how to prevent worms

[sdtfp]

I searched here and quite a few people have a worm problem specially in the spring. Well it's spring here and the worms are everywhere. When I opened, the pool, the worms came from the main drain into the skimmer and it seemed like a few dozen. The stench brought dozens of flies before I had a chance to bag them up. I smelled that stench the rest of the day... anyhow any updates on what people are doing to prevent worms? 3/4 of the pool concrete edge is surrounded by lawn and 1 side is flower bed. I have some ideas...

1. Limestone around edge of pool, as per a post here from long ago. Not sure I would do that on the lawn parts.
2. I was thinking of planting mint on one edge of the pool that has flower beds. I heard worms and and ants don't like mint oil. But no idea if this will work. Also, that only solves 1/4 of the problem as I wouldnt do that on the lawn.
3. I read spraying mint oil will work. But who has time to spray mint oil before every rain?
4. Digging a trench around the pool. For heavy rains it would overflow and I am guessing worms would still get in. This might be used in conjunction with limestone idea.

Anyone care to share was has worked? I am keen to try the mint plants on the 1/4 edge as I am guessing that is were most of the worms are startign their trek from. But I'll have to research mint species and all that and I am not a gardener.

 

[csconner]

I get worms and frogs. I’ve tried mint, lavender, lemon grass, sage, you name it around the patio perimeter (they have to traverse 4-6’ of pavers and concrete to get to the pool) nothing yet affects them, they seem determined to sacrifice themselves.

 

[HeyEng]

Although I am not sure what you might do to prevent the worms, but have you considered hair nets in your skimmer? I have been using something like this for a couple of years and it's a Christmas miracle....makes easy work of getting rid of nasty things like the worms.

Oh and we have frogs too, but the "Froglog" does an excellent job of saving them and keeping them out of the skimmer!

 

[sdtfp]

I get worms and frogs. I’ve tried mint, lavender, lemon grass, sage, you name it around the patio perimeter (they have to traverse 4-6’ of pavers and concrete to get to the pool) nothing yet affects them, they seem determined to sacrifice themselves.

okay so you've done the work for me.. thanks for sharing!

Although I am not sure what you might do to prevent the worms, but have you considered hair nets in your skimmer? I have been using something like this for a couple of years and it's a Christmas miracle....makes easy work of getting rid of nasty things like the worms.

Oh and we have frogs too, but the "Froglog" does an excellent job of saving them and keeping them out of the skimmer!

For me they only got in the skimmer because I didnt clean them from the pool floor before opening the main drain for the season. Otherwise the worms are pretty goot at aiming for the bottom of the pool and avoiding the skimmer. At first I thought they were coming from the plumbing of the main drain... but that would be silly and I would have a massive leak. But after seeing them crawl around the driveway, I figured they were crawling over and into the pool. Interestingly enough, I haven't seen any in the act, they just happen to appear there over last night's rain.

 

[mgtfp]

The only thing that works for me is to get them (worms and frogs) out with the net before they get sucked into the skimmer or the suction cleaner. I do that basically every morning. I find it quite rewarding to get them out while still alive (the frogs are tiny, not bothering us at all - just not nice when you have to get dead one out).

I have a ramp for the frogs, but I've never seen a frog on it. @HeyEng, how did you train your frogs to use the log? They must be step ahead on the evolutionary ladder.

 

[HeyEng]

I have a ramp for the frogs, but I've never seen a frog on it. @HeyEng, how did you train your frogs to use the log? They must be step ahead on the evolutionary ladder.

I guess they aren't as stupid as you would think. They find (and use) them just fine! It's kind of cool to watch them jump in...mess around for a bit...and then go to the log and hop on out.

 

[Darin]

I get a few hundred worms every spring. They don't bother me as they are easy to vac. If they really bother you maybe try a few catfish or large mouth bass. Happy fishing!!
PS - Most states you won't have to get a fishing license since you will be on our own property.

 

[mguzzy]

Interestingly enough, I haven't seen any in the act, they just happen to appear there over last night's rain.

There ya go.. the wet rain soaked concrete creates an environment for them to try an migrate to another flower bed or greener pastures. Its what they do! They won't traverse dry zones,, they will dry out. You can't fight billions of years of evolution, you will always lose. I suppose you try and chase them away with a hair drier.. but if its raining out.. maybe not. So, get them out of the pool as soon as you can, before they start to decompose and get stinky... now you know when to look, after the rains!

 

[mgtfp]

They find (and use) them just fine! It's kind of cool to watch them jump in...mess around for a bit...and then go to the log and hop on out.

Never seen them jumping in. Only find them inside the pool in the morning, particularly after rain. I can hear them, but they are always well hidden in the undergrowth. Very shy and very tiny (sitting down maybe 1.5 cm, stretched out s bit longer). If I don't get them out, they just die.

 

[mguzzy]

Never seen them jumping in.

wait, what, huh? jumping worms? In my pool they just kind fall in.. like tubular lemmings. I'm lost are we talking about worms or frogs?

 

[mgtfp]

wait, what, huh? jumping worms? In my pool they just kind fall in.. like tubular lemmings. I'm lost are we talking about worms or frogs?

What, you haven't seen the jumping killer worm? It's a distant relative of the killer rabbit. Don't mess with it, and never underestimate it's jumping skills.

 

[sdtfp]

Just wanted to post a interesting update... This week we had a lot of rain due to a tropical storm.. I think like 2-4 inches. And not a single worm was found on the pool after it was over. I am guessing worms stop coming out later in the summer and they will be back in the winter/spring. But I have a slight hope my worm issue has been somehow solved unintentionally. One thing I did do is put mulch on the flower bed. Some sort of german. Fingers crossed that worms are allergic to something that is easily decompostable