10 Types Of Swimming Pool Bugs And How To Get Rid Of Them

There are a variety of bugs that can infest your swimming pool. Let us know the ten types of swimming pool bugs and how to get rid of them. They can leave a nasty bite on you while swimming in the pool.

To eliminate these bugs, you must eliminate the conditions that attract them, or they will continue to infest your pool.

There are a variety of bugs that you can find in swimming pools. While most of them are harmless, there are a few that can cause some damage. Some of these bugs are huge and can even rip open your skin with their mandibles. 

10 Types Of Swimming Pool Bugs And How To Get Rid Of Them

There are many types of swimming pool bugs that you can find in the water. These include springtails, water boatmen, backswimmers, and giant water bugs. While most of these bugs are harmless, they can become a nuisance if they are not dealt with properly.

There are various ways to eliminate these bugs, including chemical treatments or manual removal methods.

Springtails in the swimming pool

Springtails are jumping water bugs found in swimming pools. They are small and brown, and you can usually see them jump when you disturb the water.

Springtails live and breed near moist areas, like bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. If they are not treated, they can quickly become a problem in your pool.

They are often brought in through the hose bibs and filters in the swimming pool. Springtails are found outdoors in moist areas near decaying organic matter or thick vegetation around a pool with moist soil beds.

They can also live in swimming pools that have not been properly chlorinated or shocked.

swimming pool bugs

Water Boatman Bugs In Pool

Water boatman bugs are a type of bug found in swimming pools. They are small and black and can often be seen swimming around. There are several ways to eliminate water boatman bugs, including pool chemicals and nets.

In addition, water boatman bugs can quickly multiply if not eliminated. They feed and lay eggs on algae, so they can be easily overlooked even though they may be small in size.

Backswimmers in the pool

Backswimmers are predators that swim upside down in the pool. They are often mistaken for mosquitoes because of their similar appearance. They hunt adult water boatmen bugs, larvae, and other tiny bugs.

backswimmers with its distinct legs

If you have a buggy pool, backswimmers floating in your pool are only a matter of time.

If you have a swimming pool, there’s a good chance that backswimmers will find their way into your water sooner or later.

These bugs live in water and feed on small organisms. They are commonly found in pools and lakes outdoors, but they can also make their way into indoor pools.

Giant Water Bugs

The Giant water bug is a top predator that can get into your swimming pool and start feeding on other bugs. They are large, brown, and have a long beak-like mouth. 

Giant water bugs, members of the Belostomatidae family, are often found in swimming pools. These inch-long creatures are not harmful to humans but can be a nuisance.

You can eliminate them by using a net or scoop and then disposing of them in a trash can.

Dytiscidae (water beetles)

The predaceous diving beetle is a water beetle found in most parts of the United States. They are oval-shaped, have a shiny, smooth back, and come in three colors—brownish, black, or olive.

Great Diving Beetle, dytiscidae

These beetles are predators and feed on small aquatic animals such as mosquito larvae, other insects, and fish.

Predaceous diving beetles are a type of water beetle that can be found near swimming pools and other bodies of water. These beetles have fully developed wings, which allow them to fly well. They usually fly at night in search of food.

Once they find a swimming pool or other body of water, these beetles will quickly absorb oxygen before diving into the water.

One unique thing about these beetles is their way of swimming; they use their hind legs to paddle through the water, which sets them apart from other swimming pool bugs.

Jesus Bugs In Pool

Jesus bugs, also known as water striders, can walk on water’s surface with their long legs. They are often found in swimming pools and indicate the presence of other bugs, such as pool mites and thrips. If you see Jesus bugs in your pool, it is important to take steps to get rid of them.

They’re harmless and usually die within a day or two, but you can get rid of them sooner by using an insecticide.

Pool Mites in the Pool 

Pool mites are tiny red and orange bugs that live in pools. They become rampant in pools after rains when you leave your pool uncovered. Use chlorine tablets or shock your pool with chlorine.

Pool Mite

They are attracted to swimming pools when their food source, algae, is present. If there is an infestation of pool mites, they can be difficult to get rid of.

Gnats in the swimming pool

Gnats are attracted to pools because of the moisture and the potential for food. They can be difficult to eliminate, but there are a few things you can do to try and reduce their numbers.

While swimming in a pool, you may be bothered by gnats. Gnats are tiny flying insects that swarm together in large numbers. They can be a nuisance when around pools and can cause people to feel itchy and uncomfortable.

Mosquitoes in the swimming pool

To lay their eggs, mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, particularly stagnant water. If your swimming pool is not used regularly, you may find that mosquitoes will lay their eggs on the water’s surface.

Once hatched, these larvae will attract other types of bugs, such as backswimmers, to your pool.

Black and white spotted mosquito on the surface of water

Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, and they can breed quickly in a swimming pool. Swimming pools provide both standing water and warm temperatures, making them ideal for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

Mosquitoes can spread malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus.

Thrips In Swimming Pool

Thrips are minute, slender insects that can be found in swimming pools. They are often difficult to detect, but you can usually see them stuck to your skin after getting out of the pool. It is important to take steps to prevent them from entering the pool in the first place.

This includes keeping a distance of at least 10 feet between the pool’s perimeter and any nearby plant beds and being vigilant about removing any leaves or other debris from the pool’s surface.

How To Get Rid Of Bugs In A Swimming Pool

There are many types of swimming pool bugs, but these steps will help you eliminate them, no matter the type.

Summertime is the perfect time for a swimming pool, but unfortunately, it’s also the perfect time for bugs to invade your pool. The first step is to identify the bug. Once you know what you’re dealing with, it’s easier to find a solution.

You can use manual removal, chemical treatment, and biological control. However, you can follow these steps to avoid these swimming pool bugs and get rid of them if they do show up:

  • Be sure to keep your pool clean and free of debris.
  • Make sure you chlorinate your pool adequately.
  • Use a filter system that is properly maintained.
  • Inspect your pool before getting in.
  • If all else fails, use a pesticide to get rid of the bugs.

Skim the pool to remove bugs 

Swimming pool skimmers are devices pool owners use to collect bugs and other debris on the pool water surface. There are two types of skimmers- manual and automatic.

There are two types of pool skimmers: manual and robotic. The most common type is the manual pool skimmer, a net you use to skim the water’s surface to remove bugs and other debris.

The robotic pool skimmer is another type. Robotic pool skimmers operate on either solar or battery power, and they function similarly to robotic vacuum cleaners, sucking up any debris on the pool’s bottom.

Use shock chlorination

Shock chlorination is a standard method of cleaning organic matter from swimming pools. You should keep the chlorine content in the pool between 1 part per million and 3 parts per million, which is the safe range.

When you want to clean your pool more thoroughly, you can shock chlorine by adding a significantly higher dose of chlorine to the water.

Shock chlorination is a safe and effective way to clean your pool of any organic matter. Using a higher dose of chlorine can kill any bacteria or contaminants present in the water. This will help to restore your pool to its original condition.

Use algaecide

An algaecide is a chemical that will kill any living algae in your swimming pool. By using an algaecide, you can keep your pool clean and healthy. 

You will need to determine the amount of algaecide you’ll need to treat your pool by calculating the amount of water in it. Once you know how much algaecide you need, mix it with some water and pour it into the deep end of your pool.

Agitate the water so that the algaecide spreads evenly. Let it sit for at least 12 hours before swimming.

Vacuum Your Pool

Removing debris from a swimming pool can be tedious and time-consuming. You can use different ways to do it, but the most common is vacuuming the pool. Different types of bugs that can inhabit your swimming pool and how to get rid of them.

To clean your swimming pool and remove any leftover debris on the floor or sides, follow these detailed step-by-step instructions in the video below.

Keep the lights away from the pool.

Water bugs, also known as pool bugs, can be a major nuisance in swimming pools. They are attracted to light and gather around lights near the pool. To avoid attracting these bugs, it is important to keep the lights at least 30 feet away from the pool.

Keeping lights at least 30 feet away is important to prevent mosquitoes from congregating around pools. Insects are often drawn to light, so keeping the lights too close will only attract them in larger numbers.

Remove Any Water Stagnation Near The Pool

Mosquitoes lay eggs and breed in stagnant water. Remove stagnation near the pool in your yard or garden to help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your swimming pool.

Mosquitoes need water to breed, so if you have any stagnant water near your pool, it’s only a matter of time before they start breeding in your pool.

pool bug bites

You can get rid of any water stagnation by regularly cleaning up your yard and garden and making sure that there are no leaky faucets or other sources of standing water.

This means filling up any waterholes and fixing any leaks in your yard or garden.

Final Thoughts

There are a variety of bugs that you can find in swimming pools. While most of them are harmless, some can cause problems. Maintenance of the chlorine level in the swimming pool is important to prevent bites on your back.

In conclusion, swimming pool bugs can result from a variety of things. Dirty water, not cleaning the pool regularly, and even leaves or other debris can cause these pests to form. If you are experiencing swimming pool bugs, make sure to take care of the issue as soon as possible.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.