The worms are dying by the thousands

[PureLuck]

Upon taking off the cover to the pool yesterday, I realized that there were WAY MORE worm "pieces" than normal in the Dolphin - so I looked to the deep end, and what did I see? TONS of dead worms at the bottom. Plus lots of grey black "stuff" when I brushed the sides.. Thinking it was worm poo? Any ideas as to how so many wormies decided to take shelter this winter in my pool?!
Could this be why the Ph level is so low right now? (Currently waiting for the kids to get home from school so they can finish the worm removal...)

 

[splashpad]

Poor worms (if they are of the earth type), otherwise um, yuck!

I think still water allows the PH to lower.

 

[Susiejax]

My pool is a worm haven during the winter too. I just scoop them out and vacuum to waste first thing each season. I think the black powdery stuff is actually pulverized worms, who stewed in the chlorine too long. I haven't come up with a good solution to keep them out yet.

In other news, the water was clear otherwise! Good views of all the detritus at the bottom of the deep end.
As always, thanks, TFP, for all your good advice.

 

[SandyO]

We definitely had a lot more worms this year when we opened also. Maybe double the amount we had last year. I'd love to know how to keep them out.

 

[Arizonarob]

 

[bmoreswim]

We probably only had 1/4 the worms we did last year. I find it can vary substantially by year here. I can't vacuum to waste but Fred, or whatever we are calling him this week, happily swallows them up for me to dump out.