Mosquitoes are a terror to mankind. Well, maybe not as terrorizing as we might think, but they sure do unleash mayhem on humans with their prickly bites that itch and spread diseases like fever and the Zika virus.
They are found almost everywhere you can find humans, especially in your backyard.
They are mostly drawn towards stagnant dirty water and they can multiply very fast as they lay large numbers of eggs that hatch into larvae, pupa and then mature into adults after ten days.
Now, let’s attend to how we can get rid of mosquito larvae in pools.
There are some ways you can get rid of mosquito larvae that we will be looking at.
- By applying Chlorine; chlorine, used for combating bacteria in the pool, can also be effective in killing mosquitoes. Unfortunately, a moderate dose of chlorine can not kill as many mosquito larvae as you might think, as the larvae are always surplus.
It will take more than just applying chlorine but also shocking to make sure the larvae are done with. On the other hand, this may cost you and might require you to buy other chemicals along with shock therapy to balance the chlorine level.
- By using methoprene granules, which stop the larvae from developing into pupas, methoprene granules are made from chemicals that stop growth hormones from working. It is capable of lasting up to 30 days to ensure maximum effect.
- Mosquito dunks: These are slow dissolving rings that are put inside the pool. They contain BTI, a bacteria thing that feeds on the larvae. Dunks are normally safe and won’t affect your water chemistry.
- By scooping them; just like a skimmer net can be used to remove leaves and other things in the pool, it can also be used to take out mosquito larvae.
- By using a vacuum; vacuuming the water is another way to completely kick out mosquito larvae from your pool.
- By filtering; your pool filter is also capable of this, although it might take some time and you will have to clean and wash it up to enable it from being clogged.
What Can I Put In My Water To Kill Mosquito Larvae?
Chlorine is the answer. Chlorine helps to combat and fight bacteria, especially when the level of the pool is balanced.
Apart from putting things into the water to help you kill mosquito larvae, there are other measures you can take to help you keep mosquitoes out of your pool.
- Always maintain your pool; if your pool is maintained from time to time, and water levels are checked regularly, there will be fewer chances of mosquito larvae existing inside your pool. During warm or hot periods, run a pool pump every few hours to circulate the water as this will prevent bacteria from clustering.
- Always check for water on your pool cover; when the pool is not in use, ensure you always check your pool cover in case of stagnant water caused by rain or sprinkles, as this is another breeding ground for mosquitoes. Ensure you check and clean if there’s any water gathering.
- Other sources of standing water should be removed; apart from the pool, there might be other places water can stagnate. Buckets and other open materials can store and harbor mosquito-infested water. Also, fountains and ponds can play host too, so you should put all this in check.
- Use pesticides; you can use chemical means of pest control like fumigating the area completely and ridding it off of mosquitoes and other pests around the area.
How much chlorine does it take to kill mosquito larvae
The test and the size of your pool are major determinants of knowing how much chlorine will be needed to kill mosquito larvae in your pool.
Test your chlorine levels in your pool first, then get accurate data before going ahead and administering chlorine. The average level should be around 1-3 ppm.
Again, try to measure the size of your pool, its width, and its length. This will give you the knowledge you need about the amount of chlorine you’ll need to put inside the water to help you kill mosquito larvae.
Lastly, be very careful when adding chlorine to your pool because excessive chlorine can alter the chlorine level and even make your pool more prone to mosquito larvae. Only add the amount of needed chlorine after everything stated above might have been done.
How do you kill mosquito larvae in a kiddie pool
Chlorine can help clear and kill mosquito larvae in your kiddie pool.
Also note, if your kid’s pool is something temporary or does not have a filtration system, then chlorine is not what you should administer. Nevertheless, if the pool is permanent and can be filtered, then this is one of the best options out there.
Now, normal chlorine might not be able to kill all the mosquito larvae, and this is where shock comes into play. You must shock the pool if you want to eradicate the vast number of larvae in it.
However, shocking the pool will make it unusable for at least 24 hours. Lastly, always watch out for the ppm to know when it’s safe to enter the pool again.
Are mosquito dunks safe for pools?
Yes, mosquito dunks are safe. A mosquito dunk contains the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis as the major active ingredient.
The BTI in mosquito dunks produces a certain toxin that is harmful to mosquito larvae and other insects.
Mosquito dunks can be obtained in stores, garden centers, pool supplies, and hardware stores.
How to use a mosquito dunk;
Simply put it inside the body of water, especially where mosquito larvae develop. The water eventually breaks down the mosquito dunk and distributes the mosquito dunk toxin all over the pool, killing the mosquito larvae in the process.
A mosquito dunk treatment lasts for thirty days.
How do I keep mosquitoes out of my pool naturally?
There are several ways of keeping mosquitoes out of your pool, which we’ll be looking at immediately.
- Put on a waterproof mosquito repellant before swimming; formulas containing DEET or picaridin are great. However, homemade products or natural repellants like lemon oil are also good. But they must be applied often to maintain their effectiveness.
- Citronella candles: Citronella is a natural mosquito repellant that repels mosquitoes. If you light up several candles around the pool, it will protect against mosquitoes.
- Do away with any stagnant water in the area; check for stagnated waters around your area and make sure you do away with them as stagnated waters are known to breed mosquitoes.
- Plant natural repellants around the area, such as catnip, vanilla, leaves, and sagebrush.
Does white vinegar kill mosquitoes?
Yes, vinegar is one of the best pest control spray ingredients out there.
- Vinegar’s acidic nature is potent enough to kill and repel mosquitoes if sprayed directly towards the area where the mosquitoes are rampant.
- Vinegar is an aqueous solution composed of water and acetic acid. Vinegar as a product has already undergone both alcohol and acidic fermentation.
So, it’s crystal clear that vinegar is an effective means to combat and kill mosquitoes.
Does algaecide kill mosquito larvae
No, algaecides are not capable of killing mosquitoes. However, they can reduce the amount of food for them since algaecides are mainly for algae and other bacteria.
Can baking soda kill mosquito larvae?
Baking soda alone can not kill mosquitoes. It mainly raises alkalinity and pH levels, improving stability and clarity.
How do you kill mosquito larvae in water naturally?
Mosquitoes can be killed in water by natural means, now let’s quickly look at some of the ways this can be done.
- Add apple cider vinegar to the water. Vinegar is very effective in killing pests, especially mosquitoes. Depending on the size of the water, add the appropriate amount of vinegar to it.
- Add a drop of oil or dish soap; dish soap is another super effective means to kill mosquitoes. The oil prevents the mosquitoes from being able to float while they drown in the dish soap.
These are some of the natural ways that mosquitoes can be killed.
Will dumping water kill mosquito larvae?
Yes, it will. Water attracts mosquitoes, especially water that has stagnated for quite a period.
Dumping these larvae on the ground will give them no chance to survive.
Although where the water is dumped matters a lot, if you dump them in a water-dampened environment, they are likely to survive and grow into the adult stage where they begin to fly and it becomes hard to kill them.
Can mosquito larvae live in running water?
It is impossible for mosquito larvae to survive in running water; they can only thrive and grow in stagnant water.
Running water would probably disrupt the larvae growth process and inhibit any further development.
