Thoughts on Preventing Dead Chipmunks in Skimmer

[garybtru]

Hi all,

Just came back from the store and found a dead chipmunk in our skimmer. This is the second one in the past week! So I'm trying to think of a way to prevent them from getting in there... I saw someone on the forum found one in the bottom of their pool, but mine was in the skimmer, so I wonder if he crawled into it through the thumb hole on the skimmer cover and just couldn't get back out. (Poor thing!)

Walmart sells these drain strainers: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kitchen-Bathroom-Bathtub-Metal-Mesh-Hole-Sink-Strainer-Filter-Drain-Stopper-2pcs/51505635 but the diameter would need to be about 3/4" or 1". Hmm or maybe I could cut out a 1" circle piece of screen door screen and epoxy it to the bottom of the skimmer cover. Anyway just thinking out loud here. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them! Thanks!

 

[Razorhog]

Doubt it crawled in the thumb hole. Over the last 4 years I've had at least 2 dead squirrels in my skimmer, and a couple that were holding on for dear life with their noses just above the water. I feel terrible for them. Even though I hate them, lol. They have chewed up the plastic on my pump and magnalock gates. At any rate, short of putting in an "escape" ramp while you're not around I don't think there is much you can do.

 

[carlos31820]

Chipmunk probably fell in the pool and just swam into the skimmer.

You could try one of these. Frog Log

There are also replacement skimmer lids with a built-in ramp for critters to walk out of the skimmer.

 

[garybtru]

Doubt it crawled in the thumb hole. Over the last 4 years I've had at least 2 dead squirrels in my skimmer, and a couple that were holding on for dear life with their noses just above the water. I feel terrible for them. Even though I hate them, lol. They have chewed up the plastic on my pump and magnalock gates. At any rate, short of putting in an "escape" ramp while you're not around I don't think there is much you can do.

Ah yeah that's true, probably what happened. Jeeze, that sucks about your gates and pump.

...
You could try one of these. Frog Log
...

Cool haven't heard of those before, thanks! Maybe if it keeps up I'll have to get one of those.

 

[tim5055]

There are also replacement skimmer lids with a built-in ramp for critters to walk out of the skimmer.

I've looked at these:Critter Skimmer 10-Inch Round Pool Skimmer Cover

 

[mickey4paws]

Usually every spring we get a few dead chipmunks in the pool. One time I found 2 of them lying right next to each other on the floor in the deep end. It was so sad. I have found them occasionally in the skimmer. The first time I found one it was pretty upsetting. When they're wet, they look like little mice. They usually live under our porch and in spring is when at least a few commit suicide. I made a ramp from one of those plastic grate things you put over your gutter to keep leaves out and then I used a bungee cord and hooked the cord to my fence. Did it work? I don't know but we did seem to have less suicides.

I have managed to rescue a few when I was fortunate to walk outside and see one struggling in the water.

Never heard of the Frog Log either so going to check that out too.

 

[garybtru]

I've looked at these:Critter Skimmer 10-Inch Round Pool Skimmer Cover

Oh wow! that's awesome, I might have to get that actually! Not quite as "in your face" as the frog log.

Edit: Ordered! Had to get the extenda ramp, so I ordered it right from their web site. I couldn't find the extenda ramp on Amazon. Our water level is high right now and it's still 8" from just under the water surface. (The standard ramp depth is 6.25")

Thanks for the heads up!