Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still or stagnant water, and that means that ponds and pools become excellent spots for them to lay eggs. These eggs can turn into adult mosquitoes within about ten days. However, if you find this, you will need to learn how to kill mosquito larvae in pond locations.
So what are the best options and why is it important?
Why are Mosquito Larvae in your Pool Dangerous?
Mosquito larvae are not particularly dangerous to humans. They don’t feed on humans and cannot bite swimmers. Nor are they known to spread diseases like other pests might do. Even if they are consumed, there is very little risk of harm to a human (or another animal). However, that doesn’t mean that their presence is not unwelcome.
And it is more the adult stage that people have to be worried about. Mosquito larvae can quickly turn into adults and too many adults can pose a significant risk. They can carry several diseases that can be spread by mosquitoes, and several of these can be dangerous causing significant harm or even death.
Mosquitoes kill more humans every year than any other animal.
How to Kill Mosquito Larvae in a Pool
Therefore, to prevent the larvae from becoming dangerous, you must attempt to get rid of the larvae. Killing the larvae will prevent new mosquito adults from forming and breaking the lifecycle. It is important to note that mosquito lifespans are very short, so a small break can have significant benefits to the health of people.
So how do you kill mosquito larvae in the pool, here are some of the options.
Chlorine
Chlorine is dangerous to larvae, but moderate levels of chlorine will not have a massive impact on populations in the pool. Even high levels of chlorine won’t have complete success in killing all the larvae. And large doses of chlorine can be very dangerous for pool users.
And once you’ve treated the pool with chlorine, you will have to spend some time rebalancing the water chemistry. Therefore, chlorine is not a great option. Other options might be more suitable.
Mosquito Dunks
These are small, slow-dissolving rings that can be tossed into the pool. They contain bacteria that the larvae are attracted to. While the larvae might think they are getting a free meal that will help them grow, the big problem is that these bacteria will kill the larvae quickly. Dunks are often used by pool owners because it does not change the water chemistry.
Mosquito dunks are considered to be safe for swimmers, pets, and wildlife. To get the best results, you should use about two or three dunks. And they are considered to be highly affordable and one of the best ways to kill mosquito larvae in the pool.
Methoprene Granules
These can be added to any pool and contain a hormone inhibitor that will stunt the growth of the mosquito larvae. These are considered to be able to distribute over a wider area compared to mosquito dunks. A single application in the pool can last for one month, therefore, larvae can’t survive at all.
There are questions about whether or not methoprene is safe for humans, but generally, it is considered so.
Scoop Them Up
Remember that once you’ve applied a treatment to a swimming pool, then you will need to remove the dead larvae from the pool. A net or skimmer net can be very useful to complete this. For a better result, however, you should use a pool vacuum. And you will probably need to replace the water after you’ve completed the process as some water will be removed.
Another option is to let your filter do the work for you. However, if there is a significant number of larvae in the pool, you might have a significant problem. You would need to clean the cartridges out every single day or every other day.
How to Prevent Mosquito Larvae in Your Pool
Of course, killing the mosquito larvae is one thing, but the best option is to always prevent the baby insects from getting into your pool in the first place. Here are some of the options to help you prevent mosquito larvae in your pool.
Maintain a Good Chlorine Level
To effectively keep your pool sanitized you should maintain a chlorine level that is between 1 and 3 parts per million. While this level isn’t known to kill larvae outright, it is known to make it harder for them to establish. And it will prevent some of their food, like algae, from growing.
Keep Water Circulating
Mosquitoes are very fussy where they lay their eggs. They don’t like to lay eggs in moving water, it has to be still. That is one of the main reasons why you will get large amounts of mosquitoes in swamps and marshlands.
Running a pool’s system so the water is always circulating will deter mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the pool. However, just because you have the pool set to circulate, you might find that there are areas where the water is not circulating. Some areas include places close to ladders, steps, and more.
In addition, you should clean the sides and bottom of the pool regularly. This prevents a build-up of algae and other elements that mosquito larvae might consume to grow.
Add a Pool Cover
Preventing the mosquitoes from getting any access to the pool in the first place will prevent the female mosquitoes from being able to lay their eggs. You might also need to add a cover for your pump as well.
Check your Garden for Other Breeding Areas
Another problem is when you have areas near your pool when you have other small areas of water that can attract mosquitoes. If you have stagnant water in ponds, water butts, or pools of water, then you should get rid of these to prevent the mosquitoes from growing there.
Final Word: Find Out If You Should Be Worried About Mosquito Larvae in Pool and How to Get Rid of It
Mosquito larvae in your pool aren’t too much of a problem, but when they’re adults, they are going to pose a threat to you. Therefore, removing them is a good way to control mosquito populations in your area. Use some of the tips above to help.
