Ducks in Your Pool? Here's What Really Works

Understanding Lo-Chlor No More Ducks, its limitations, and the most effective solutions for Perth pool owners

An all-too-common sight for Perth pool owners during duck season

It might look cute at first — a pair of ducks gliding across your pool like they own the place. But any experienced pool owner knows the reality: duck droppings contaminate your water with harmful bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella, destroy your carefully balanced chemistry, clog filters with feathers and debris, and leave unsightly stains around your pool's waterline.

If you've been dealing with persistent duck visitors, you've likely come across Lo-Chlor No More Ducks as a potential solution. Let's take an honest look at what it does, when it works, and importantly, when you might need to consider alternatives.

What is Lo-Chlor No More Ducks?

No More Ducks is a food-grade additive manufactured by Lo-Chlor that changes the surface tension of your pool water. This modified surface tension creates an uncomfortable sensation on ducks' feathers and feet, making your pool feel unpleasant for them to swim in. The product is completely safe for humans, won't affect your pool chemistry, and is compatible with all sanitiser systems including chlorine, salt, and mineral pools.

Key Features

Feature	Details
Active Mechanism	Alters water surface tension
Safety for Humans	✓ Completely safe for swimming
Effect on Pool Chemistry	✓ No impact on pH, chlorine, or other levels
Compatibility	✓ All pool types and sanitiser systems
Harm to Ducks	✓ Non-toxic, just uncomfortable
Reapplication	After heavy rain, backwashing, or water top-ups

Does No More Ducks Actually Work?

The honest answer is: it works for many situations, but not all. We've seen good results with customers dealing with adult ducks who are simply looking for a convenient swimming spot. When these ducks encounter the altered water, they typically find it uncomfortable enough to move on and find another location.

However, the product has limitations. Particularly determined ducks — especially those who have already established your pool as a regular stop — may persist despite the uncomfortable sensation. In these cases, the product alone may not be enough.

The Critical Issue: Ducklings and Young Ducks

Here's why this matters: ducklings haven't yet developed the full waterproofing oils on their feathers that adult ducks have. They rely heavily on proper water surface tension to stay afloat and maintain buoyancy. When you alter this surface tension with No More Ducks, young ducks can struggle to stay buoyant, become waterlogged, and potentially drown.

If a mother duck has chosen your pool as a nesting or teaching area for her ducklings, using No More Ducks creates a serious ethical and practical problem. The mother may continue bringing her ducklings to the pool (she's already established it as "her" spot), while the product makes it genuinely dangerous for the young ones.

The Real Solution: Pool Covers

If you truly want to keep ducks out of your pool — especially if you're dealing with persistent visitors or ducks with young — a pool cover is the only guaranteed solution.

Ducks quickly learn that a covered pool isn't worth their time and move on to find another swimming spot

When ducks encounter a physical barrier, they can't access the water at all. After a few visits where they find the pool inaccessible, they'll establish a new routine elsewhere. This is far more effective than chemical deterrents for determined ducks.

Additional Deterrent Strategies

While a cover is the most effective solution, you can also try these additional strategies to discourage ducks:

Environmental Deterrents

• Remove food sources — Don't feed ducks (or any wildlife) near your property. Ask neighbours to do the same. Ducks remember where food is available.
• Eliminate nesting spots — Keep gardens trimmed and remove dense shrubs near the pool where ducks might feel safe nesting.
• Use visual deterrents — Inflatable predator decoys (owls, snakes, crocodiles) can work initially, but ducks often become accustomed to them. Move them regularly.
• Try motion-activated sprinklers — The sudden spray startles ducks and conditions them to avoid the area. Solar-powered options are available.

Timing Matters

The most important time to deter ducks is before they establish your pool as their territory. Once a duck (especially a nesting female) has decided your pool is "home," it becomes much harder to change her mind. Early intervention with covers or deterrents during late winter and early spring can prevent the problem before it starts.

When to Use No More Ducks vs. Other Solutions

Situation	Recommended Solution
Occasional adult duck visitors	No More Ducks + visual deterrents
Persistent adult ducks	Pool cover + No More Ducks when uncovered
Mother duck with ducklings	Pool cover ONLY — do not use No More Ducks
Ducks nesting near pool	Pool cover + remove nesting habitat + professional advice
Prevention before duck season	Cover pool in late winter before ducks start scouting

What About the Ducks Already in My Pool?

If you currently have ducks (especially with ducklings) using your pool, here's what we recommend:

1. Don't panic or use chemicals — Give ducklings time to grow. Using No More Ducks or other deterrents with ducklings present is dangerous and unethical.
2. Provide an alternative — If possible, set up a shallow container of water away from the pool. Mother ducks may use it for teaching swimming basics.
3. Wait it out — Ducklings typically become independent within 50-60 days. Shock your pool thoroughly after they leave.
4. Install a cover after they leave — Once the ducks have moved on, install a cover before next season to prevent them establishing your pool as their annual spot.
5. Contact wildlife services if needed — If you're overwhelmed or ducks are injured, contact a local wildlife rescue organisation for advice.

After the Ducks Leave: Pool Recovery

Duck visits require thorough pool treatment afterwards. Their droppings contain bacteria that can survive normal chlorine levels, so you'll need to:

• Remove all visible debris with a leaf scoop
• Brush the walls and floor thoroughly
• Clean or backwash your filter
• Shock the pool with a triple dose of chlorine
• Run the filter for 24 hours minimum
• Test and rebalance water chemistry
• Consider using a phosphate remover (duck waste is high in phosphates)

Summary

Lo-Chlor No More Ducks is a useful tool for deterring adult ducks from your pool, but it has important limitations. It's not appropriate for use when ducklings or young ducks are present due to the drowning risk, and it may not be effective against particularly determined ducks who have already established your pool as their territory.

For guaranteed results, especially during Perth's duck season from August to November, a pool cover remains the most effective and humane solution. It prevents access entirely, eventually teaching ducks to find alternative swimming locations while also providing benefits like reduced evaporation, heating, and safety.

The best strategy is prevention — install deterrents or covers before ducks establish your pool as their spot, rather than trying to evict them once they've settled in.