Do Mallard Ducks Land in Your Swimming Pool?

By
Real Estate Agent with Bennion Deville Homes CalBRE# 01339266

Mallard Ducks+Swimming PoolsA pair of Mallard Ducks decided to use our swimming pool as their personal pond and toilet.

Our poolman said this was a common problem around this time of year, but he didn't have a solution to get rid of them.

I went to our local pool supply store and the owner suggested we leave a large green alligator floating in the pool. I took his advice and bought an inflatable alligator (that I've since named "Oliver") and curiously watched to see what would happen.

Sure enough, the ducks came swooping down to land in the pool, took one look at the menacing looking alligator, and flew off quaking with fright!

"Oliver" is my new favorite hero.

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Rainmaker
1,772,084
Andrew Mooers
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Can you say "swimmers itch" or "beaver fever"? Not like Cat Stratch Fever Ted Nugent sang about.

Apr 19, 2011 03:12 AM #1
Rainmaker
313,086
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

The answer is yes they do, but my pool is a lake and it's expected the Mallards will land there. Your solution is funny.

Apr 19, 2011 03:13 AM #2
Rainer
18,750
Jennifer Salems
North Shore Realty Team, Inc. - Arlington Heights, IL

Funny and good solution.  Glad it worked for you.

Apr 19, 2011 03:21 AM #3
Rainmaker
2,117,792
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes..we had them come regularly and at first, it is a sight to behold. When they return, it is like them saying that this is a must stop between destinations. then, you cannot help but wonder if they are relieving themselves in the pool. The fantasy is now over and let the alligators commence......

Apr 19, 2011 03:28 AM #4
Rainmaker
663,048
Robert Rauf
HomeBridge Financial Services (NJ) - Toms River, NJ

In NJ they always land in pools... but I would rather deal with a mallard than a goose, our real problems come from Canadian Geese that dont fly back to Canada anymore... nothing scares them away

Apr 19, 2011 04:39 AM #5
Rainmaker
183,003
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Stewart

 

Thanks for the chuckle and valuable information. I will look like a HERO from now on, for my clients that have pools. Love the simple solutions on life

Apr 19, 2011 04:50 AM #6
Rainer
298,748
Steven Pahl
Keller Williams Tampa Properties - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Consultant Tampa, FL 813-319-6423

We must have quite a few more bugs and mosquito's here in Florida than you do in Hollywood, our solution is to screen the entire pool area which keeps everything out.  Of course, the squirrels use it regularly as a short cut over the top which drives my dogs crazy.  One solution begets another problem!  Haven't you ever wondered how much "elimination" you are swimming in at the beach or in a lake?

Apr 19, 2011 04:50 AM #7
Rainmaker
621,697
Cynthia Larsen
Safe Haven Realty - Cotati, CA
Independent Broker Serving Sonoma County, CA

Great solution. Once they figure it out, they will be sitting on the alligators head.

Apr 19, 2011 05:23 AM #8
Rainmaker
482,422
Palm Springs Realtor Stewart Penn
Bennion Deville Homes - Palm Springs, CA
Bennion Deville Homes - Broker Associate

UPDATE: Oscar seems to have found his favorite corner in the pool.

I just wish he was more energetic and swam laps :)

Apr 19, 2011 05:27 AM #9
Rainmaker
377,822
Jeff Craig
Allen Tate Realtors - Greensboro, NC
Greensboro/Jamestown/Guilford Realtor/CSP/CNRS

That is a funny solution.  Ducks made a home in my neighbors pool last year.  They would occasionally visit my yard.  My dogs were not happy.

Apr 19, 2011 06:03 AM #10
Rainmaker
780,919
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

In or out of the pools here they are the messiest fowl ever.  If this works I'll be ecstatic Stewart.  We did have a live 8 foot gator patrol our pond which quelled their activity a few years ago but a safety issue came into question as you could imagine.  We'll see how it goes with vinyl instead. 

Apr 19, 2011 06:10 AM #11
Staff
804,808
Kerrie La Guardia
ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA
Let it Rain!

Yay for Oliver!  I want to go swimming!

Apr 19, 2011 10:24 AM #12
Rainer
239,602
Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.
pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA
SF NYC LA

Sometimes, the most simple solution is the best solution!  Glad "Oliver" is enjoying the southern CA sunshine...thanks for a great story.

Apr 20, 2011 02:41 AM #13
Rainmaker
294,063
David Ames
Zephyr Real Estate, San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
San Francisco

LOL...brilliant!

Apr 20, 2011 08:34 AM #14
Ambassador
3,128,409
Jeff Dowler
Solutions Real Estate - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude - Carlsbad

Stewart

LOL. We used to have ducks in our in-ground spa at our last house. They were there every spring, daily. What a great idea.

Jeff

Apr 20, 2011 02:25 PM #15
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Palm Springs Realtor Stewart Penn

Bennion Deville Homes - Broker Associate
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