So, how to get rid of water bugs in your swimming pool?
Well, in this post, I would be walking you through various aspects of water bugs, and the best ways to get rid of them in a hassle-free manner.
Moreover, I would also be responding to queries related to water bugs to help you achieve an optimum result.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive guide on water bugs would be mind-opening for you as it comprises of water bugs introduction, ways to get rid of water bugs, and quick hacks to keep water bugs out of your pool once and for all.
Ready for the ride?
How To Get Rid Of Water Bugs In Your Swimming Pool | The Complete Guide
Trust me, the core team of yardmonkpro.com has tried to the best of its capabilities to bundle the information in one place so that you can reap maximum benefits from it.
Feel free to reach out to us via the contact form in case of any doubt or query, and our core team would be more than happy to assist you.
What are water bugs?
I own a couple of both private and commercial pools for over a decade now, and during this time, I’ve come across mainly two types of water bugs.
Water Boatmen
These oval-shaped bugs come with oar-like back legs that they use for swimming purposes.
Moreover, the water boatman loves eating algae and mosquito larvae.
Back Swimmers
As the name suggests, these bugs swim on their backs.
Moreover, they come with long legs when compared to water boatmen.
They also have an oar-like shape and swim on the surface of the water.
Back swimmer feeds on other insects including boatmen.
How to get rid of water bugs quickly and easily?
Trust me, I’ve tried as many ways as I could in order to get rid of water bugs.
To be honest, I found early success with some methods while the rest were useless.
So, today I would be discussing only those steps that have worked well for me and have given satisfactory results in the past.
Does it make sense?
Well, as per my knowledge and experience, I can affirm that the best way to get rid of a water bug is to eradicate its food source completely.
But, in order to do so, you need to be well aware of the fact, that all water boatmen and backswimmers feed upon, right?
Mainly, water boatmen eat algae, and backswimmers feed on water boatmen, it seems like a food chain, isn’t it?
Once you’ve got this information, things would become really easy for you.
Now, all you need to do is to eradicate algae from your swimming pool, and you’re good to go.
GOTTA my point?
So, moving further, we would be mainly concentrating our discussion on the various ways that could help us to achieve an optimum result.
Skim the Pool
Since most of these bugs hang out around the pool surface, it wouldn’t be difficult for you to skim most of them with the help of a net skimmer.
Brush the Pool
Another thing that you can do is brush the pool.
Since our main motive is to cut the food supply of water bugs, so if you’ll scrub down the surface of your pool, then it will help you to remove any algae spores that might be hanging out to bloom.
And, we know that boatmen feed on algae, so brushing the pool would do the needful.
Vacuum the Pool
So, I’m assuming that you’re done with the removal of both algae and debris.
Moving further, you need to vacuum your pool in order to gather up anything loose.
Shock the Pool
Shock the pool to kill the residual if any is left.
Using calcium hypochlorite for shocking your pool would do the needful.
Balance Pool Chemistry
Before you expedite the pool testing process, I would suggest you should wait at least 24 hours after shock chlorination.
Then, use an effective pool chemistry test kit to ensure that pH level, chlorine level, and alkalinity level are balanced.
Vacuum Pool Again
Yes, you heard it, RIGHT!
You need to vacuum the pool again to achieve an optimum result.
Though it’s an optional step still I would suggest you should vacuum the pool again as a precautionary measure.
Since you’re trying to completely eradicate debris and algae from your pool, so vacuuming it again would definitely be of great help.
By doing so, you would ensure that nothing is left for the bugs to feed upon.
How to keep water bugs at bay?
I always believe and convey to my clients that prevention is better than cure, isn’t it?
And, if you also believe what I’m saying is right, then stay with us, as we would be discussing some quick hacks that would help you to keep the water bugs at bay.
Are you interested in knowing these quick steps?
Maintain Pool Chemistry Levels
To be honest, on this blog, we’ve discussed several times, the importance of pool chemistry levels, and without any doubt, it is one thing that you can do to discourage algae growth.
And, once the algae growth is under control, then it would be easy for you to keep a check on water bugs.
Below are the ranges in which the essential ingredients of pool chemistry should be present in order to prevent any unprecedented event.
- pH level should fall in the range of 7.2 and 7.6
- Free chlorine should be present in the range of 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million
- The total alkalinity should fall in the range of 80 and 140 parts per million
All in all, maintaining your pool chemistry level would be the first step towards controlling water bugs.
Skim Your Pool Daily
Skimming your pool on a regular basis would do the trick for you.
Trust me, skimming your pool daily has loads and loads of benefits associated with it.
First and foremost, you can remove debris from your pool with the help of a pool skimmer net.
By doing so, you can keep track of the growth of algae.
In fact, it would also remove algae spores from the pool on a regular basis.
So, problems related to algae flourishing and blooming would be automatically solved without any hassle.
Try a Liquid Dish Detergent
Many of the newbies wouldn’t be aware of the fact that the concentrated solution of dish soap makes an excellent bug repellant.
The solution is very helpful in controlling the bug growth as it changes the surface tension of water resulting in not so favorable conditions for the bug floating.
Moreover, you can spray the solution directly onto the bugs to kill them.
You can even spray the solution around the perimeter of your pool to prevent them from entering it.
Try Algaecide
With the help of an effective algaecide, you can keep track of algae blooming.
Algaecide can help you to completely eradicate algae from your pool, and as a result, the bugs wouldn’t be getting the food so they will die automatically.
Cover Your Pool
Definitely, covering your pool with an appropriate pool cover would prevent algae and bugs from entering it.
Maintain Your Pool Pump
For clear and safe pool water, the pool pump must function properly.
The best thing that you can do is clean your pool filter and check your pool pump for calcium or other buildups as well as mechanical problems.
Turn Off Your Pool Light
Turning off your pool light can prevent insects from entering your pool.
However, keeping your pool light ON for the whole night would definitely entice insects to enter your pool and aggravate the problem.
It’s A Wrap
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
I’m hoping that you would’ve got a genuine answer to your query, how to get rid of water bugs in your swimming pool?
Moreover, I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this comprehensive guide on getting rid of water bugs.
In case, you liked our work and want to appreciate us then feel free to rate us on a scale of 1 to 5 with the latter being the best.
Coming back to the topic, water bugs are definitely a pain in the butt but at the same time, getting rid of water bugs isn’t either a time-consuming or a tedious task ONLY IF you’re willing and ready to follow the aforementioned steps.
Some of the things that you need to do on a priority basis are cleaning and skimming your pool, maintaining pool chemistry, etc on a regular basis without fail.
Last but not least, share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
[Also Read]