Get rid of insects in your pool

Your swimming pool is a place of relaxation and pleasure, but in summer it attracts numerous insects. From mosquito larvae to earthworms...this can make swimming discouraging, and spoil the fun! Their presence can impact the quality of your pool water if these undesirables aren't removed quickly. Here's how to get rid of them and keep your water crystal-clear.

How do I get rid of mosquito larvae in the pool?

Au-delà de l’aspect désagréable de la présence d’une colonie de larves dans votre piscine, les larves peuvent obstruer les systèmes de filtration et les skimmers, et ainsi réduire l’efficacité de votre système de traitement de l’eau. Les larves de moustiques ressemblent à des vers de quelques millimètres généralement de couleur sombre ou translucide. En observant attentivement la surface de l’eau de votre piscine, on peut observer de petites ondulations à la surface de l’eau. Enfin, si vous remarquez une augmentation de moustiques autour de votre piscine, en particulier au lever et coucher du soleil, il est fort probable que des nids aient été pondus dans l’eau.

Prevent mosquitoes

To prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in the pool (spring period), it's a good idea to eliminate all places where there may be stagnant water. This applies in and around the pool: pool covers or shutters, flower pots, saucers, buckets, etc. Similarly, the area around your pool should be kept clean and free of dead leaves.

Of course, cleaning your pool regularly helps prevent this problem. Use your landing net to regularly remove leaves, debris and insects from the surface of the water. The use of chlorine or white vinegar, with their characteristic smells, is one way of keeping them away for good.

Treatment against larvae and mosquitoes

The first thing to avoid larvae in the water is simply to activate your filtration system! In fact, the water movements created by filtration make them flee.

To eliminate mosquito larvae in areas where there is less water circulation, larvicidal products are available in granulated or liquid form. They are specially designed for swimming pools to eliminate mosquito larvae in the water.

Repellent solutions against mosquitoes adults do exist. These are most often flying insect repellent tablets based on essential oils that can be dissolved in water. As with all powerful chemicals, follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.

Another, more natural method is to design your garden so that it's conducive to the presence of bats. These adorable, harmless nocturnal creatures devour around 3,000 mosquitoes every night. Installing small nests in trees in winter will encourage their presence from spring onwards. Of course, you need to keep light pollution to a minimum after dark, so that they feel at ease.

How to get rid of earthworms in the pool?

For many pool owners, the hunt for earthworms is a recurring problem. Earthworms are attracted by moisture and organic matter such as leaves and grass clippings. They are often found trapped in the shutter area, which is an ideal place for them to nest. They can also be found at the bottom of the pool, trapped by the height of the coping or in the skimmer baskets.

Tips for repelling earthworms

The first thing to do to keep worms out of your pool is to protect your surroundings. Flowerbeds and hedges around the pool are very pretty, but where there's dirt, there's often worms. Terraces around pools are not only aesthetic and functional, they also act as a barrier against all kinds of insects. It's best to use potted plants and keep your landscaping as far away from the pool as possible. If, despite this, you still find worms in your pool, you can create a physical barrier between the soil and the terrace, such as a metal or stone border. The idea is to discourage earthworms from entering the area.

Limit the presence of earthworms naturally

It's not advisable to use chemicals to kill earthworms, which play an important role in the ecosystem. However, crushed limestone is quite effective at naturally repelling earthworms. The crushed limestone spreads all around your pool terrace. This raises the pH of the soil and scares them away.

Secondly, you can help the presence of natural predators of worms, such as birds, which are often a great help in controlling their population. Installing feeders in winter will allow them to stay and nest in spring.

Regular pool maintenance

Finally, on a daily basis, don't forget to clean your pool:

• Get into the habit of covering the pool from evening to early morning, and during rainstorms and thunderstorms. This will minimize the presence of worms in the water and limit evaporation, so you'll use less water.
• Regular manual cleaning of your pond is the most effective method! Use a landing net on the surface to remove floating insects and debris, and a brush vacuum cleaner to suck up insects from the bottom.

As a last resort

Chlorine shock treatment, which consists of temporarily increasing the chlorine level in your pool, kills bacteria, algae and, of course, pool worms. This keeps your pool clean and healthy. You need to check your pool's water pH, total alkalinity and chlorine level. Once these parameters are known, pour the right amount of product directly into the pool.

What you need to know to avoid insects in your pool

In conclusion, all these strategies are only effective if carried out regularly and correctly. Regular cleaning, the use of natural predators and landscaping are all essential to keeping your pool free of worms and larvae. Without a regular maintenance routine, it will be very difficult to keep your pool free of worms and larvae. To enjoy your pool all summer long, keep it clean in and around your pool all year round.