It can be disturbing when you find poop in pools but could iguanas really be the culprits? I remember asking myself the exact same question when I found some poop in my pool. Coincidentally, I’m also surrounded by a lot of wild iguanas. So I decided to find an answer myself online and here is what I’ve found.
Iguanas do poop in pools, unlike many animals that just defecate on land. They are very clean animals and water is a natural cue for them to poop in.
Having iguana poop in the pool is not only unpleasant but it can also be quite dangerous. Taking the proper steps to handle iguana poop in pools is vital for everyone’s health and safety. Read on to learn how you can stop all these from happening in the first place. This way, you don’t have to go through all the troubles.
Dangers of Iguanas’ Poop
All fecal material will have bacteria in them that can cause Recreational Water Illness (RWI). Many types of bacteria can be transferred through the presence of poop in the water. For iguanas, the most common bacteria is salmonella. Iguanas can carry it on their skin but more commonly in their intestinal tract. The chances of an iguana carrying salmonella are as high as 90%. Hence, there is a high likelihood that their poop will also contain salmonella. Just a mouthful of this infected water is enough to get you sick. When you see an iguana or its poop, just instantly assume that it has salmonella and treat it cautiously.
What to Do With Iguanas’ Poop In Pool?
When a pool is contaminated with iguanas poop, the first thing to do is to remove the droppings with a net. After removing it, you should remove all the water and thoroughly sanitize the pool before anyone swims inside. I recommend using 1 cup of bleach with every galloon of water. Even if the iguana just swam in the pool without pooping, you should still sanitize it for maximum safety for anyone that is going to use it afterward. Iguanas can carry salmonella on their skin and it can be transmitted through water.
Identifying Iguanas Poop
Iguanas poop is actually surprisingly complicated to identify and describe. This is mainly because iguanas usually poop and urinate at the same time… through the same opening as well. Iguanas poop consists of the pellet (solid component) and urate (liquid component). The pellet is usually brown or black and varies in size. Adult iguanas can have pellets as big as those produced by small dogs. On the other hand, the urate is a thick, clear liquid combined with a stringy white mass that is sometimes inside of the pellets.
Ways to Stop Iguanas From Pooping In Pools
Keeping iguanas from pooping in pools can be a challenge especially if you are surrounded by wild iguanas. Despite that, it can still be done if you put a little effort into it. On the other hand, if you have a pet iguana, it will be much easier to stop it from pooping in pools.
Wild Iguanas
If wild iguanas are constantly invading your pools and backyard, you are sure to find some iguana poop in the pool from time to time. The best way to stop them from pooping in your pool is to keep them away from your property altogether. Not only will iguanas poop in your pools but they will also destroy your landscape by digging holes in them. It can really be a pain when wild iguanas are constantly invading your pools and backyard. However, not to fret! There are many ways you can stop iguanas from invading your property. Using the 4 methods below should be enough to keep most, if not all iguanas out.
Putting Up Fences
The first option is to put up fences around your property. Make sure to put the fences 2 to 3 feet down the ground. If not, iguanas can easily dig under and still get through.
Grow Plants Iguanas Don’t Eat
If you have a backyard with plants that iguanas love munching on, you have to change them. When you grow plants that iguanas don’t eat, you eliminate one reason for them to come in. Here is a list of 10 plants iguanas don’t eat.
Metal Sheet Around Trees
If you are surrounded by big tall trees that hang over your pool or backyard, iguanas can jump in. They love climbing up to trees and jumping from above into the pool. Putting up metal sheets around the bottom of the trees will make it almost impossible for iguanas to climb on. Make sure the metal sheets are at least 18 inches high, if it’s too low, it’s not going to be effective.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
This is probably my favorite way of keeping unwanted wild iguanas out of my properties. Just plant a motion-activated sprinkler around the place where you don’t want iguanas to come. Not only can it keep wild iguanas out, but it can also keep a lot of other pests and animals away too. Using a sprinkler is an effective, hands-free, and humane way to keep animals out of your properties. All it does is sprinkle some water in the direction it detects motion. If you are interested in getting one of these motion-activated sprinklers for yourself, you can check the price on Amazon with this link (#ad).
Pet Iguanas
There no doubt that it’ll be easier to prevent pet iguanas from pooping in pools. You have total control over where your iguana goes. Most of the time, they are kept in an enclosure. However, it is a good idea to bring your iguana for a swim in the pool and let them exercise. On top of that, they can also experience some natural heat and sunlight. So, how do you stop them from pooping in the pool in that situation?
Taming & Training Your Iguana
Believe it or not, iguanas can be trained like dogs to go to the toilet in certain places. Some people were even able to train them to use human toilets! This can be hard to achieve. The difficulty varies depending on how tamed your iguana is. Some iguanas can be easily tamed but some are just impossible. Check out this video of an iguana pooping in a human toilet:
Swimming In Bathtub
I know… this is very obvious. If your iguana is not in the pool, it can’t ever poop there. You don’t have to bring your iguana into the pool for a swim, all you need is a bathtub. If your bathtub is big enough for your iguana, just let it swim there. There will be less clean up and it’s a lot more convenient. The only downside of swimming indoor is that your iguana will not get the natural heat and sunlight from the sun. If you do this, make sure to properly sanitize the tub before anyone uses it. Again, 1 cup of bleach per gallon is a good amount.
Conclusion
Iguanas do poop in pools and it’s natural for them to do so. Not only is it unpleasant but it also contains salmonella bacteria and it can be transmitted through water. If you ever find iguana poop in your poop, make sure to sanitize the whole pool properly before anyone swims in it. The most effective way of stopping iguanas from pooping in your pool is to keep them out altogether with the methods discussed above.
