How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Bugs
There is nothing better than unwinding on a hot sunny day and taking a cool refreshing dip. But when you remove the pool cover, you face the unsightly presence of pool bugs. These bugs can be problematic for many pool owners. However, getting rid of them is pretty easy. This blog explores the reasons why your pool may have bugs, which ones are dangerous and effective methods to getting rid of them once and for all.
Table of Contents
- Why Are There Little Swimming Bugs in My Pool
- Swimming Pool Bugs Types
- Which Water Bugs in the Pool Are Dangerous
- Methods to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Bugs
- Conclusion
Why Are There Little Swimming Bugs in My Pool
One downside of having a pool is dealing with various bugs that find their way into the water.
- Attractive Environment: Your pool is a body of water that stays in one place, so it is easy for these creatures to swim there. Ponds and backwaters are the natural habitats of water boatmen and backswimmers.
- Low Chlorine Levels: The presence of insects is directly proportional to the concentration of residual chlorine (1-3 ppm) in the pool. If the chlorine is below this concentration, these insects can thrive and, therefore, increase in numbers.
- Poor Water Circulation: As water remains immobile due to a weak pump and the buildup of debris, these bugs start to move in and become their shelter.
- Nearby Sources: They swam in from the other sources where they ever existed, like small streams, ponds, and plants close to your pool area.
- Organic Debris: Algae, leaves, or other matter in the pool provides food or shelter, drawing them in.
Swimming Pool Bugs Types
When the weather is hot, swimming pools are full of water bugs. Water boatmen, diving beetles, and giant water bugs can bite and be painful, whereas water boatmen do bite but are not deadly at all. Here are some common swimming pool bugs types found in pools.
| Bug Type | Description | Behavior | Biting Tendency |
| Water Boatmen | Small, oval-shaped, brown or greenish-brown, <1/2 inch long | Feed on algae, swim using oar-like legs | Do not bite humans |
| Backswimmers | Slim, brown with long legs, swim on backs, <1/2 inch long | Predators, feed on other insects, can fly | Can bite, painful like a bee sting |
| Diving Beetles | Brown, oval-shaped, predatory, various sizes | Hunt small fish, tadpoles, and insects, can fly | Can bite, rare but painful |
| Giant Water Bugs | Large, flattened, tan or brown, up to 2 inches long | Ambush predators, feed on small vertebrates, can fly | Can bite, very painful, lasts 2-5 hours |
Which Water Bugs in the Pool Are Dangerous
The swimming water bugs in the pool are dangerous, while not disease carriers through bites, vary in their potential to cause pain:
- Water Boatmen: They are good because they eat the algae, but they do not bite and do not harm anybody.
- Backswimmers: They sting much like bees, but they disappear and recover naturally after a couple of hours, the bite causes a burning sensation for several hours.
- Diving Beetles: You may get a hurt bug if you mess around with them, but it's not a problem, you may just be a little bit of pain and it will disappear very soon. The divers are not harmful insects and their bites are usually not serious and they heal quickly.
- Giant Water Bugs: Have the most severe bite, causing extreme pain lasting 2-5 hours, sometimes requiring painkillers, described as feeling like a stab.
While backswimmer and diving beetle bites resemble bee stings, giant water bug bites are significantly more painful. Importantly, bites from these swimming bugs are not venomous and do not transmit diseases to humans.
Methods to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Bugs
A multi-faceted approach is necessary to effectively eliminate these bugs, addressing both immediate removal and long-term prevention.
1. Identification & Prevention:
- Identify the type of bug: The bugs living in your pool are not all alike. If you want to take the advantage of getting rid of the bugs in your pools, you need first to diagnose which kind of bug among them is. The most common are: water boatmen, backswimmers, which are sources of food for pond fish, mosquito larvae, midge larvae, and diving beetles types.
- Use a pool cover: If you do not use your pool often, make sure it is covered, so as to avoid bugs intrusion and egg-laying.
- Use borax around pool decking: Mix the Borax with some water during the dusk to prevent bugs from entering the pool through the small openings of the sewage.
2. Regular Cleaning & Maintenance:
- Remove debris: Regularly remove bugs, leaves, and debris on the pool surface.
- Vacuum the pool: Clean the pool floor to remove algae, sediment, and bug food sources.
- Brush the pool: Brush walls and floors to eliminate algae and biofilm buildup.
- Balance pool water: Keep your pool water balanced with proper chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels to inhibit algae growth and make the pool less attractive to bugs.
- Run pool equipment: Run your pool pump and filter system for sufficient hours daily to ensure good water circulation, which helps remove organic matter and prevent algae.
3. Bug Removal & Control:
- Shock the Pool: Use pool shock (chlorine) to kill bugs and algae. Follow product instructions for safe shocking.
- Bug Repellent: For stubborn problems, try bug repellents or algaecides that are safe for pools and follow the instructions. Be sure they are safe for swimmers.
- Dish Soap: At night, turn off exterior lights, place a spotlight at the deep end, add 2-3 teaspoons of liquid dish soap (use sparingly to avoid chemistry disruption) where light shines.
Conclusion
Getting rid of pool bugs is easy! By identifying the type of pool bug, you can effectively eliminate them either by cleaning the pool thoroughly, shocking the pool, or adding bug repellants. Regular pool maintenance is essential to keeping these stubborn bugs at bay.