A raccoon in your pool needs immediate action to protect both the animal and your family’s health. Raccoons can carry raccoon roundworm, leptospirosis, and other pathogens in their droppings.
If a raccoon has been in your pool, the water must be treated before anyone swims. This guide covers rescue, cleanup, and prevention.
- Remove the raccoon from the pool using a skimmer, pool float, or ramp. Do not touch it directly.
- Shock the pool heavily and run the filter for at least 24 hours after removal.
- Install a Skamper-Ramp or FrogLog to give wildlife an escape route, and read my raccoon control hub for long-term prevention to give wildlife an escape route from your pool.
- Trim overhanging tree branches to keep raccoons out, and secure your garbage cans to stop drawing them in near the pool edge to prevent raccoons from falling in.
Rescue the Raccoon From the Pool
If you find a raccoon in your pool, act quickly but calmly. A panicked raccoon may drown or injure itself trying to escape.
- Put on heavy-duty gloves. Raccoons can bite and scratch even when exhausted. Wear leather or thick rubber gloves.
- Extend a rescue tool. Use a pool skimmer, float, or a sturdy branch. Let the raccoon grab onto it. Do not try to grab the raccoon directly.
- Guide the raccoon to the shallow end or a ramp. If you have a Skamper-Ramp or FrogLog installed, guide the raccoon toward it. Otherwise, lift the raccoon gently with the skimmer and place it on the pool deck.
- Let the raccoon leave on its own. Once out of the water, the raccoon will likely run away. Do not corner it. Give it a clear escape route.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the raccoon appears injured, exhausted, or disoriented. Do not attempt to care for it yourself.
Raccoon droppings can carry raccoon roundworm, a parasite that can cause severe neurological damage in humans if ingested. Never clean raccoon droppings from the pool deck without wearing protective gear. Always wash your hands thoroughly after any contact with pool water that may have been contaminated.
Clean and Sanitize the Pool
- Remove visible debris. Use a skimmer net to remove leaves, droppings, and other debris from the water.
- Test and adjust pH. Balance the pH to 7.2-7.6 before shocking.
- Shock the pool heavily. Raise chlorine to a high level following CDC guidance for raccoon contamination. Run the pump and filter continuously for at least 24 hours.
- Vacuum the pool. After 24 hours, vacuum the pool thoroughly. Use a wet vacuum with a HEPA filter if available.
- Test the water. Before swimming, test chlorine levels. They should be back to normal range (1-3 ppm). Do not swim until levels are safe.
Prevent Future Incidents
| Prevention Method | Effectiveness | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skamper-Ramp or FrogLog | Excellent | Low |
| Pool cover | Excellent | Varies widely |
| Trim overhanging branches | Good | Minimal |
| Motion-activated lights | Moderate | Low |
For more pool safety, read my raccoon roof guide and attic removal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Raccoon droppings can contain harmful pathogens. You must shock the pool, run the filter for at least 24 hours, and retest the water before swimming. Do not swim until chlorine levels return to normal.
Yes. Raccoons are good swimmers but can become exhausted and drown if they cannot find an exit. Without a ramp or ledge, they may swim in circles until they tire. An escape ramp is essential for wildlife safety.
Cover the pool when not in use, install motion-activated lights, trim tree branches, and remove food sources from the pool area. A Skamper-Ramp provides an escape route if a raccoon does enter the water.
A sturdy pool cover can prevent raccoons from entering the water, but raccoons can walk on pool covers and may damage them. Automatic covers are more effective than manual covers. Always secure the cover tightly.
The Bottom Line
A raccoon in your pool is a health hazard that requires immediate action. Rescue the animal using a skimmer or ramp, then shock the pool heavily and run the filter for at least 24 hours.
Prevent future incidents by installing a Skamper-Ramp, covering the pool, and trimming tree branches. An escape ramp is the single most important investment for wildlife safety around your pool.
