Ep 128. Critters 3. How to deal with some insects and animals in and around your pool.

Always one of our favorite episodes, Frank and Jacque discuss how to deal with some of the insects and animals in and around your pool and equipment.

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The Deep End Pool Podcast focuses on residential pool maintenance and may not cover commercial pool requirements. Please consult the CDC and local authorities and code requirements for commercial pool maintenance.

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00:00 introduction

07:25 Frank got bit by a dog

09:04 always look into your skimmer before you put your hand in.

10:00 Frank's injury resulting from a bullfrog in a skimmer.

11:00 skimmer baskets and attachments that allow you to empty the basket without getting your hand in the water. SkimPro, FlowSkim, and Skimmer Angel. Skim Pro and Flowskim allow flow through skimmer even when there is a lot of debris in the basket.

14:29 Frog Log, allows insects and small animals to exit the pool.

19:40 story of 3 baby opossums in a skimmer

20:50 The food chain for animals is a major cause of why different animals come to your backyard.

23:10 Cats do a great job keeping snakes away.

27:40 pool lights and other lights around the pool area will draw insects. Insects draw animals and other insects that eat those bugs. Animals follow their food.

29:22 plants and oils to keep snakes away. Cinnamon plant, onions, garlic, lemongrass, marigolds, mother-in-law's tongue

32:10 Mice and rats get in pool heater cabinets. 37:00 moth balls in heater cabinets, not in the burn chamber, will keep mice and rats from nesting. Rats and mice are very destructive.

33:15 rats in heater story.

35:40 use care and protection to protect yourself when cleaning up rat nests.

37:45 moth balls also repel lizards. lizards are known to short out circuit boards and jam up gears in heaters and control systems.

40:30 s.Make sure to use non-conductive and non-flammable wasp and insect sprays near electrical components.

41:20 wasp traps to catch and eliminate wasps.

44:40 keep ducks away from your pool. they track algae from natural water sources. Duck poop causes a lot of issues for water chemistry and plaster. Prevention: string things over the pool area, enzymes, Duck Off.

49:20 Raccoon poop is known to have deadly roundworm larvae in it that chlorine cannot kill. raccoons will pool in your pool. Bright motion sensor lights will help repel raccoons. Sprinklers may also help.

51:10 Flies, use fly traps. Do not leave food sources out. Fans in covered areas will help repel flies. They do not like wind.

52:45 Water Boatman and Backswimmers. Boatmen eat algae, back swimmers eat boatmen. eliminate algae and eliminate both

54:20 mosquitoes. bat and bird houses will help control mosquito and other insect issues.

56:40 Fire ants. get into electrical components like circuit boards and motors and short them out. Take steps to control fire ants.

58:50 essential oils for insects and animal control. cinnamon oil for ants, peppermint oil for spiders and mosquitoes, lemon grass oil to repel flies. Find a local botanist to recommend plants to help control insects and animals. Always go natural if possible.