Water Boatmen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These are slim bugs with an oval body, large eyes, and oar-like back legs that they use for swimming. They are brown to greenish-brown in color with a length of 0.5 inches. Also known as corixids, they have long rear legs that have hairs, which they use to float and paddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The legs extend forward towards their second set of legs leaving the back to push and glide while swimming. They also have wings for flying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their food sources are algae and mosquito larvae. You may not see the algae in the pool but if they are in your pool, there’s probably algae too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Derived from their name, these 0.5 inches long bugs swim on their backs with their long oar-like legs. Their back legs are often longer than the other legs but fringed to help with skimming the water. They also have wings for flying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike the water boatmen, these light brown bugs are predatory insects that stride and skim on the surface of the water to feed off other insects including boatmen, hence carnivorous. Moreover, they can and do bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are tiny insects that have a size of between 0.25 to 6mm. A feature that make them outstanding is their tail-like appendage, or furcula, which folds beneath their abdomen. When disturbed, a this tiny creature release their furcula and spring into the air. It is this springing act from which their name is derived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Springtails are not harmful to humans or pets. They are as well not known to damage your home or plants. When in large numbers, they clump together covering a large portion of your pool\u2019s surface area as they die off. There are five ways you can use to get rid of water bugs in your pool. You have the choice of using one or all these methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often used as the first step, skimming is one of the easiest methods of getting rid of the bugs. A skimmer work likes a strainer, you scoop and collect bugs laying in the water as would with leaves or other debris. It’s an easy method but not as effective as the water bugs can fly away. So unless the bugs are dead, you’re most probably not doing much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking to get better results from skimming, you can add oil or dish soap to the water before you skim. What that does is kill off the air supply in the water\/pool, killing them off. After they’re dead, they’ll be left floating on the surface of the pool. Now all you have to do is collect the waste with a skimmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a step by step method;<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next method is to vacuum the pool. Here. You’ll need a manual vacuum rather than an automatic. This is because it’s easier to clean out where you see the dirt and debris rather than letting the machine do its thing. Remove as many sediments as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The purpose of brushing is to get rid of algae. Seeing as it’s the main source of food for the water boatmen, no food means they won’t be coming. To effectively brush the pool, empty it completely, take your algae brush and scrub the pool, sides, and surface of the pool. Brush the ladder and steps as well to get rid of all the pesky algae spores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chlorine is a killing agent that gets rid of algae and bugs with their larvae. So, using a high a pool shock like sodium hypochlorite, shock your pool. You could test the waters to ensure they are the right ph\/ alkalinity of between 7.4 and 7.6, but it’s not necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recommended dose of shock is double, but it could be triple or quadruple of the normal amount depending on the extent of infestation(the water is dark green). Here’s a quick guide on how to shock your pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Run the pump for at least eight hours to overnight, and even. 24 hours. This allows for equal distribution of chlorine. Test the waters for good chlorine levels, maintain the pool there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking to do a step by step method on cleaning the pool, use these steps;<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pool should now be safe for swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"water](\"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/water-boatmen-bug.jpg\")
Back Swimmers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Backswimmer](\"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Backswimmer-Notonecta-glauca.jpg\")
Springtails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Springtails](\"https:\/\/aquaticglee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/springtails.jpg\")
Unlike water boatmen and backswimmers, they do not rely on water as a food source, habitat or breeding environment. In most cases, springtails accidentally fall into your pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For this reason, they are considered a major nuisance by many outdoor pool owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Get Rid of Water Bugs in Pools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Skimming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vacuuming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brushing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chlorination or Shock Chlorination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Run the Pump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Preventive Measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n