Swimming pools, both inground & aboveground are a great source of clean, clear summer fun & family enjoyment. However, good, continuous care must be given to properly treat the water when the pool is not being used. For health reasons, the pool must be properly sanitized & balanced (pH, Total Alkalinity, Water Hardness). The filter system must operate daily to clean the water.

What has all of this got to do with the "West Nile Virus?" Lots. A swimming pool that is left to stagnate & turn green with algae or other "undesirable conditions" will be a tremendous breeding ground for mosquitoes & other insect pests. Mosquitoes fly in, lay their eggs & go. A pool that is not properly maintained will allow this to happen. Mosquitoes must have water to breed so make sure there is no standing water in the yard. Actually, it only takes a week for standing water to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Preventative measures:
1. Run the pool filter daily about 12 hr. as a minimum. This will prevent stagnation.
2. Maintain the pool's Sanitizer in the recommended range.
3. Regularly clean, vacuum & brush the pool walls & surfaces to remove any type of bio-film that will attract mosquitoes.
4. Add an initial dosage of a good quality quaternary algicide (such as BioGuard® Back Up). Algicides such as Back Up® not only prevent algae; they also work as a surfactant in the pool water.
5. If the pool is to be covered, make sure the cover is completely drained of excess water. Observe the warnings issued by the local health authorities regarding standing, stagnant water.
6. Delay winterizing the pool until mid-October when we've had our first freeze and mosquitoes have been killed.
7. Delay winterizing to prevent build up of standing water on the pool cover.
8. Covered pools must be kept completely free of leaves & other debris. Debris & water left on the cover will decay over time providing a breeding area for mosquitoes & other insect pests.
9. Make sure floats, equipment and pool toys are stored so they will not collect water.
10. When backwashing make sure the water does not collect or puddle in the yard.
11. Check planting pots to make sure they are not holding water.

Swimming pools are a great center for family health & fun. In times of drought, they can also be a good source of clean potable water. Let's keep them clean & sanitary!  Pool products are intended for swimming pool use only. Do not use any swimming pool or spa product as a larvaecide or treatment of water outside of the pool or spa. It is a violation of federal law to use a registered product inconsistent with its labeling directions.

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If you still need help, here's how to reach us:

Telephone (during store hours): Stratford  203-377-0100
                                             
FAX: (24 hrs) 203-375-7787
Email: techhelp@parpool-spa.com

Some of the information contained in this article is courtesy of BioLab, Inc.