Please help - spider mites?? (correction - springtails)

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rd783

rd783

Active member
May 20, 2024
33
Cary, NC
Pool Size
16000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
I started noticing something on top of the water 2 days ago. Thought it was just debris, but upon closer look its some type of bug floating on top of the water, and they can jump. It appears they jump onto the tile just above the water line. They're really only in once section of the pool, to the left and right of where the spa overflows.
I've been having trouble identifying what this could be but my guess is some type of spider mite? I've tried spraying ortho (Bifenthrin) on the tile above the water line and directly on the larger clumbs of these bugs?, but hasn't seem to have much effect.
Looking for any advice to eliminate whatever these are please, thank you!
 

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Here's a very recent thread.

Microscopic bug infestation - help!

EDIT: I've discovered that this is actually a widespread microscopic bug issue! Please read thread! Hi - I have a 12k gal pool with a Pentair DE filter, no main floor drain, a single wall skimmer port and 2 return jets (pool and equipment details in my profile). Everything is seemingly working...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
Is this your first battle with them?

Have you identified where they're coming from? Mine crawl across the deck and jump in.

I've tried lots of things, but they keep coming back. I have not had the infestations that other have seen with thousands of bugs. I might attribute that to my use of Talstar P (Bifen). I've tried other insecticides also with no luck. I even removed a whole section of mulch and replaced it with rock hoping I would eliminate nesting sites. They still come. This is what @Katodude says.

Katodude said:
@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta

It’s $349 on Amazon.

BTW for springtails, mix Bifen and Acephate. Had them early in the year. Sprayed 4’ deep into the perimeter of the yard surrounding the pool, and the deco drain where I think they were coming from. One and done.
Click to expand...

In the past he has also recommended Bifen with an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator). Check domyown.com for more info.

To get them out of the pool, I've used a garden hose with high pressure attachment to direct them into the skimmer.
 
I will tell you that my new Betta Skimbot helps remove them from the surface. The current lighting deal (about $309 with coupon) is as cheap as you'll find it right now. Here's a thread in case you're interested.

Betta SE Plus

With some time I’ve noticed that no matter which set of legs I use, and at what position, unless the water level is at the top of the skimmer door it gets stuck on something - the Baja shelf, the step to the shelf, or one of the 3 corner steps. I ordered an aftermarket set of legs which is a...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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I am serious try the Bifen mixed with Acephate. Both are incredibly cheap insecticides. Mixed together they are a nuclear combination. I use that for whitefly as part of IPM. In my last springtail infestation (this last spring, and pun intended). Mixed the two up for the turfgrass rates listed on the label.

Spray from 1 foot of the deck to a least 4 feet deep into all the surrounding organic matter. I have a 4 gallon backpack sprayer that I use, but you can probably do it with a hand pump one.
 
I will try it next spring. They've pretty much subsided after Temps increased. I too have a 4-gallon backpack sprayer. My latest one is a Dewalt with an electric pump. I mostly use it for weed control.
 

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Remember you have to mix the two, there is a cumulative effect. I think I remember using 1oz of Bifen per gallon. I forget the Acephate rate. Acephate is also systemic so you get some residual.

Spray as much around the perimeter as you can. Go extra deep into mulch areas, grass etc. You have had a long standing infestation so I would get as aggressive as you can.
 
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My concern is that the springtails are all over my 1.25 acre property. Unlike every other insect I've dealt with, springtails don't seem to respect pesticide barriers. Either way, I'll take your advice and give it a shot next spring.
 
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Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Is this your first battle with them?
Click to expand...
Yes, first year with pool

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Have you identified where they're coming from? Mine crawl across the deck and jump in.
Click to expand...
I have a bed behind the back raised pool wall. I'm seeing some that seem to be coming from there so it has to be. This is the first year with the pool so all landscaping is new. Originally I had a small layer of mulch in that bed. Recently (to try and improve soil conditions, NC has clay and hardpan) I covered a lot of my landscaping with arborist wood chips including that bed. So at this point I'm guessing this is the cause and area they are coming from (the other wood chipped areas are much further away from the pool).

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
They've pretty much subsided after Temps increased.
Click to expand...
Here in NC we've had 95-100 degree weather and hasn't caused them to stop at all..

Katodude said:
In my last springtail infestation (this last spring, and pun intended). Mixed the two up for the turfgrass rates listed on the label.
Spray from 1 foot of the deck to a least 4 feet deep into all the surrounding organic matter. I have a 4 gallon backpack sprayer that I use, but you can probably do it with a hand pump one.
Click to expand...
I have a 4 gallon flowzone cyclone 3 I can use. I have Bifen IT on hand and just sprayed everywhere.
I'll have to get Acephate when I get back Monday from a trip I'm about to leave for.


At this point I'm tempted to remove all the wood chips from that bed and go back to mulch. Will this make any difference?
 
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