Ban Pool Pests with These Tips
Your pool is your summer escape. It’s a place to relax, swim a few laps, or enjoy the fresh air. But it can also become home to some unwanted guests!
Several insect species might consider your pool to be the perfect home, and the sight of them can quickly spoil your enjoyment.
A couple of very common bugs to look out for include:
- Water boatman. These little guys are only about a quarter-inch long and are usually found underwater. They eat algae, mosquito larvae and other organic material, which almost makes them beneficial – except for the next suspect.
- Backswimmers. Skimming along the surface, these insects will eat the boatmen but they will also bite you.
Luckily, getting rid of pool pests can be a fairly easy process. Because the backswimmers eat the boatmen and the boatmen eat algae, seek ways to get the algae out of your pool, such as:
- Wall wiping. Start by thoroughly wiping down all the walls of your pool to remove any slimy growth.
- Skimming. Using a skimmer or pool vacuum will rid your pool of more algae, including some that might have broken loose from the walls.
- Shock it. With the surface algae gone, shock your pool with calcium hypochlorite to kill off what’s left. This treatment is best done at night so the sun doesn’t evaporate the product. Say goodbye to the bugs, as this treatment will kill off most of these unwanted critters.
- More cleaning. Complete the process with another wipe down and skimming to clear up any dead bugs or other debris.
Once the bugs are gone, keep them out with proper maintenance. Maintain the pH balance in the water to prevent future algae growth. You can also use an algaecide to keep algae under control if necessary.
