what to do about bees in the pool?

[Jeff74]

This is our first year open with our new AGP. I notice there are alot of these shiny, gold colored bees and they are usually on the surface of the water. They sting which makes the pool very unattractive for swimmers. I vacuumed the pool just now and went around with the leaf rake and would get about 5-10 bees each time around.

What is a good solution for these pests?

 

[catchyoulater]

I just skim them off and enter the pool and watch for new ones hovering trying to get a "sip" of water and shoo them off. The ones that land in the water get fished out. They do prefer the water during the sunniest part of the day. I also observed they are especially drawn to red/orange/yellow floats so I avoid buying inflatables in those colors. That has helped while you're in the pool. There might be a hive nearby and they are looking at the closest water source? I have a lemon tree near the pool that attracts bees but they don't all necessarily drop into the pool. Other than that I can't explain why you're inundated by so many. I'd say I get a total of 10 in a 24 hour period. I just consider it the "cost" of having a large body of water available to critters, winged and otherwise!

 

[chessie6]

Just to make sure, are you referring to the little bees that are also neon green in color or striped? These are called sweat bees and are actually a valuable pollinator of our food supply. Being pro-animal, insect and all, my suggestion would be on the side of diverting them away from your pool rather than killing them, but I can certainly understand their annoyance to you because we have quite a few of them here as well and those stings really grab your attention. I keep my returns focused upwards in order to break the surface of the water up rather than having a shiny mirrored surface, and also have another body of water available for them to get their water from (it's a small garden fountain, but a birdbath is good too). I read that having a hummingbird feeder nearby will draw them because of the sugar in the food. And, of course, skimming them off. I keep a net by the side of the pool to use even when I'm swimming.

Good luck and enjoy your new pool!

 

[Jeff74]

Yea, I am pretty sure they are sweat bees, now that you have mentioned it. I dont care to divert them, just as long ad they don't disturb me, my pool and my little swimmers.