Hi all, new to being a pool owner and just recently took over from my pool builder. We have these little tiny black bugs all over my cover and I my water. Not sure what kind of bugs they are but anyone know what kind they are and how to get rid of them. I have ordered a tf-100 test kit but have not received it yet so I'm not sure what my water chemistry is. Our pool did sit with water in it for most of the winter while we worked out some issues we were having with our pool builder so I'm sure that there might be some algae or something that may be attracting them to the water. Any info or. Insight would be greatly appreciated.
What kind of bugs are these?
- Thread starter kellerman84
- Start date
Shirker
0
- Jul 2, 2014
- 749
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Google "springtails" and compare to what you see. Springtails are tiny, much smaller than the smallest ants. They'll generally float on top of the water in large swirling groups.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
If you've identified them as springtails, you can find some info HERE. Here's a previous thread on the same subject. The key is to eliminate nesting areas around the pool...
www.troublefreepool.com
?is it black algae?
Over the past mo (since leaves had gotten in the pool) I keep seeing pinpoint blackish areas that clump together on top of the water. The pool is clear not cloudy and all my chemical levels are right where they need to be and have always been good. I wasn't sure if it is even algae, it looks...
www.troublefreepool.com
do you have a lot of mustard weed up there this year? I have a bunch of these little things all around and in the pool. whatever they are, they will go away in a few weeks. they almost look like adult aphids (except for that one wasp or flying ant), but I don't seem to have aphids on plants anywhere.
these are on my worn out solar cover so those circles are the bubbles which are less than a half inch across.
these are on my worn out solar cover so those circles are the bubbles which are less than a half inch across.
Palpatine
Bronze Supporter
Finally figured out what all these little nasty bugs are after doing research on this forum. These Springtails are a nightmare. I have one of those superfine nets and it took me like 8 trips around the pool to finally skim them out the other day. Looks like you have a bunch of mud on the bottom of your net when done. However, go dump them far away from your pool otherwise they'll just bounce back and wind up back in your pool. I walked my net to the front of my house and dumped them in the street.
I read in another thread where someone suggested to put your skimmer on full blast and hose them into your skimmer... actually worked great, and much less of a workout.
They are a frickin nightmare to deal with. I've had to manually vacuum my pool twice in a few days... yesterday the bottom of my pool was absolutely disgusting with the sheer volume of them.
I just put a call into my exterminator and am going to have them douse the side of my house facing my neighbors yard. They have a pond and all kinds of mulch and greenery in their backyard so I'm fairly certain that's where they're coming from.
Not sure what my exterminator uses... but I've heard that Talstar P, and/or Demand G Granules is what others have used to get rid of these annoying critters. Or at least keep them at bay.
Any other suggestions are much appreciated.
I read in another thread where someone suggested to put your skimmer on full blast and hose them into your skimmer... actually worked great, and much less of a workout.
They are a frickin nightmare to deal with. I've had to manually vacuum my pool twice in a few days... yesterday the bottom of my pool was absolutely disgusting with the sheer volume of them.
I just put a call into my exterminator and am going to have them douse the side of my house facing my neighbors yard. They have a pond and all kinds of mulch and greenery in their backyard so I'm fairly certain that's where they're coming from.
Not sure what my exterminator uses... but I've heard that Talstar P, and/or Demand G Granules is what others have used to get rid of these annoying critters. Or at least keep them at bay.
Any other suggestions are much appreciated.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
I'm still fighting the battle against them. I've done three applications of Talstar P over the last 4 weeks. The first two doses seemed to do little. My last application was about one week ago. For the last two days, I have seen no springtails (or any other living insect for that matter). Before my last application, I watched where the insects were coming from and moved some mulch around. I'm pretty sure I found a couple nests as I crawled around on my hands and knees.
I'm no expert, but most insects will respect an insecticide barrier. These things crawl right over the barrier protection and jump into the pool where they die relatively quickly.
If you have luck with the exterminator, let me know what your exterminator uses and how he applies it.
I'm no expert, but most insects will respect an insecticide barrier. These things crawl right over the barrier protection and jump into the pool where they die relatively quickly.
If you have luck with the exterminator, let me know what your exterminator uses and how he applies it.
Palpatine
Bronze Supporter
PoolNewb2020
Well-known member
I don't know if this product will work on the bugs you have, but it has worked for me on everything else around the house, from mosquitos, ants, spiders, wasps, etc. I just got a 1 gal garden sprayer, mix per directions and spray around the house, foundation, fence, bushes, even ground. Works very well.
Bifen XTS is oil based and lasts longer. The also have a water based version called Bifen I/T.
Bifen XTS is oil based and lasts longer. The also have a water based version called Bifen I/T.
Amazon.com: Bifen XTS Bifenthrin Concentrate 1 Quart: Industrial & Scientific
Buy Bifen XTS Bifenthrin Concentrate 1 Quart: Repellents - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Palpatine
Bronze Supporter
@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta My exterminator just left... unfortunately, no magic man.
He sprayed a concentrated Bifen all over and then threw down some Talstar Granules. He said it will "knock them down, but likely won't stop them completely." Went on to say I should see a noticeable difference but with the Springtails you just need to ride it out for another month or two. This is their season.
He charged me $75 and I won't be paying him to do it again. If/when the issue persists, I'll buy the Talstar liquid, mix it myself, and lay down the granules. Will be around the same cost to buy the stuff myself and then I'll have the ability to do multiple treatments when necessary.
I did check with my neighbors and they allowed us to throw the granules on their side of the bordering wall... so I am hopeful as I do see them coming from that side of my house.
Just dumped a gallon of chlorine in the pool to kill whatever pesticides wound up in there as he doused my coping with the Bifen...
Anyhoo, fingers crossed, I'll update if I have any success. Good luck!
He sprayed a concentrated Bifen all over and then threw down some Talstar Granules. He said it will "knock them down, but likely won't stop them completely." Went on to say I should see a noticeable difference but with the Springtails you just need to ride it out for another month or two. This is their season.
He charged me $75 and I won't be paying him to do it again. If/when the issue persists, I'll buy the Talstar liquid, mix it myself, and lay down the granules. Will be around the same cost to buy the stuff myself and then I'll have the ability to do multiple treatments when necessary.
I did check with my neighbors and they allowed us to throw the granules on their side of the bordering wall... so I am hopeful as I do see them coming from that side of my house.
Just dumped a gallon of chlorine in the pool to kill whatever pesticides wound up in there as he doused my coping with the Bifen...
Anyhoo, fingers crossed, I'll update if I have any success. Good luck!
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
I appreciate the response. My springtails came back. Since I've been spraying I have noticed a reduction. Yesterday, I pulled up some Flagstone steps that I have in mulch. There were thousands of them hiding there. I'm going to pull up all of the stones this weekend and try to Bifen them to death.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Lifted all the flagstone steps set in mulch yesterday and sprayed a heavy dose of Talstar P (Bifen). There were hundreds under a few of the steps. The flagstone steps were moist underneath despite no irrigation in this area. I think the heat from the flagstone during the day is causing the condensation when it cools down overnight. Checked again today and there were still some springtails underneath. Sprayed again. Can't seem to kill them off. I'm thinking about replacing all the mulch with pea gravel. Here's a pic of what they look like in the pool.
Palpatine
Bronze Supporter
Mine look like black specs... almost like fleas, but they don't bite.
Maybe try a grenade.
Maybe try a grenade.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,136
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Last edited:
Palpatine
Bronze Supporter
Yesterday and the day before were slightly better. Today was noticeably better. Thanks for asking... definitely jinxed now for saying that, lol.