How To Get Rid of Water Bugs In Your Pool

Water bugs are a nasty nuisance for many pool owners, especially in residential swimming pools across Australia. They appear more frequently during warm weather and very hot days, feeding on algae spores, organic matter, and even mosquito larvae. While some swimming bugs are harmless, others like backswimmers can bite with a sting similar to a bee sting. If you want to know how to get rid of water bugs in your pool, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything from identification and removal to prevention.

What Are Water Bugs and Why Are They in My Pool?

Water bugs are aquatic insects that thrive in stagnant or untreated pool water. The most common swimming pool bug types found in Australian backyards are water boatmen and backswimmers. Both are attracted by algae growth, making algae thrive in pools a key contributor to infestations. They often appear after heavy usage, poor pool hygiene, or a lapse in pool chemistry.

Water Boatmen vs Backswimmers

• Water boatmen are generally harmless and feed on algae, plant matter, and small organisms. They will usually swim away from people and do not bite. They often go unnoticed unless they build up in large numbers.
• Backswimmers are predatory and feed on water boatmen, mosquito larvae, and other bugs in your pool. They swim on their backs and deliver a painful bite similar to a bee sting.

Both species lay eggs in algae, so when algae growth is present, it creates the perfect breeding ground. If you see water boatmen, boatmen bugs, or signs of algae thrive, it is likely that backswimmers are not far behind.

What Attracts Water Bugs to Pools?

Water bugs are drawn to pools by several environmental factors:

• Presence of algae spores and microorganisms
• Poor chemical balance
• High levels of organic debris and sediment
• Infrequent pool clean routines
• Stagnant water near irrigation areas or standing water
• Lack of basic pool care

These bugs feed and breed in conditions where food supply is abundant. To eliminate water bugs, you must first understand and remove what is attracting water bugs to your pool.

Are Water Bugs Dangerous?

While bugs in swimming pool water are often more annoying than harmful, backswimmers are known to bite and can be a concern for families with children. Most bugs generally are safe, but their presence reflects poor pool hygiene and water imbalance.

How to Get Rid of Water Bugs in Your Pool

Here is a proven, multi-step strategy to rid of water bugs effectively and prevent them from coming back.

1. Manual Removal of Bugs and Debris

Use a leaf rake, skimmer, or manually vacuum the pool to remove as many water bugs and surface debris as possible. Focus on corners and shaded areas, as these often accumulate as much sediment and are hidden from sight.

2. Scrub Pool Walls and Surfaces

Scrub all surfaces thoroughly using an algae brush. This helps dislodge any algae and organic matter that bugs might feed on or lay eggs in. This step is vital before shocking the pool.

3. Shock the Pool at Night

Apply a shock dose of liquid chlorine in the evening. This ensures shock chemicals evenly distributed across the pool are not neutralised by sun rays. The goal is to kill off algae spores, mosquito larvae, and any lingering bugs.

• Maintain chlorine levels between 2 and 3 ppm
• Use stabilised chlorine to extend effectiveness
• Ensure your pool’s pH is between 7.4 and 7.6
• Keep alkalinity at 120 to 150 ppm

4. Add Algaecide and Copper Based Solutions

A preventative algaecide is key to ongoing control. This will help you kill algae before it blooms, cutting off the food source for future infestations. Copper ionisation is another effective method that disrupts bug survival and reproduction.

5. Dish Soap and Oils for Surface Disruption

Add a few drops of dish soap or baby oil at night to containers of water around the pool. These substances break the surface tension, trap bugs, and cause them to drown. These should not be added to the pool directly unless designed for that use.

6. Adjust Pool Chemistry and Filter Systems

Keep your pool’s chemical balance in check by testing chlorine and pH levels every couple of days. Bugs are far less likely to survive in a well-maintained pool.

• Clean filters regularly
• Ensure pumps are working efficiently
• Keep your pool’s circulation system running to prevent stagnation

Preventing Future Water Bug Infestations

To keep your pool bug free, follow these preventive tips:

• Perform pool clean routines regularly
• Skim debris and vacuum the pool floor every few days
• Clean filters and remove clogs
• Shock chemicals monthly or after heavy use
• Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use
• Avoid nearby standing water or irrigation pooling
• Install bug traps or insect-repellent warm-toned lighting

Maintaining pool hygiene and regular monitoring of pool chemistry can prevent both water boatmen and backswimmers from ever becoming a problem.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Pool Clean and Comfortable

The presence of swimming bugs in pool water signals a breakdown in pool hygiene. Whether you are seeing oval shaped bugs, water beetles, or swimming pools water boatmen, the path to a cleaner, safer pool is clear.

Start by removing their food supply, then treat your water with shock chemicals, apply algaecide, and commit to a strict pool cleaning schedule. Once done, your pool will not only look great, it will stay that way too.

For expert advice or full-service bug removal, contact 1 Pool Care. We specialise in maintaining average size pool systems across Perth and can ensure your pool remains a backyard paradise free from annoying pests.