How to Keep Mosquitoes Away From the Pool in Your Backyard

Mosquito infestations are very common during the summer, especially around areas with water. Unfortunately, these pesky insects are known to cause itchy bumps on skin and can also spread Zika virus, West Nile virus, and other harmful diseases. 

To prevent them from making a home in your backyard it’s important to remove standing water sources. However, if you own a swimming pool, this can’t happen. Luckily, maintaining your pool with chlorine and a filter system can help deter them. Aside from keeping your pool water clean, there are other methods that can also help.

Why Do They Like Pool Areas? 

You may have noticed certain times of the day that mosquitoes seem to be most prominent around the pool. That is because most mosquitoes prefer hot temperatures, which is when your kiddos will also be out enjoying the heat. 

Hot weather and warm water are necessary for the laying of their eggs. Eggs are laid on the water and hatch into mosquito larvae which then feed on organic matter and breathe oxygen from the surface of the water. After a couple of days, they turn into full-blown, skin-piercing little monsters. They no longer need the water to live and breathe off of, but having a continual blood supply swimming around is enough incentive to stay and hang out.

6 Easy Tips for Keeping Mosquitoes Away From Your Pool

Here at EarthKind®, we are all about keeping the harmful chemicals away and providing natural ways to rid your life of pests. Below is a list of possible methods to help keep mosquitoes away from your pool and out of your yard:

Mount a Bat House  

One bat eats about 500 mosquitoes every night! Although they might seem unsightly and even a little creepy, bats are actually beneficial creatures to have around. Mount a bat house or two around the perimeter of your yard and watch these pests disappear overnight.

Use a Fan

Whether you are able to mount a fan above your pool or use a box fan when outside, mosquitoes will steer clear of the wind. Who needs nice hair when you’re in the pool anyway?

Screen the Pool

If you have the option of building a screen around your pool this works great for mosquito control as they will not be able to gain access to the area and will have no other choice but to try out your neighbor’s pool (oops!). 

Use Mosquito Repellents 

This can mean using a mosquito repellent product like Stay Away® Mosquitoes, or adding repelling plants and scents to the pool area. It is widely known that these pests don’t like the smell of citronella (which is a huge bonus for us!). Keeping citronella candles and other smells they find offensive can help in eliminating the problem. Plants like Rosemary, Geranium, Marigolds, Basil, Lavender, Peppermint, and Garlic are all offensive to their sense of smell and they prefer to keep their distance.

Keep Light on at Night

When it gets dark mosquitoes, much like other bugs, are attracted to light. So if you are enjoying a nightly dip in the pool, it would be a good idea to keep tiki torches or a yard light lit about 20 feet away. Just be cautious if the yard light or house light is next to a door—you don’t want them sneaking in behind you.

Get Rid of Stagnant Water

If your yard has any unnecessary water holes or bogs—they should be taken care of. Standing water could include a wheelbarrow that has collected rainwater over time, a spot in your yard that rarely gets sun and never seems to dry, or even a decoration like a bird bath. The pool, of course, is a different story. As most big pools can’t collapse whenever you need them to—using a pool cover to close them when not in use will help.

With the ongoing concern of the many viruses they carry, mosquitoes are proving to pose a bigger threat now more than ever—the itchy, red bumps that poke a dot the skin are no longer in the forefront for mosquito bite risks. It is important that we have the necessary information to keep these pests away from our families. Preparation is the best prevention.