We all may have at some point seen tiny red worms in our pools. To most of us, this may have been our first experience with the creatures, so we don’t know much about them.
The emergence of tiny red worms in pools has made lots of pool owners to be concerned about the nuisance these little creatures can cause. But don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place as we have the solution for you in this article.
Why are there worms in my pool?
The emergence of tiny red worms in pools is a result of midges harshen eggs in your pool because your open pool water is still and stagnant. This situation is the preferred breeding ground for midges. Under the right circumstance, the eggs turn into larva in two to three days before becoming blood worms. From their tiny state, before they turn to red hue, they feed on algae and organic matter. After four extra weeks, they turn into full-blown adult midges before exiting your pool.
Before you panic, note that red worms are harmless and not infectious. They don’t carry any disease and are the major source of food for fishes, insects, and birds. These red worms can clean your pool of any algae by eating them, but the sight can terrify the pool users.
Even though they are harmless, the sight of these tiny red worms in your pool means your pool is not in good condition because for them to survive they need algae to feed on and still water to settle.
How to handle the situation with the Red Worms
To remove red worms from your pool, you need to clean your swimming pool (above ground pool or inground pool). This operation would also ensure that other organisms are not in your pool. How do you clean the pool?
You can;
- Skim the pool: with the use of a leaf skimmer, you can remove these small worms and any other material floating on the surface of your pool. Get them out of your skimmer by tapping your skimmer.
- Vacuum the pool: you can use a pool vacuum cleaner to remove the worms stuck at the bottom of the pool. This way, you can even remove the dead worms.
- Clean the pool filter: you should also clean your filter regularly to get rid of the midges. If you cannot do it, use the user manual, so you don’t get things stuck on your filter.
How to prevent tiny red worms in pool
To prevent tiny red worms from getting into the pool, you need to maintain the pool regularly. You can manage your pool by;
- Running your pump at least once every day to make sure your water circulates the pool. This will prevent the development of algae and bacteria.
- Always test the pH and chlorine level of your pool regularly to ensure that your pool is safe for swimming. If their level is not good enough, you can shock the pool.
- Regularly scrub the walls and floor of your pool with a brush to remove the algae and bacteria.
- Always keep your facility covered when not in use. Also, switch off your lights as they attract these creatures.
Conclusion
Having a red worm in your pool is not a bad thing; however, they indicate that everything is not right with the pool. Find out what the problem is and look for its solution.