Water fleas, mosquitoes…How to get rid of insects around a swimming pool?

With summer temperatures and the sun that seems to be settling in France, the swimming season is well and truly underway. And if nothing seems to be able to disrupt your swimming, that was without counting on the presence of aquatic insects that gravitate around your pool . Tiger mosquito, water bees or even water fleas … Many of them enjoy cooling off and quenching their thirst around your pool. Especially in case of extreme heat!

The question then arises: how to get rid of these pool insects that swim or fly over your pool? Aboral gives you its valuable advice to keep mosquitoes and other insects away and fully enjoy the joys of swimming!

Why are insects attracted to your swimming pool?

In addition to the issue of cleaning and cleanliness, the presence of mosquito larvae in your pool can have an impact on the comfort and health of bathers. Indeed, in some cases, insect bites can cause itching, allergic reactions or intolerances.

To better get rid of them, it is therefore advisable to understand what attracts them. Overview of what mosquitoes like around your swimming pool!

1. A place to drink water and cool off

Like us, aquatic insects invite themselves into your pool to cool off. For them, the pool is also a huge watering hole in which they can quench their thirst. Thanks to their long hind legs, some insects – like water bugs – are able to move on the surface of the water without drowning!

And since it is a constantly humid area, the pool also appears to be the ideal place to deposit and hatch their eggs. As a guide, female mosquitoes can lay up to 250 eggs on the surface of the water!

2. An area surrounded by fruit trees and shrubs 

Is your pool surrounded by fruit trees, such as peach or cherry trees? If you're wondering why you have so many insects around your pool , look no further!

Insects – especially wasps – love to hang out around fruit trees because of the sugar they provide. The same goes for flower pots or pollinating shrubs. 

3. A place prone to stagnant water

When rainwater stagnates in the garden, it is not uncommon to see the appearance of mosquito larvae. The same goes for your swimming pool! If you have an above-ground pool, without a filtration system, remember to empty it regularly and renew the water to avoid the appearance of mosquito larvae in your pool .

If your pool is well filtered, you can sleep soundly. There is little chance that an adult mosquito will deposit its larvae in a moving pool!

How to avoid insects in a swimming pool?

Cleaning the pool with a pool vacuum cleaner

Many insects can thrive in fresh or salt water, but they depend on the presence of nutrients, such as green algae . This is particularly the case with water bugs; these brown insects, which swim upside down, love them!

To get rid of green algae and, therefore, the pests that gravitate around your pool, one of the first tips is to take the time to maintain your pool. To do this, you will need to vacuum the water in your pool daily to remove the debris and particles that have accumulated there. Once the walls and bottom are cleaned, start the filtration system to vacuum and store the dirt.

Do not hesitate to ask your pool professional for the best pool vacuums that will meet your needs and your budget.

Cover your pool with an anti-insect net

To prevent a pool bug from swimming inside your pool , install a pool cover or a pool mosquito net when you are not using it. This will help prevent mosquito larvae from appearing in your pool while you are away.

And in addition to preventing access to mosquitoes and other insects in a natural way, this type of device, perfectly waterproof, will limit the deposit of dust or leaves. Indeed, water pollution is one of the factors that contributes to the development of algae in your pond and consequently, to the appearance of water fleas, tiger mosquitoes and other aquatic insects.

Clean up the pool area

As we have seen, factors outside the pool can contribute to the proliferation of all kinds of insects. The presence of fruit trees and pollinating shrubs particularly attract wasps and bees. 

To avoid using wasp repellents around your pool, clean up the pool area. Start by picking your fruit and clearing your garden. Also remove rainwater that is stagnating at the bottom of your flower pots.

Finally, be aware that there are plants known to repel insects around your pool . This is particularly the case for geranium, lavender, mint, lemongrass, basil and rosemary. Don't hesitate to plant them around your pool to limit the appearance of insects.

Use insect repellents

Less aggressive than mosquito traps and insecticides, insect repellents are also very effective in fighting mosquitoes. Made from essential oils , these products produce an odor that mosquitoes and other insects cannot stand. On the market, you will find both liquid and solid insect repellents .

Protecting yourself and your home 

If you live in a high-risk area, protect yourself from mosquito bites by spraying yourself with mosquito repellent. In the house, use a mosquito net and/or a mosquito diffuser. Other devices, such as mosquito lamps, mosquito bracelets or citronella essential oils, are particularly effective in repelling mosquitoes.

Indeed, we must not forget that some flying insects can be vectors of diseases , such as chikungunya , malaria , dengue fever or the Zika virus . In addition to mild symptoms such as fever, aches and pains or headaches, mosquito bites can have a more significant impact on pregnant women.

As you will have understood, to stop these pairs of legs from invading your pool, you will need to ensure that the water is clean and healthy . Afterwards, it is up to you to choose between a pool cover or a natural mosquito repellent . It all depends on the number of insects that gravitate around your pool! Finally, use skin repellents and anti-mosquito devices (mosquito net, anti-mosquito bracelet, lemon product) to repel mosquitoes and fight against insects.