation, you're more likely to have frogs due to the sheer proximity.

Are Frogs In My Pool Dangerous?

What’s the problem with having frogs in your pool you may ask? Well, there are several actually, and each is quite significant.

• Contamination. Frogs, like any animal, produce waste. Their droppings can introduce bacteria and other contaminants into the pool water, potentially affecting its chemical balance and clarity.
• Hygiene. Dead frogs in the pool are a significant hygiene issue, not to mention pretty disgusting. Decomposition releases organic matter that can foul the water, and create a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Chemical imbalance. The introduction of organic matter from frogs can throw off the swimming pool's chemical balance, requiring more frequent and intensive chemical treatments.
• Filter clogging. Debris and organic matter from frogs (and yes, even dead frogs themselves) can clog filters, reducing their efficiency and requiring more frequent maintenance.
• Aesthetic issues. For some people, let’s be fair, the presence of frogs in the pool is simply unpleasant.

How to Keep Frogs Out of the Pool

There are a number of measures you can take to ensure a frog repellent pool. The first group are physical options for removing the frogs, while the second are deterrence and prevention options you should consider.

Methods to Physically Remove Frogs From Your Pool

Once they’re in the water, how to get rid of frogs in your pool requires physical removal. Your main options are using a net to scoop them up, or your hands if they’re nearby and you’re not too cringy.

There are also special devices, like floating platforms with a ramp, that can provide an easy way for frogs to climb out of the water on their own, though that’s not a guarantee.

6 Frog Deterrence Strategies

The better option is going to be addressing how to keep frogs out of your pool from the start. The solutions for this are actually quite simple, and part of good general pool maintenance.

1. Maintain proper pool chemistry. That is, ensure your pool's pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels are properly balanced, as a clean, well-maintained pool is less attractive to frogs.
2. Modify lighting. One easy way is to dim or turn off outdoor lights at night. Since both frogs as well as the bugs they eat are attracted to lights at night, this tip actually has a two-fold benefit. You may, by the way, want to try other tactics for keeping bugs away from your pool.
3. Remove hiding places. Keep the area around your pool clear of debris, vegetation, and other potential hiding spots, and trim overgrown bushes and shrubs.
4. Install a fence or barrier. A fence around your pool is a great safety measure in general, (especially with kids around), and also a great way to stop frogs from entering your pool. To prevent them from hopping under or through, you’ll want a solid barrier, like a glass fence or tightly meshed aluminum or wrought iron design.
5. Cover the pool. A swimming pool cover is an easy way to prevent frogs from accessing the water when the pool is not in use. 
6. Try a repellent. Some people have had success with commercial frog repellents, while others claim that placing citrus peels around the pool is an excellent frog deterrent.
7. Use a robotic pool cleaner. By removing debris and better circulating water, a pool robot maintains water cleanliness and hygiene, and prevents stagnation, which can make the pool less attractive to frogs. Plus, the movement of a pool robot may deter frogs too.

While each of these tips are useful on their own, used in combination, they can be especially effective in keeping frogs away from your pool. And in so doing, will get rid of tadpoles and frog eggs in the swimming pool over time, as the critters won’t be able to reproduce there either.

However, if you’ve tried all the above strategies, and still have frogs in the pool, it may be time to seek professional help from pest control or similar services.

What if the Frogs Come Back? 

Persistence is undoubtedly the name of the game when it comes to keeping your pool frog free. As such, it may take some time and effort to completely eliminate frogs from your pool, especially if you live in an area with a large frog population.

Tip: Do not, however, use chemicals or pesticides in the water to get rid of frogs, as these can be harmful to both frogs and humans alike.

Conclusion

If you already have frogs in your water, don’t despair. It shouldn’t be particularly hard to get them out. After that, to keep frogs out of your pool, it’s essential to focus on maintaining a clean and balanced environment, that is wonderful for you, and less attractive to them.