Summer has arrived, you’re enjoying relaxing moments swimming in your pool while dreaming of the cocktail you’ll savor while drying off in the sun… When suddenly, your hand strikes a floating wasp corpse, while a mosquito flutters near your face and touches your ear. It is well known that insects can ruin your pleasant moments by the pool!

Attracted by the water, exposed skin, or the sweet scents of sunscreen, these little pests can quickly turn your swim into an annoyance. Although they are rarely dangerous, except for young children or people allergic to wasps, they remain a nuisance and can lead you to give up the pleasures of outdoor activities. Fortunately, solutions exist to keep them away or eliminate them, so you can enjoy the summer in your garden more peacefully.

Tips for repelling insects

Remove all stagnant water from your garden. This water effectively attracts insects that come to drink and, for mosquitoes, to lay their eggs. Be sure to remove water that might accumulate on your pool cover, empty the saucers under flower pots, and remove buckets or bins around the pool. This will help you reduce the mosquito population near your pool.

There is a multitude of insect repellents. It’s up to you to select the method that suits you best or combine several options for optimal protection:

• Anti-mosquito creams: containing DEET, a very effective chemical repellent, or based on citronella or geranium essential oils for a more natural alternative.
• Anti-insect products to spray in your garden, particularly in hedges and bushes near the pool.
• Repellent liquid solutions to pour into the water or in tablets to dissolve. Some options are also available in natural versions, without chemical additives. Always follow the recommended dosages and instructions for use.
• Anti-mosquito candles: to place around the pool or on the terrace.
• Insect traps: effective against flies and wasps.
• Anti-insect light bulbs: replace those in your garden streetlamps or on your terrace.
• Fly swatters or electric rackets: a manual method to quickly eliminate mosquitoes.
• Ultrasound devices or CO2 insect killers: more sophisticated and expensive, to be used only if necessary.

Eliminating insects from the pool

A pool with floating insects is not very welcoming. It is therefore preferable to prevent them from getting there and to remove those that have already fallen in as you go.

• The cover: Essential for protecting your pool, it also prevents insects from landing on the water when the pool is not in use, especially at night.
• The skimmer net: Before each swim, it allows you to manually remove dead insects.
• Filtration: Moving water repels mosquitoes; adjust the filtration time accordingly.
• Robot: Use it as needed to clean insects floating in the water.
• In a natural pool, you can opt for fish: for example, 3 Koi carp or 5 Orfes are enough to keep the pool clean and remove floating insects without using chemical products. However, be sure to use treatments adapted to the presence of fish in the pool.