Yes, some breeds of mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in saltwater. Female mosquitoes suck blood to get the nutrients they need to build their eggs.
It is well known that the larvae of certain mosquitoes can thrive both in fresh water and in water of a high degree of salinity, while the larvae of other mosquitoes are quickly killed by salt water ; and that such differences may exist even between local races of the same species (Evans, 1931).
If your pool is full of clean, balanced water that's being turned over by your pump every day, it won't be habitable for mosquitoes. Keep up with pool maintenance, such as cleaning your filter and skimmer regularly. Create and stick to a pool maintenance schedule to be sure your pool stays clean, clear, and pest free.
Residents in St. Johns County and throughout coastal Florida areas know that the existence of salt water does not keep mosquitoes away from their homes. That's downright ridiculous. Whether it's a saltwater marsh, river, or estuary, mosquito eggs can be deposited in any of them!
Mosquitoes love water, but that doesn't mean your pool has to be a gathering spot. Regularly cleaning your pool can help to keep mosquitoes out of it. Water with chlorine isn't an ideal spot to lay eggs.
Mosquitoes in Pools
Mosquitoes develop in dirty, algae-filled water. If not maintained properly and regularly, a single 'green' swimming pool can produce up to 3 million mosquitoes in one month. Pools that produce mosquitoes are public health risks.
Remove Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so it's important to eliminate any standing water around your pool area. This includes emptying and refilling birdbaths, cleaning out gutters, and making sure any containers or objects that can hold water are emptied or stored away.
Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away?
Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents: cinnamon, peppermint, cedar, citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, catnip, lavender, and more. Find a favorite, and use it when you want to spend time outside.
You can stock your pool with fish – particularly those species that kill mosquitoes such as gambusia (as the fish stockiest.) Most fish will eat the larvae, but if you can get a specialist fish then do so. If you see wriggling creatures in your pool then these will likely be insect larvae (known s wrigglers).
Background & objectives: Mosquito larvae can develop in fresh, salty and brackish water. The larvae of Aedes aegypti develop in fresh water. However, in laboratory studies, tolerance of this species for oviposition and hatching in brackish water was observed.
If you maintain your swimming pool with chlorine and a filter system, it is a very poor site for mosquitoes to breed. Most pools are too deep and have too much chlorine for mosquitoes to use. If you do not clean and maintain your pool, it can become a breeding area.
Get rid of standing water.
Old or stagnant water is a mosquito haven. Be sure to dump water out of the kids' pool toys or rafts and let them dry in the sun before putting them away. Also, check around the perimeter of your home for any water that might have been left standing after a rainstorm.
Things like your blood type and how much lactic acid you have on your skin play a big role. In the past, popular wisdom suggested wearing perfume, eating salty snacks or foods with potassium, such as bananas, increased your risk of mosquito bites.
Dragonflies
Why not use a helpful insect to fight a harmful one? In the realm of animals that help maintain mosquitoes, dragonflies are among the most unique.
Deter Insects
We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. Dab a bit on your arms, legs, neck, or other areas of exposed skin to keep bugs (including mosquitoes) at bay, however, it is not as effective at preventing bites as a commercial insect repellant.
A "green" swimming pool is a pool hat has been neglected and has resulted in the build up of pool algae. These pools attract mosquitoes who breed and could multiply into the millions. Mosquitoes need only a 1/2 inch of standing water to breed and turn into biting adults.
Mosquitoes Enjoy Hanging Out at the Beach
Plus, you get that breeze off the ocean, which some people believe keeps mosquito activity at bay. It does not. You can get mosquito bites at the beach, too. That's because mosquitoes tend to gather wherever there's water.
The lighting of your pool will attract bugs and other pests, because it will warm them up and provide energy.
Chlorinate and disinfect
Although chlorine alone won't kill mosquito larvae, it will help maintain the pool's health and hinder larvae growth.