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Bird's in pool

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 12:48pm
11 replies344 views4 members subscribed
patricia62

patricia62

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Hi there,

 I wonder has anyone any suggestions as to how to keep birds from the pool. The fact is i don't mind them having a drink(although we leave fresh water in bird house for them) the problem is the pool has a slope for disabled use, the birds stand here to drink then they poo there which rolls into the pool yuk! 

I was told not to fill the pool to this edge as it will go over the flaps around the pool. Any ideas as to what to do would be much appreciated. 

Thank you

Patricia

Rascalmate

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 8:29pm

Rascalmate

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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 8:29pm

Bird poo in any swimming pool is a serious problem.

There are many associated dreadful illnesses caused by bird poo especially pidgeon poo. 

Chlorine in many of these "poo" diseases can be ineffective.

In fact the Professional Pool Care Companys advise that it should be treated under tbe same circumstances as humon fouling, ie drain disinfect & refill. 

Yes its that bad!

You are right to be concerned, as well as the slipping ramp problem.

Pidgeon disease can be debilitating even fatal.

I remember a many years ago watching an episode of House, and they were treating the effect of pidgeon poo poisoning, the man died after first losing his sight and then dying within 24hours.

Curious to understand it was not fiction I googled the problem - I found out its fact!

I had been looking after my own outdoor pool for at that time 15 years. Wow I was now very worried.

Yes I had a problem with pidgeons bathing on my pool steps and relieving themselves. It was an unpleasant daily job trying to skoop up poo.

Solution, one :

I increased the water level to maximum making it too deep for them to wade.

Solution two : I shot them with my high powered air rifle. 

Of course I love birds it was at time heartbreaking. Fortunately I had target practised in the garden for many years and put the talent to use to humanely eradicate the pidgeons before they diseased my Family - No contest.

Please take the problem very seriously. Talk to a local pool company for advice.

Google the problem there is plenty of advice.

You have to stop it though by any means necessary.

I have just left an urbanization where the residents adjacent the pool threw bread into the pool area every morning.

Can you believe the Idiots!

Reluctant to deal with half a dozen nutters I wrote a Burofax recorded letter to the President & The Administrator that whilst this was going on I would not take responsibility on any claims from users.

Most of the time it is a total lack of knowlege by acting presidents or owners of private pools to the serious dangers of bird disease even though the knowledge is well know in the pool trade. 

Advice is available.

JaneSW

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 7:19am

JaneSW

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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 7:19am

Thanks Rascalmate.. I was completely unaware of this serious issue. 

patricia62

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 10:46am

patricia62

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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 10:46am

Hi Rascalmate, 

first of all thank you so much for the response, as someone else said I dident realise how serious this is, but I am glad to know now.

I googled lots of information about it, I also spent this morning scrubbing as much as I could from around the pool were the disabled part dips with disinfectant. I have  left the pool to fill but not before I put aluminium foil across the dip as apparently the birds dont like this! I am hoping that this works failing this, we may have to consider a pool cover which will be a huge expense. ( pool is quiet a big one )  but I would rather this bother than to have any of our visiting family pick up a serious illness. I guess these are the joys of having a pool. We lived in an old Cortijo when we first came to Spain almost a year ago now  and it dident have a pool, it was one of the first things we looked forward to on our arrival to Arboleas, so it is disappointing to say the least. again thank you so much for your expertise, you have been extremely helpful.

Patricia  

Rascalmate

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 11:23am

Rascalmate

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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 11:23am

Hi Patricia, thank you for your response.

Forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes .

Its not all doom and gloom, it is pleasurable when you have a nice clean pool, I had one for 25 years in the Uk and I took a professional training course the 2nd year as I wanted to install heating etc.

Maintain your chlorine level everyday whilst in use. Most important together with regular vacuuming coupled to regular back washing of the filter.

I have seen professional 'pool men' fail to do this.

One I spoke to who maintained pools and gardens did not even understand what backwashing was, yet he looked after about 10 community pools.

Supercharge it with chlorine when you leave to give it a good chance whilst you are away.

A pool cover is a good investment helping to keep the pool clean and of course to heat up the water for all year round use perhaps.

A larger investment, worth while when you are not residents is a "Winter Cover" that encloses off the surface of the pool completely. Perhaps considering budgeting for one when you have done the research.

I also fitted a PIR hose squirter connected to my garden hose that also tracked movement around the pool. It was not popular with birds or cats. It tracked their movement vwry accurately and fired high pressure water spirts at them (or my siblings cos I used to leave it on when they arrived just for a laugh) Obviously not suitable however if you are away.

Have a word with a Pool Shop to see what they recommend to chase birds off or discourage them.

Enjoy your Spanish breaks 😎 best regards Al

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patricia62

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:32pm

patricia62

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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:32pm

Hi there, 

So far the birds have been very annoyed as they can't get in for a drink, apart from the level of water being higher, the foil seems to be a good deterrent. I also had a bit of a brain surge, enlightened moment and am considering getting mirror files for that dip, IF the foil continues to keep them away then the files would work I hope! I am grateful for all the information you provide. So thank you again have a pleasant day,

Patricia

patricia62

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:50pm

patricia62

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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:50pm

Mirror tiles v

Rascalmate

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:53pm

Rascalmate

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Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 1:53pm

Sounds promising Patricia.

It was a pleasure to impart some experience & info, best regards Al

Karenc

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:00am

Karenc

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Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:00am

i believe putting rubber snakes around the edge of the pool keeps some of them away... we just have swollows that come to drink the wáter... maybe you could try that, get a couple of toy snakes from the chinese shops and put on slope...

patricia62

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:27am

patricia62

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Posts: 217

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Location: Arboleas

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Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:27am

Hi There,

Thank You for the information Karen, and yes someone did mention rubber snakes, so far the aluminium foil seems to be working, I will keep the idea of rubber snakes as plan b IF the birds get too used to my foil. 

have a good day and thank you again for the information 

Patricia  

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