What is this about? Could these be mosquito larvae? Among other things, pay attention to the color: Depending on the species, mosquito larvae are often beige-brown, but can also have a reddish color. But that's the case with the mud tubeworm (Tubifex) is also the case, but they clearly differ in their length and the location where they are. What do you do if you have mud tubeworms in your pool? How do you eliminate and prevent them?
This is what the mud tube worm looks like
- up to 2 mm thick
- between 2.5 and 9 cm long
- reddish color that can go towards pink
- They cannot swim but stay at the bottom where they are anchored in the mud
Is this type of worm dangerous?
The answer is quite clear: no. They do not affect people or animals, so you don't have to worry about your health. However, in most people they trigger a feeling of disgust (like most worms and insects in the pool).
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Why do the worms appear in the swimming pool?
You may not like it, but if you have mud tubeworms in your pool, that usually means the quality of the water isn't right either. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have neglected your pelvis. However, it may be that the chemistry used is not sufficient, even though you use it regularly.
Heavy organic pollution leads to mud tubeworm infestation. This means that the values for, for example, nitrate, nitrite or ammonium are higher than recommended. Specifically in the pool, this can happen due to cream residue, but also other cosmetic products or normal dust.
Don't underestimate how quickly these and other pool animals reproduce! For this reason, you should act as quickly as possible if you spot unwanted insects. Because the longer you wait, the longer the removal will take.
How to combat mud tubeworm in the pool
In a few simple steps you can fight redWorms in the poolproceed:
- The landing net
If you have a landing net that is long enough, you can first use it to work around the bottom of the pool and collect the mud tubeworms. As you already know, that's exactly where they are. You won't be able to remove all worms this way, but you will at least be able to significantly reduce the number.
- Skimmer and filter system
Skimmers and filters or pumps should initially be connected and used. What's the point of that if the worms are on the ground and this cleaning is mostly intended for the surface?
It's simple: Everything that lands on the surface of the water or otherwise floats around in the water will sooner or later reach the bottom. And this in turn turns everything into food for the mud dwellers. So with this cleansing you are depriving them of food.
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- A pool robot
If you have one available (or would rent one), a pool robot that vacuums the pool floor would also be a good idea that you can use in addition to the skimmer and filter system.
All three tools need to be cleaned regularly to dispose of trapped worms.
- Improve water quality
Obtain a test kit to check the water levels. If these are correct, the pool water should be so hygienic that no swimming insects and worms feel comfortable in it.
Test the pH, alkalinity and amount of chlorine and, if the water is cloudy, also the calcium. The following values are considered optimal:
PH value: between 7.2 and 7.6 (if it is too high, chlorine cannot work)
alkalinity: between 80 and 150 ppm
Chlor: one die 3 ppm
calcium: between 200 and 400 ppm
Notice: Sun rays break down chlorine, so it is recommended to check the value regularly.
These steps must also be followed to prevent worm and beetle infestations.
- Shock chlorination with pool shocker
At night, so-called shock chlorination is recommended, in which the water is disinfected even more quickly than with normal chlorination. Chlorine is also used, but a variant that is not stabilized. This means that after it is put into the water, it breaks down very quickly (actually no longer than half an hour).
Why at night? So that the effect is not reduced by the sun's rays.
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- In extreme cases: water change
Please follow the regulations for this. Water that contains too many chemicals (for example because you have recently chlorinated) should not seep into the groundwater.
Whether the effort is worth it probably depends on how far the summer has progressed. Both the new water and the subsequent chemicals cost a lot of money. If you only have a few weeks left to bathe afterward, the step may be unnecessary.
What you can do against the yellow-breasted beetlefind out here.
Titelbilder: JuanCarlosPalauDiaz; breezemaker/Shutterstock
