Fixing gaps and pests

[mike.stocker]

Wasn’t sure where to put this but I have a couple of questions.

First, is there anything I can use to fill in these gaps between the coping and also the skimmer housing and the concrete deck? Some of the coping gaps are much wider than pictured here. I have noticed that debris such as leaves and pine needles can collect in these gaps and we have started having pest problems, namely concrete mites and springtails.

Which brings me to my next question, has anyone dealt with these two pests in particular and what did you do to control them around your pool? I read about Sevin dust so was thinking about putting some of that in the gaps and maybe their granules in the rock and shrub beds surrounding the pool. They’re pretty much everywhere though, patio, deck, and starting to see them up the side of our house. Waiting on the pest control company to come out and treat for them generally but if there’s anything I can do to keep the pool deck clear of them, obviously I’d like to do that as we are getting close to opening the pool. Also I have checked the chemical levels and everything looks good and I have the chlorine at shock levels.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[1poolman1]

Wasn’t sure where to put this but I have a couple of questions.

First, is there anything I can use to fill in these gaps between the coping and also the skimmer housing and the concrete deck? Some of the coping gaps are much wider than pictured here. I have noticed that debris such as leaves and pine needles can collect in these gaps and we have started having pest problems, namely concrete mites and springtails.

Which brings me to my next question, has anyone dealt with these two pests in particular and what did you do to control them around your pool? I read about Sevin dust so was thinking about putting some of that in the gaps and maybe their granules in the rock and shrub beds surrounding the pool. They’re pretty much everywhere though, patio, deck, and starting to see them up the side of our house. Waiting on the pest control company to come out and treat for them generally but if there’s anything I can do to keep the pool deck clear of them, obviously I’d like to do that as we are getting close to opening the pool. Also I have checked the chemical levels and everything looks good and I have the chlorine at shock levels.

Thanks,
Mike

Clean the gap, then you could try this to seal the gap:

Amazon.com

Or this:

Pool Joint Caulking Tube - DeckoSeal - 11JFM

Deck-O-Seal ONE STEP is a single component, non-sagging, polysulfide-based sealing compound for caulking swimming pool joints and structures that are subject to movement due to temperature change.This caulking is ideal for sealing all joints in concrete structures wherever a permanent...

www.poolweb.com