Uh-oh, tiny black bugs in the pool after the rain? (detect and remove!) (2023)

There is little in life quite as refreshing as a dip in a sparkling pool on a hot summer day.

But as all pool owners know, a pool doesn't stay clean. Whether it's insects, leaves, dirt, algae, rodents, these are all things that most pool owners don't want to see in the water.

While many pool owners feel like they've seen it all, a new perspective is emerging: tiny black bugs in the pool after a rain. The pool may have sparkled before the rain, but now these little black critters are getting in the way of your next dip!

There are a few types of small black bugs that might invade your pool after a rain shower. Luckily, although none of them tend to cause much harm to people, they can be annoying for a variety of reasons.

Read on to find out how to tell what kind of tiny black bug has invaded your pool and how to get rid of it.

Types of small black insects in the pool

When trying to determine the nature of the error in your group, you should start by looking at their behavior. Do they jump, swim, hover, etc.?

It can also be helpful to catch some with a landing net or clear container for closer examination. Knowing what type of bug you are dealing with can help you better understand how to control your population.

There are several types of bugs in the crowd that could fit the description of being tiny and black:

• pool mites
• collarbones
• Travel

Fortunately, they are relatively easy to tell apart.

What are pool mites?

Pool mites, also known as water mites, often swim around your pool, especially after it rains. Certain species can be black, brown, or red.

They are very small, only 2-3mm in diameter and can look like a small round spider.

Pool mites thrive in moist areas and live in moist soil and plants around the pool. Also, they consider the algae and maggots that swim around their pool to be delicious food.

Although they eat larvae and algae in their tank, they do not feed on humans.

These mites can multiply very quickly, so it's important to get rid of them as soon as possible. As their numbers grow, they can attract predators like the notoriousSchwimmer.

What are collembola?

Springtails have been known to invade pools in large numbers. Most species are usually black, tan, or gray.

Springtails are generally slender and very small, about 1/16 inch long, about the size of fleas. They have antennae and a soft body.

Although small, they are often found in large numbers that easily attract attention.

Although they cannot swim, they are excellent swimmers on the surface of the pool. Because they don't have wings, they can't escape the tank.

You can try to shake the surface of the pool to force them to drown. Otherwise, spraying detergent around the perimeter is usually enough to drown them as well.

What are tripods?

Thrips are tiny, slender insects that are known to damage plants. Thrips are often small, only 1 to 2 millimeters long, and their color can range from yellow to black.

They can fly, which makes them very mobile and able to move quickly. Thrips can be difficult to control as they reproduce quickly and can hide in small crevices.

Thrips are one species of insect to keep out of the pool as they tend to sting, especially in large numbers.

Fortunately, thrips cannot swim and drown easily. They usually come near puddles because they like nearby vegetation or to hide from predators. Once in the water, they often cannot escape due to the slippery conditions.

What happens after the rain?

So do you want to know why there can be an increase in insects in your pool after a rain? There are a couple of reasons.

If conditions are damp around the pool after a rain shower, this can encourage insect growth and reproduction. Rain can also help some bugs get further and possibly into your pool.

The vegetation near the pool can also protect these small black bugs. Combining rain with wind is a favorable scenario that can lead you straight to the pool.

Rain can also encourage the growth of mosquitoes, which pool mites can attach to. This means that mosquitoes approaching your pool can take these mites with them.

In addition, when it rains heavily, the water level in the pool rises. If the level gets too high, it can prevent the skimmer from working.

Without the skimmer, surface water stops circulating, allowing leaves, bugs (like these black ones), and debris to collect throughout the pool.

How do you get rid of pool mites and other insects?

You don't have to live with pool dust mites because there are some tips that can help you get rid of them.

Here's how to get rid of pool mites and all other bugs, especially after it rains:

Tip #1: Get rid of algae

Many pool bugs rely on algae as a food source. Getting rid of algae is the key to eliminating insects.

Scrub any pool surfaces where algae may be hiding and shock the pool.

Periodic dosing with aAlgizidIt will also help keep algae at bay forever.

Tip #2: Clean your pool every day

Regularly cleaning the pool with a pool net is essential to eliminate other organic foods that these insects can feed on.

Pools with a built in skimmer help keep the surface clean while the pump is running. However, sometimes manual skimming is even more effective, especially after a storm has fouled the tank.

Tip #3: Vacuum and brush your pool regularly

Vacuuming your pool is just as necessary as brushing it. This is because all sunken debris and dead insects are removed. So use a pool vacuum to keep your pool clean.

Don't skip the brushing process either, as it loosens trapped dirt and hides all those little bugs in small spaces.

Tip #4: Surprise your pool

shockingUsing chlorine in your pool is a really effective way to kill any unwanted organic matter floating around in your pool water.

The amount of chlorine needed to line your pool will depend on your level of stabilizer or cyanuric acid. Increasing the free chlorine level above 10 ppm is usually sufficient to make the wash effective.

Within 48 to 50 hours the chlorine should return to safe levels, which are typically 1 to 3 ppm.

Tip #5: Adjust the scenery

Insects love to feed on plants, leaves, flowers and other plants. While good plant life creates an environment near your pool, it can be the source of small pests invading your pool.

Luckily, there are certain plants that repel pests, like lavender, catnip, rosemary, and sage.

How do you keep pool mites away?

As the saying goes "prevention is better than cure", it is helpful to know how to keep these insects out of your pool and how to keep them out.

To do this, proceed as follows:

• Place all lights as far away from the pool as possible as these insects are primarily attracted to the light.
• Keep vegetation away from the pool as some aquatic insects feed on these plants. Or choose pest repellent plants like lavender, catnip, rosemary and sage.
• Put the trash cans away from the pool as they also harbor a lot of insects.
• Remove all standing water sources from your garden, such as B. Bird baths, outdoor water toys or water bowls for pets. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, which can lead to more bugs around the pool.

Finale to take away

Tiny black bugs in your pool after a storm can be a frustrating problem for pool owners. However, by understanding the problem, taking preventive measures, and using effective removal methods, you can keep your pool free of thrips and other pests.

With a little effort, you can enjoy a clean and healthy pool throughout the bathing season.

Swimming well (pest-free)!