How to Keep Frogs Out of Your Pool

If you’re tired of hearing croaks around your pool—or worse, waking up to frogs in the water – you’re not alone. Frogs love backyard pools for the same reasons we do: water, warmth, safety, and a buffet of insects drawn to pool lights. But while frogs are harmless in nature, your pool is dangerous for them and a nuisance for you.

You’ll learn:

• Why frogs invade pools (and why at night is the worst).
• The best ways for how to keep frogs out of your pool – permanently and humanely.
• How to get rid of frogs around your pool without harming them.
• What to do with frogs, tadpoles, or eggs if they’re already in your pool.
• Whether it’s safe to swim with frogs in your pool.

Let’s make your pool a frog-free zone – the smart way.

Why Frogs Get Into Pools (And Why It Happens at Night)

Before eliminating frogs, you must eliminate the conditions that attract them.

1. Pools Look Like Predator-Free Ponds

Frogs instinctively look for still, open water to hydrate, hide, and lay eggs. Your pool is basically a glowing “vacancy” sign.

2. Pool Lights Attract Insects → Frogs Follow

Frogs eat mosquitos, moths, flies, beetles, and other bugs that swarm bright lights.
This is the #1 reason frogs hang around pools at night.

3. They Can’t Escape Once They Jump In

Unlike natural ponds, pool walls are too steep and slippery. Frogs tire out, absorb chlorine through their skin, and often die if they can’t find a ramp.

4. Warm Concrete + Grass = Perfect Shelter

Tall grass, shrubs, and damp hiding spots create perfect daytime shelter.

5. Dirty or Algae-Filled Water Looks Like “Home”

Algae growth signals a safe breeding ground to frogs.

Is It Safe to Swim in a Pool With Frogs?

Short answer: Technically, yes – but you shouldn’t.

Frogs may carry:

• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Parasites
• Algae-promoting bacteria

A frog in your pool is not dangerous itself—but the bacteria it introduces is.

And for the frog?
Chlorine dehydrates and kills amphibians quickly.
So keeping frogs out is both a health precaution and a humane responsibility.

The 11 Most Effective Ways to Keep Frogs Out of Your Pool

Below is the definitive list – tested, compiled, and refined from every expert source.

1. Turn Off Pool Lights at Night

Bright lights = bugs. Bugs = frogs.

If you’re wondering how to keep frogs out of pool at night, this is one of the simplest and most effective ways:

• Turn off deck and pool lights after sunset.
• Replace bulbs with sodium vapor lights, which attract fewer insects.
• Use motion-activated lights instead of always-on lighting.

This is the most effective way to keep frogs out of pool.

2. Keep Your Pool Pump Running to Create Moving Water

Frogs prefer calm water for resting and breeding.

Running your pump:

• Prevents still water
• Disrupts egg-laying
• Repels insects
• Reduces algae

For maximum effect:

• Run the pump at night
• Add bubbling water features (jets, fountains, spillovers)

3. Use a Proper Pool Cover (Safety or Solar)

A tightly fitted cover is the single best barrier.

Choose:

• Automatic pool cover (best)
• Safety cover (frog-proof; fits snugly)
• Solar cover (bonus: heats water & saves energy)

Avoid:

• Loose mesh covers with gaps frogs can slip through.

4. Heat Your Pool to Make It Frog-Unfriendly

Frogs prefer cool, oxygen-rich water.

Raising water temperature by even 3–5°F can deter them.

Options:

• Pool heater
• Solar rings
• Solar blankets
• Liquid solar cover

If you wondered how to keep tree frogs out of pool, this is especially effective for them, which are more heat-sensitive.

5. Use Safe, Natural Frog Deterrents Around the Pool

These irritate frogs’ sensitive skin (don’t spray them on the frog):

Coffee Grounds

Scatter around the pool perimeter.
Bonus: enriches soil around acid-loving plants.

Citric Acid Spray

Mix:

• ½ cup citric acid powder
• 32 oz water

Spray around the deck, coping, and nearby foliage every 1–2 weeks.

Vinegar + Water (1:1)

A simple, effective alternative.

Warning: These solutions can harm delicate plants—rinse after 1 hour.

6. Maintain a Clean, Algae-Free Pool

A clean pool looks less like a pond.

Weekly tasks:

• Skim debris daily
• Vacuum weekly
• Shock weekly
• Maintain pH around 7.4–7.6
• Eliminate algae immediately
• Brush walls regularly

Cleaner water = fewer bugs → fewer frogs.

7. Trim Grass and Remove Frog Hiding Spots

Frogs hide in:

• Tall grass
• Weeds
• Leaf piles
• Damp mulch
• Wood piles
• Shaded rocks
• Gaps under decks

Cut grass to under 3 inches, trim shrubs, and remove clutter.

This is one of the most powerful long-term solutions for how to keep frogs away from pool.

8. Install a Frog-Proof Pool Fence

To keep frogs out physically (especially tree frogs):

Requirements:

• Solid or fine mesh fencing
• No gaps > ½ inch
• At least 2 feet high
• Buried 2–3 inches below ground

Also improves child and pet safety—making it a high-value upgrade.

9. Build a Frog Pond Away From Your Pool (Optional but Highly Effective)

If frogs are native in your region, you can redirect them.

Key features:

• Shallow edges + deeper zones (12 inches minimum)
• Native aquatic plants
• Low-flow circulation
• No fish (they eat tadpoles)
• Rocks, logs, shelter

Place at least 30+ feet away from your pool.

This dramatically reduces frogs in the pool because they prefer the pond.

10. Provide an Escape Route: FrogLogs & Ramps

This won’t keep frogs out, but it prevents drowning.

Use:

• FrogLog
• Critter Skimmer
• SkamperRamp

Install 1–3 units around deep ends or corners.
These prevent clogged skimmers, dead frogs, and contamination.

11. Manually Remove Frogs Already in the Pool

If you want to know how to get frogs out of pool, here’s the safest method:

1. Fill a bucket with clean water.
2. Scoop frogs with a skimmer or small net.
3. Transfer to the bucket.
4. Relocate them to a pond, wetland, or shaded vegetation.
5. For eggs/tadpoles: use a bucket, relocate, or contact local wildlife services.

Never use chemicals or ammonia—they kill frogs and contaminate your yard.

How to Keep Tree Frogs Out of the Pool (Special Tips)

Tree frogs are lighter, smaller, and excellent climbers.
Add these steps:

• Use finer mesh fencing.
• Remove climbers like vines and lattice near the pool.
• Cover pool rails and ledges at night.
• Reduce vertical lighting.

They’re attracted to height—remove vertical “routes” into the area.

How to Get Rid of Frogs Around Pool (Not Just in It)

If you want to get rid of frogs around the pool:

• Turn off lights
• Remove standing water
• Fix leaky hoses/spigots
• Clear vegetation
• Reduce insect populations
• Add deterrent plants: mint, lavender, marigold, citronella

If infestation is extreme, wildlife control costs only $150–$300.

Conclusion

If you’ve been searching for how to keep frogs out of pool areas effectively and humanely, the solutions above give you a complete, long-term plan. To permanently keep frogs out of your pool:

• Eliminate lights + insects
• Cover and heat the pool
• Run the pump at night
• Trim landscaping
• Use natural deterrents
• Add physical barriers or alternative habitats

These combined methods turn your pool into an environment frogs instinctively avoid – while keeping your yard safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable.

If you found this guide useful, share it or explore more pool care resources at Pool Guard USA.