How to Control Mosquito Population Around the Pool

Controlling mosquitoes around your pool requires a strategic action plan, as this is not a one time activity, and needs to be followed and maintained on a continuous basis. To learn, how to control mosquito population around the pool; you must bring some changes and adopt certain preventive measures and follow a routine with an action plan as given in detail below.

Why are pools attractive to mosquitoes?

Yes, pools do attract mosquitoes, as mosquitoes require damp, moist and standing source of water for thriving. An unused swimming pool provides an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes. They can lay eggs there as it is not cleaned and not in-use. There is no movement in water and all chlorine has got exhausted during many days of exposure to sunlight and buildup of organic matter, fallen leaves and algae growth with pathogens.

This attracts them for laying mosquito eggs in pool, and within few days they hatch into larvae. The algae and organic contaminants in the unmaintained pool provides food source to the larvae and finally they emerge as adult mosquitoes.

For pools that are well maintained, cleaned, and regularly chlorinated are safe from mosquitoes and do not attract them, as mosquitoes do not like chlorine. There is continuous movement in water due to swimmers and pump-filtration systems. Also, regular chlorination and frequent scheduled maintenance with a chlorine pool shock secures the pool from any mosquito infestation.

How to keep mosquitoes away from pool

There are set of control measures to keep mosquitoes away from pool area. Implementing these measures ensure control over mosquito populations around the pool.

Control measures to control mosquito population around the pool

1. Eliminate standing water sources

• Pool covers and tarps: Drain any accumulated water from the folds and inner spaces of the tarpaulins and pool covers. You can use an air-blower to dry it completely after draining.
• Clean and clear pool side: Declutter and clear the area around the pool with any unused objects like pool toys, containers, accessories, etc. Even a small amount of contained or accumulated water will support mosquito eggs to thrive.
• Check for leaks and clogged drainage issues: Check your plumbing lines around the pool for any leakages and drainage issues.

2. Maintain pool conditions

• Maintain chlorine levels and pH balance: The chlorine levels, water pH, and total alkalinity should be kept at optimum levels which do not support any growth of mosquito larvae in pool water.
• Pool filters and circulation pumps: The pool water should be under circulation through a filtration system, so that there is movement in water. Therefore, at certain intervals the circulation pumps should be run to prevent mosquitoes coming around. Even if they lay eggs, the thrust due to movement and filtration will destroy any mosquito eggs in pool.
• Filter backwash: Mosquito larvae will need organic matter for their survival and therefore we must remove and clear any organic matter and debris from fallen leaves, out of the pool water. This can be effectively done by backwashing the filters with water at a high pressure.

3. Introduce mosquito predators

• Attracting dragonflies: The dragonflies are very good at controlling mosquito populations. We can attract these dragonflies in our backyard garden or near the vegetation around the pool, including other mosquito predators as covered in this article here,
  Natural Mosquito Predators: What Animals Eat Mosquitoes?
• Attracting mosquito eating birds: There are many birds which are natural mosquito predators like purple martin, swallows, wrens, cardinals, chickadees, etc. and we can attract these mosquito eating birds as covered in this article here,
  Mosquito Eating Birds: 22+ Birds that Eat Mosquitoes
• Adding larvae eating fish in garden ponds: We cannot add fish directly to the pool, but if we have any ornamental garden pond around the pool, than we must add these mosquitofish that will take care of the mosquito population in pond that will result into fewer mosquitoes around the pool.

4. Implement biological and chemical control measures

• Mosquito dunks: We can use natural larvicides like BTI, popularly known as mosquito dunks in any standing water around the pool, like ponds, birdbaths, water features, and even in the pool water as it is safe. But we should not add these mosquito dunks directly to the pool water because these makes the water less clear and they may cause algae growth resulting in surface staining.
• Chlorine pool shock: Shocking a pool with chlorine will kill any mosquito larvae in pool, will disinfect from bacteria and pathogens, and will oxidize organic matters. Thus, chlorine pool shock will give multiple benefits with pool water sanitization effect.
• Essential oil sprays: Mosquito repellent sprays made using essential oils of citronella, peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, etc. give very good protection from mosquitoes. Although temporary, but are natural mosquito repellents.
• Chemical mosquito repellents: EPA-approved insecticides can be sprayed on vegetation around the pool to get mosquito prevention for longer periods. DEET, permethrin, picaridin are few of them that can be used pre-cautiously.

5. Improve landscaping around the pool

• Cutdown overgrown grasses and shrubs: Mosquitoes hide at dark, moist and shaded spaces between the tall grasses and dense bushes. Your lawn and landscape around the pool should be well trimmed so that there are no any hiding spots for mosquitoes.
• Grow mosquito repellent plants: In your garden or around your pool you can grow mosquito repellent plants that will create a barrier for mosquitoes. Plants like lavender, marigold, sage, catnip, mint, lemon thyme, etc. will prevent mosquitoes from entering the area around the pool.
• Spread cedar mulch across the pathways and green vegetation: Cedar is a well known insect repellent and due to its strong aromatic odor mosquitoes prefer to stay away from it. We can spread some cedar mulch across the pool area, that will again deter mosquitoes.
• Burn mosquito repelling herbs in firepits: Firepits creates an open flame with smoke which is unpleasant for mosquitoes. And there are some herbs like cinnamon sticks, dried sage leaves, cedar bits and logs, dried coffee grounds, that we can burn in firepits to keep mosquitoes at bay.

6. Limit outdoor light sources

• Minimize use of outdoor lights in evening: We should minimize the use of outdoor lights in evening times, as this will attract mosquitoes. We can use yellow lights, LED’s or UV lights for bugs, which are not bright and avoid any chances of mosquito attraction to bright lights.

Action Plan to control mosquito population near pool

1. Weekly pool maintenance routine

• Maintain adequate chlorine levels, pH balance, alkalinity, etc. in the pool water
• Drain any water that has been collected on the covers, do not left any object that may collect even the spoonful of water.
• Clean the filtration system using backwash to prevent buildup of organic impurities.

2. Monthly Inspections, checks and treatments

• Use mosquito dunks or larvicides in nearby ponds and water features
• Trim poolside vegetation on a regular basis.
• Decorate your pool side garden with mosquito repellent plant based landscaping.
• Check and repair any leakages, clogged drainages, water pooling near corners, etc.

3. After heavy usage or during peaking seasons or after rainfall

• Check for any water accumulating on pool covers, containers or other surfaces.
• Clean kiddo pools, water toys, inflated pool accessories, wet towels and rugs, and any objects that may hold water.
• Clean and maintain birdbaths, pet water bowls, gardening cans, trash cans, etc.
• Check for puddle formations, marsh lands; especially after heavy rainfall.
• Re-application of mosquito repellent sprays, if needed.

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Conclusion: Measures required for keeping mosquitoes away from pool

Managing mosquitoes around your pool and preventing any infestation in the pool water is a challenging task. It involves proper pool maintenance, various preventive measures, attracting mosquito predators, biological and chemical controls, suitable landscaping, altogether with a thorough action plan.

Following these measures with a routine plan will definitely help you in managing and controlling mosquito populations around the pool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)