Is pest control part of pool maintenance?

Having a swimming pool is a great advantage when the weather is warm and you can just jump in to keep cool. The pool area is also an excellent entertainment space. However, if you want to make hanging out in and around your pool a good experience, you need to make sure that you keep up with maintenance.

You may not immediately think of pool maintenance as being anything to do with pest control, but it is. After all, you do not want to end up swimming in a pool full of bugs. Pool maintenance professionals use cleaning techniques and pool chemicals that keep the pool clean and can make it a less enticing place for pests to gather. There are also steps you can take to make it less likely that your swim will be ruined by the presence of bugs.

Run the pool pump

It's not a good idea to keep your pool pump switched off for any length of time, especially if the pool is uncovered. Stagnant water can attract pests such as mosquitoes. The pump should ideally be run at least every three to four hours. You can choose to do this manually or you can use a timing device.

Cover the pool when it's not in use

Covering your pool when you are not using it is essential. It's one of the most effective ways to stop pests ending up in the water. Pool covers also provide other benefits, such as keeping debris from falling in and helping to prevent water evaporation.

Make use of a bug zapper

You may have seen bug zappers being used in businesses, to prevent insects from becoming a problem. You can also use them around your home, including the area around your pool. Insects are attracted by the light from the zapper and killed as they dragged in. It' s worth noting that zappers are not especially quiet, so you need to decide whether you want to put up with the noise when you are outside relaxing.

Check if there is an infestation problem

Everyone expects to get the odd problem with bugs around their pool, but if there are swarms of ants or wasps around, you may need to get additional help. This type of infestation should be dealt with by professional exterminators who can get rid of the pests and return your pool area to its usual state. It's also worth remembering that a pest problem around your pool could soon make its way into your home. The sooner you act; the sooner you can stop the problem from spreading.

You always need to pay attention to pool maintenance, if you want your pool to be a pleasurable place to hang out. It's important to consider pest control as part of this maintenance. Taking proper precautions can prevent you having to take a dip while getting bombarded by mosquitoes. It can also help to prevent a wider pest problem from developing.