You might have seen the pests hovering and floating inside your pool water. These uninvited guests can spoil your pool’s swimming fun, even if they are not harmful. Why do these bugs frequently visit your pool? Guess what! They come after the pool algae, regardless of how your pool might gleam.
This blog uncovers the different types of water bugs and the best ways to get rid of them in the pool. It also focuses on how to remove algae (a food source for water bugs) to prevent these pests from coming back in the future.
What are pool water bugs?
Pool water bugs refer to various swimming bugs in pools. They are not aquatic but come to the pools for several reasons. These bugs feed and reproduce in the pool water during the summer season.
What are the different types of pool water bugs?
There may be several types of pool water bugs, but the most commonly found pool insects are:
- Water Boatman
- Backswimmers
- Mosquitoes
1. Water Boatman
Water boatmen are brown-green, oval-shaped bugs with giant eyes and long, spindly legs. Boatman bugs in the pool can be seen floating, buzzing, and paddling around the pool. These pests love to feed on algae and other insects’ larvae.
Water boatmen can be annoying, but they don’t bite. If you see a lot of water boatmen around your pool, it is a sign that your pool algae is growing.
2. Backswimmers
Backswimmers in the pool are skinny brown insects with long legs that swim or fly across your pool. They are similar in shape and size to water boatmen. The only way to distinguish them is to see how they swim— on their backs.
Backswimmers are predatory pests that feed on other insects, especially water boatmen. One thing you should watch out for is that they bite.
3. Mosquitoes
We all know mosquitoes flourish in water and humid environments. Mosquitoes indicate a neglected pool and backyard. Having mosquitoes hovering over your pool and backyard is not a good sign. You should get rid of them, as they can cause diseases.
Why do you have water bugs in your pool?
You have a question about why your pool attracts water bugs! You are not alone. Every pool owner dislikes these uninvited guests at pool parties in the summer. Water bugs in the pool come after the growing algae inside the pool water. They feed and lay eggs inside the algae.
Water boatmen feed directly on algae. The pool’s algae is a rich food source and a place of reproduction for these insects. When you see water boatmen, you will see backswimmers as they feed on them. Mosquitoes are caused by a lack of maintenance in the pool and backyard.
How do you get rid of water bugs in a pool?
Pool owners frequently ask how to get rid of water bugs in the pool. There are two ways to do this: catch and kill them directly or eliminate their food source, the algae. Here is how to do it more efficiently.
Skimming might remove water bugs by catching them through a pool skimmer or telescopic pole. However, this process may be ineffective and time-consuming, as these bugs can fly in a flash.
It’s Time to Focus on Algae Prevention!
The aforementioned manual removal of the water bugs is a temporary solution. You can hardly catch or kill these bugs. You will see their number increase until you control their food source. As these bugs eat and reproduce in the pool algae, it’s better to treat your pool algae.
Here is how to do it:
- Water Testing
- Filter Cleaning
- Brushing the pool
- Pool Vacuuming
- Shocking the Pool
1. Water Testing
Test the pool’s water and its chemical balance. Imbalanced pool chemistry can result in algae growth. It will also help with the shock treatment amount required for your pool. The average chemical levels for your pool water are as follows:
- pH: 7.6 to 7.8
- Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
- Cyanuric Acid: 25–75 ppm
- Free Available Chlorine: at least 2.0–2.5 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
2. Filter Cleaning
Check the trapped debris and contaminants in your pool filter. The growing algae indicates that the pool filter isn’t working correctly. If there is any visible wear, you can backwash or replace the filter cartridges or change the filter.
3. Brushing the pool
Brushing the pool’s surfaces with brushes or scrubbing the pool walls with broken chlorine tablets will loosen the algae. Try to reach and extensively brush the corners, pores, stairs’ corners, or other hard-to-reach pool surfaces.
4. Pool Vacuuming
Manually vacuum the pool for dirt and other debris. It will help in eliminating the maximum amount of algae.
5. Shocking the Pool
Pool shock is the solution to every algae problem. It raises chlorine and other chemical levels for the efficient killing of algae. If the routine pool shock isn’t working, add 2 pounds of hypochlorite shock per 10,000 gallons of water.
Why does my pool attract water bugs when it is sparkling clean?
Your pool doesn’t look green or black but attracts water bugs! Your pool may look clean and well-maintained, but it may invite these disliking pest swimmers. The answer is that algae are microorganisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Even if the pool looks crystal clean, the algae might not be visible.
How do I keep water bugs from coming back?
Here is a hack: keep out water boatmen from your pool; the backswimmers won’t come. Pool owners follow our preventive measures to keep water bugs from returning.
- Check your pH, chlorine, and other water chemical levels regularly after heavy usage or during hot days.
- Use quality algaecides to kill and control algae.
- Cover your pool with a pool cover.
- Clean your water filter regularly.
- Run the water pump for at least 8 hours a day.
Silverline Pools: Best Company for a Sparkling Clean Pool
We have good news for busy families and other pool owners. Silverline Pools’ experience and expertise give you worry-free swimming from bugs and algae. We ensure that your pool algae is wholly wiped out so the water bugs will not have any reason for unnecessary visits.
With our modern and environment-friendly algae-removing techniques and algaecides, there will be no sign of algae in your pool. Hundreds of pool owners enjoy hassle-free swimming thanks to our weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, and seasonal pool maintenance and cleaning.
What pool cleaning services do Silverline Pools provide?
Here are our comprehensive pool cleaning services for a healthy and crystal-clear pool:
Pool Inspection
- Skimming & Surface Cleaning
- Filter Cleaning
- Brushing Walls and Tiles
- Vacuuming
- Water Chemistry Balancing
- Post-Storm Cleanup
- Opening/Closing Pool for the Season
Frequently Asked Questions
Do saltwater pools attract water bugs?
Both chlorinated and saltwater pools can attract water bugs. Pool water may also attract other crawling critters, wasps, and bees.
Do mosquitoes lay eggs in pools?
Pools or puddles of water are the favorite places for saltmarsh mosquitoes to lay eggs and reproduce.
Are water boatmen and backswimmer bugs harmful?
Water boatmen and backswimmers are not harmful and don’t pose any health threats. However, backswimmers sting like bees.
What kills water bugs instantly?
The boric acid solution can kill water bugs instantly.
Conclusion
The water bugs feed and lay their eggs inside the pool algae. Even if the pool is clean and clear, microscopic algae inside the pool water attract these bugs. Though not harmful, pool owners always look for new techniques to kill and eradicate them.
One way is to catch and kill them manually. However, we recommend removing the pool algae for long-term water bug prevention. For professional green algae and black algae removal, contact the experts at Silverline Pools to ensure a swimming experience free of water bugs and algae.
