· Water Boatmen – “Corixids”
· Water Backswimmer – “Notonectids”
Both of these little pests lay eggs in algae and other aquatic plant life. It takes about 6 weeks for these little guys to reach adulthood. They both breathe air and can each live up to a year, even under ice so long as they have nourishment.
Water Boatmen are herbivores; they are in your pool to eat the algae. These guys just float around on their belly they do not bite. They love artificial light. These guys are mainly just a nuisance.
Backswimmers are a bit meaner. They eat bugs (such as Water Boatmen), tadpoles, and even small fish. They have a stinging bite. They float around on their backs (hence the nickname).
Getting rid of these uninvited guests is fairly simple. We want to destroy their breeding ground, and cut off their food supply. We need to get rid of the algae.
Start by shocking the pool water. Use 1-2 lbs. of shock per 10,000 gallons. For best results shock the pool at dusk or nighttime. This should reduce the amount of chlorine burned off by the sun. Brush the walls and skim any bugs off the top of the water. We recommend you use a weekly dose of algaecide (all chemicals will have directions for use on the back; remember to follow all safety guidelines). Algaecide is a preventative measure, and will not kill algae by itself.
We are now ready to swim in our pool, without fear of six-legged invaders.
