Summer has officially arrived and with it the chance to finally return to your relaxation routine during the hot days. But, you’re not the only one who likes to spend time in the water. If you have a pool, you also probably have the unwanted “residents”, water bugs.
Not much of the world’s population appreciate bugs. They are not nice to be seen, some of them could harm you by biting, also they could ruin your time in the pool by scaring you or your friends, so it is most likely you’ll want to get rid of water bugs in the pool. And here you’ll learn just how to do that.
Types of Water Bugs
Before we get to the “getting rid of” part, let’s quickly learn what types of water bugs you could find in your pool. The most common are two types, a bug called Water Boatmen and the other, and a far more common is the Backswimmer.
Water Boatmen are small, brown, and oval bugs who feed on microorganisms and algae from your pool. Also, they use algae to lay their eggs. But don’t worry, although it is not a very nice thing to see Water Boatmen swimming around next to you while you’re trying to relax from a hard day or week at work, they can’t harm you as they do not bite.
The second type of water bugs is a different story. Backswimmers are light-colored insects who skim the top of the water. And they do not feed on algae, but they’re hunting other insects they manage to catch in the pool. Another big difference is the fact that Backswimmers are far less polite visitors, as they tend to bite. And their bite is similar to the bee sting, so the chances are it will ruin your time in the pool if you run into one of those.
Removing The Bugs By Shocking Your Pool
The safest and sure way to remove the bugs from the pool is to shock your pool. It will change the atmosphere in it and make it unsuitable for their life. To do it, you’ll need:
- Chlorine Shock – Calcium Hypochlorite
- 5-gallon bucket
- Stir stick
- Pool brush
- Protective gloves
- Protective eyewear
Once you’ve got the needed stuff, it’s time to shock it. You’ll have to follow some steps to do it properly, but once you finish, your pool will be free of bugs, at least for some time.
Wait for the nighttime, because if you do it during the day, the sun will burn the chemicals quickly and it will be far less effective. Start by filling a 5-gallon bucket with water and add one lb of pool shock (you’ll need 1lb per 10,000 gallons of water in your pool), then stir the mix until the shock completely dissolves in water. When it is dissolved, make sure your pool is running and pour the mix down the perimeter of the pool. After that, repeat the process.
Getting Rid Of The Algae
When you’re done with the shocking part, it is time to finish the job. Take the pool brush and scratch the algae off from the sides and the bottom of your pool, and collect the ones on the surface with the skimmers. You’ll need to do this because Water Boatmen feed on the algae and removing it from the pool means no food for them, so they’ll switch to the other place. And they’ll take the Backswimmer with them because Backswimmers eat the Water Boatmen.
Keeping The Bugs Away
Once you’re done with eliminating them, it is time to find out how to keep them away from your pool and stop them from getting in it in the first place. The first thing that will help you with keeping them away is a pool cover. Although not enough as it will only stop the bugs from invading your pool, it is a good start.
Another thing you’ll find useful is an algaecide. This will prevent algae from spreading and without the algae, the bugs cannot survive. But, the most important thing is to keep your pool clean, vacuum it and brush it from time to time and the problem should disappear.
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The time we spend in the pool during summer is not only pleasant for our bodies while we’re in the water, but it also has a great mental impact, as it brings us a sense of joy, helping us relax and rest. So, having an issue with the bugs could be not just unpleasant, but also really stressful as it prevents us from much-needed relaxation.
If you have this problem, do not fall into despair or depression, the solution is easy. Simply follow these guidelines and tips and you’ll have your swimming pool back in a no-time.
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