How to Kill Mosquitoes in a Swimming Pool
Tip
Drain your pool if you don’t use it. If you don’t want to drain it, keep larvicide dunks in your pool or stock it with mosquito killing fish such as gambusia or fathead minnows. Maintain chlorine levels and keep the filter going a couple hours a day even during the winter to keep mosquitoes away.
Since mosquitoes lay eggs in water, poorly maintained or neglected swimming pools make ideal breeding grounds. Their presence creates an environment that is not ideal for staying outdoors for very long, at least without loading up on bug spray first. Mosquito bites are not only itchy, unsightly and uncomfortable but also can transmit the West Nile Virus. Fortunately, you can kill the larvae in your pool and keep mosquitoes at bay with some regular pool care techniques and habits.
Use one mosquito larvicide dunk for every 10 square feet of water surface area. An above-ground pool may only need two or three dunks. Replace every 30 days while the pool is not in use. The dunks float on the surface but you tie on a weight to keep them in place.
- Since mosquitoes lay eggs in water, poorly maintained or neglected swimming pools make ideal breeding grounds.
Maintain the chemicals in your swimming pool. Chlorinate and shock your pool on a regular schedule as recommended for your pool and size to keep your water clean. If you used a larvicide, discard the dunks and maintain proper chlorine levels for at least 24 hours before getting in your pool.
Run the filter at least two to three hours a day. A timer can help you keep on top of this.
Remove leaves and other debris floating on top of your pool where mosquitoes also find a safe haven for breeding.
Cover the pool tightly during off seasons or when it’s not in use for long periods, such as when you’re on vacation. Siphon off the water on top of the cover or treat with a larvicide dunk as necessary so the mosquitoes don’t have a new place to breed.
- Maintain the chemicals in your swimming pool.
- Siphon off the water on top of the cover or treat with a larvicide dunk as necessary so the mosquitoes don’t have a new place to breed.
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Writer Bio
Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
