Having a swimming pool is so much fun! One of the most frustrating problems pool owners face is flying ants around the pool. Fortunately, you can do a few things to get rid of them.
To get rid of the flying ants around the pool perimeter, locate their nests and use ant bait or other appropriate pesticides. They are attracted to the water and the reflective surface of the pool, thus use a special unreflective pool cover when you are not using it. Tennis balls can also clean all types of ants in your pool.
If you want to learn the exact step-by-step process for getting rid of flying ants in the pool, keep reading our guide.
Why Do Ants Keep Getting in Pool?
Before proceeding to the remedies, we should find out why ants are attracted to your pool in the first place. After all, if you understand why these insects behave in a certain way, your battle with them will be more effective.
Why do ants keep getting in your pool? The answer is pretty simple. Ants are attracted to water. Just like all of us, insects need water to survive. That’s why ants try to build their colonies as close to the water resources as possible. As a result, the insects end up causing damage to various parts of your pool. And, of course, leaving hundreds or even thousands of dead ants behind.
Moreover, some things that keep your pool working (like a mechanical time clock or a pump) put off a magnetic field. The surprising part is that ants are attracted to this magnetic field.
Sometimes they might even start chewing on the exposed ends of wires. By the way, flying ants are also attracted to reflective surfaces, and that’s exactly what your pool becomes when the sun comes out.
Related: What Attracts Ants? Information and Facts
Are There More Flying Ants in Pool After Rain?
If you see an ant with wings, the insect is sexually mature, and the time has probably come for the ant to expand its colony.
How do the insects know when it’s the right time to leave their ‘home’? The flying ants need sunlight, warm temperatures, high humidity, and low winds to leave their homes. Ideally, it should have been raining for 3-5 days before that. This means that, yes, there will certainly be more flying ants after rain everywhere, not only in your pool.
Types of Flying Ants in Pool
Usually, if you find an ant in your pool, you don’t care what type it is. You just want to eliminate the annoying thing as soon as possible. However, figuring out what type of ant is in front of you can help you cope more effectively.
Black Flying Ants in Pool
Also known as the black garden ant or the common black ant. These insects are widespread and can easily appear in your swimming pool at one point. These ants’ flights usually occur during the hot summer months (July and August).
Related: How to Get Rid of Black Ants: A Complete Guide
Flying Carpenter Ants in Swimming Pool
You are also probably going to see flying carpenter ants in your pool. These ants have dark bodies with a narrow waist, bent antennae, and shorter back wings than the front ones.
Related: How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Without an Exterminator
Flying Ants or Termites in Pool
Termites can have wings, just like ants. However, there are some important differences between these insects. For example, termites have straight antennae, a broad waist, and wings that are longer than their body.
Flying Ants in Pool That Sting
Most of the ants don’t sting. However, they can bite, which can happen if you have some insects in your pool. First of all, flying ants appear during the mating season and are a bit more aggressive during that period. These insects can come in direct contact with your skin while swimming, but their bites are not painful or toxic.
Are Flying Ants Bites Dangerous?
We have already figured out that you can certainly get bitten by a flying ant while swimming in your pool during summer. Ants can bite with their pincers and then spray some formic acid into the bite, which can be painful. However, in most cases, their bite is not dangerous.
Unfortunately, some people are allergic to ant bites, and the consequences for those can be a bit more dangerous. So, if you are prone to allergies, be extra careful, and if you notice any symptoms, go to the doctor immediately.
How to Get Rid of Flying Ants Around Pool? Instructions
Method 1 – Special Unreflective Pool Cover
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As we already know, flying ants are attracted to reflective surfaces. If you close the pool with a special cover every time you are not using it, it will certainly have fewer flying ants and any other insects in and around it.
Method 2 – Tennis Balls
You might be surprised, but tennis balls can help you with your flying ant problem in the pool! Drop a few tennis balls in your pool. Thankfully, flying ants are not great swimmers, so they will look for something to hold on to. As a result, they will stick to the tennis ball’s surface.
Usually, 6 balls are enough, but you might need more if the infestation is severe. After that, use a pool skimmer to get the tennis balls with the ants out of the pool. Ensure that the mesh doesn’t have large holes, as the ants might fall back into the swimming pool.
Method 3 – Bug Zapper
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You can always use a bug zapper. Of course, this device is not something that you would want to place too close to the pool. In many cases, the bug zapper might work as it will attract the flying ants and keep them more interested than in your pool.
Method 4 – Ant Killer Products
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If you track down the nest, you can always use ant baits or strong pesticides to kill the colony. Ant baits are very effective, place them near their paths or colonies, and ants will take the bait and carry it back to their colony. After the other ants and the queen consume the ant bait, the whole colony will die.
However, if you spot only a few ants flying around your swimming pool, you can use an ant killer spray to kill them individually. If you think sprays are too toxic, we also have made a list of the best natural ant sprays.
Method 5 – Pest Control
Of course, the most effective method is to bring out an exterminator. A professional will treat the perimeter of your pool with a long-lasting pesticide.
Note: The best way to eliminate the flying ants is by combining a few methods and not just one. If you are looking for home remedies and natural ways of getting rid of flying ants, keep reading.
Ants in Pool Pump Motor
Ants find different types of enclosures and love to make a lovely shelter. So, you might end up having a whole ant colony inside your equipment, and there are quite a few things that keep your pool going, right?
In the worst-case scenario, ants can cause an electrical short circuit in your water pump motor. The ants can also build a mound directly underneath your pump motor. Mounds are made of various organic materials and dirt, so they hold moisture well. After some time, corrosion might also become a problem.
These insects can also eat your filter and leave cracks in your pool lining. To avoid these problems, you should have to call a professional. When dealing with electrical equipment such as pool motor pumps, the best action is to call ant exterminators. You can always use ant baits and various home remedies near your pump if they are not an option.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Flying Ants
It is quite normal if you don’t want to call an exterminator or use pesticides; after all, you might be afraid that your family and/or pets will also get exposed to the poison. Fortunately, a few natural home remedies can eliminate the flying ants in and around the pool.
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Natural oils are amazing for fighting all sorts of insects, and the great news is that essential oils are environmentally friendly and can make everything around smell nice. Putting oils directly into the swimming pool is not a very good idea.
But you can poke a few holes in a plastic bottle, add some oil inside, and then let it float in your pool. Flying ants hate the smell of peppermint and cinnamon, so they will stay away from the pool.
Smoke
Fire pits and tiki torches can act as a natural bug repellent. You can even try adding other ingredients to the fire to make it more effective (like mint leaves). However, please remember to be careful with open fire.
Bird Feeders
We all know that birds eat insects. Nuthatches, in particular, love snacking on ants. You can attract birds into your backyard or garden by hanging up a few bird feeders. As an additional bonus, birds are fun to watch, and you can enjoy their singing.
Now you know a few simple tricks and methods that you can use to keep flying ants away from the pool. They will help you finally enjoy your free pool time in absolute peace.
Always remember, if you have a bigger ant infestation around your pool or house, it is best to call professionals to do the job. Certain ants can be quite dangerous for your environment, and having them around your water pumps can create problems.
Related: How to Get Rid of Flying Ants: A Complete Guide
List of Sources
Ants Management Guidelines, University of California
Hansen L., Fredericks J., Henriksen M., Ant Survey Executive Summary: Exploring America’s #1 Nuisance Pest, National Pest Management Association
Ants, NPIC
Ants, Illinois Department of Public Health
Nyamukondiwa C., Addison P., Food preference and foraging activity of ants: recommendations for field applications of low-toxicity baits, Stellenbosch University
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