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Do you have a swimming pool? If so, you might be able to help me figure this out! Please?! lol

by Robert Michael
24 replies
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There are these TINY, microscopic orange bugs that are flocking to the frame of the pool...

The frame is white - they appear to be attracted to bright colors, the brighter it is, the more they flock to it.

You can't step outside wearing a white shirt without them "attacking" you, even if you don't go anywhere near the pool..

So anyway - we had this same problem last year, and we never could figure out what they are, OR how to prevent them.

We've added top quality chlorine & algecide (from a pool shop, not the diluted crap Walmart sells) - but that only kills the ones that are already there..

20 minutes later there is a whole new group of them..

What are they, and how can I kill AND prevent them from coming back??

Please help, these little *******s are driving me INSANE!!!! lol
  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    Can you post a picture? Do they bite/sting? Are they active all year or only in the spring?
    In your neck of the woods (SC) it sounds like it MAY be the the female flower thrip.
    What can you do? Almost nothing until the mating season is over. Some say eucalyptus helps.

    My son is a budding entomologist ( like all little boys) and has brought home all manner of critter from all over the country.

    You can also try What's That Bug? Insect identification or http://bugguide.net
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    Na, they are too small to take a photo without using some super-awesome camera with like 10000x zoom LOL

    And yes, unfortunately they bite. Its nothing dangerous, but its seriously the most annoying thing ever.. I hate them.

    I just went & bought 8 tiki-torches with citronella oil, I'm hoping these will do something..

    If not I'll try some of the eucalyptus oil, I'd probably have to order that online tho. I don't think anywhere around here has it on the shelf..

    I just looked up "thrips" and I dunno, that MIGHT be it.. But I'm not certain.. The enlarged images look completely different from what they look like to the naked eye..

    Plus, whats making me even more angry, I have a bug zapper (the plug-in kind, not solar powered), 2 sticky things that are supposed to attract & stick flying insects, and they just dont seem to be working on these stupid bugs..
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    • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
      And yes, unfortunately they bite. Its nothing dangerous, but its seriously the most annoying thing ever.. I hate them.
      Yep I that definitely sounds like the female flower thrip.


      If not I'll try some of the eucalyptus oil, I'd probably have to order that online tho. I don't think anywhere around here has it on the shelf..
      Try any health food store, whole foods etc.

      I just looked up "thrips" and I dunno, that MIGHT be it.. But I'm not certain.. The enlarged images look completely different from what they look like to the naked eye..
      There are over 30 species of thrip. They come in blue, brown, and orange. The good news is once they've mated they're gone until next spring.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Ants herd these bugs -- so go get a few ant colonies and they will take care of the "ant cows" for you.

    Then all you have to do is worry about the ants.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    lol Sal

    I have tons of ant colonies in the yard, so if that were true I shouldn't have this problem in the first place

    I just want ALL these bugs to die.. every last one of them. Ants, spiders, stupid orange bugs that annoy me.. everything.

    I mean is that too much for a guy to ask?? haha
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    Hm.. How long is the mating season?

    And does it last longer down here since its warm year-round?
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Thrips don't bite. They suck the juices out of plant cells.
      Thrips are also elongated (even the larva).
      More likely they are Ceratopogonidaes or biting midges.
      Tiny Orange Biting Bugs Near Pool | ThriftyFun
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      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    YES!!! Those are those little *******s!!

    It doesnt say much on how to get rid of them, just links to Eucalyptus repellent by Cutter..

    Ok so now I have a new question - Is the lemon eucalyptus oil the same as the spray stuff? Like would that work the same, but I could just fill the torches with it instead of spraying?

    Ah hell.. I'm buying some of both just to be sure. LOL

    edit: hmm.. I can't tell from the photo if the oil is also a spray, or if you can use it in a tiki-torch.. blahhh
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      I can't help ya with how to get rid of them Rob, sorry.
      Up here we call them no-see-ums and they swarm in the spring.
      After that they aren't a big deal.
      I've had days where I look like I lost a street fight from beating myself trying to kill the little buggers
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      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    I beginning to think that Eucalyptus is the cure for all tiny bugs.

    More likely they are Ceratopogonidaes or biting midges.
    Thank you Thom. I will be sure to add these little critters to my son's bug book.

    Thrips don't bite. They suck the juices out of plant cells.
    Perhaps I smell like a plant but I've had orange thrips bite the crap outta me. .



    Spring is a horrible time to try to battle bugs. They're out trying to reproduce and man still hasn't found a way to combat nature's urge to mate. It's like fighting a Napoleon's army with spitballs.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    if they are no see ums, then MUMS ( the flower ) work really well.

    find organic bug spray made out of MUMs, if you cant find that , buy some potted plants

    if you crush the flower part into your hands then wipe your arms, they wont come near you...
    its poison to them... mosquito and most flying pests are repelled by the scent of mums...

    find the spray and spray it around the infested area, its oil based and will last for a while.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    I've had the little buggers here ever since the warm-up, a few months ago - still snow on the ground, with warm temps. I will have to live with them until it freezes up again.

    They are here day and night, and they are white in color.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    ok cool, thanks everyone!

    You don't think spraying the frame is a bad idea tho?

    I'm worried if I use some spray and it gets into the water, it might mess up the pump..

    Or am I just being too paranoid?

    Either way, I now have 2 sticky flying insect traps, a 2 acre bug zapper, and 8 tiki-torches with citronella oil surrounding the pool.

    LOL something out of these HAS to do the trick.. If not, I'll be adding the eucalyptus, and if that doesnt, I'll be starting a garden of those flowers around the thing. hahaha

    I'll have to remember to take a pic later tonight once it starts to get dark & I light the torches, you guys are probably gonna laugh like hell when you see all my bug prevention inventory.. I just hate the things man!!
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Whos That Guru View Post

      ok cool, thanks everyone!

      You don't think spraying the frame is a bad idea tho?

      I'm worried if I use some spray and it gets into the water, it might mess up the pump..

      Or am I just being too paranoid?

      Either way, I now have 2 sticky flying insect traps, a 2 acre bug zapper, and 8 tiki-torches with citronella oil surrounding the pool.

      LOL something out of these HAS to do the trick.. If not, I'll be adding the eucalyptus, and if that doesnt, I'll be starting a garden of those flowers around the thing. hahaha

      I'll have to remember to take a pic later tonight once it starts to get dark & I light the torches, you guys are probably gonna laugh like hell when you see all my bug prevention inventory.. I just hate the things man!!
      Can't be any worse then all the Chipmunk prevention I have around my garden, That isn't working
      Perhaps I smell like a plant but I've had orange thrips bite the crap outta me.
      No I misspoke Halcyon. There are some Thrips that feed on mammals. I've just got tunnel vision on the plant feeding ones because of an out break I've been dealing with in my indoor garden for the last year. I've gotten them well under control (and the spider mites) using Earth-tone Insecticidal Soap for Organic production and also Yellow and Blue sticky traps for the Thrips.
      I deserved them though. I know better then to bring soil into the house from my garden and not sterilize it and I did it anyways.
      I swear some days, if brains caused pain I wouldn't feel a thing
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      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Whos That Guru View Post

      ok cool, thanks everyone!

      You don't think spraying the frame is a bad idea tho?

      I'm worried if I use some spray and it gets into the water, it might mess up the pump..

      Or am I just being too paranoid?

      Either way, I now have 2 sticky flying insect traps, a 2 acre bug zapper, and 8 tiki-torches with citronella oil surrounding the pool.

      LOL something out of these HAS to do the trick.. If not, I'll be adding the eucalyptus, and if that doesnt, I'll be starting a garden of those flowers around the thing. hahaha

      I'll have to remember to take a pic later tonight once it starts to get dark & I light the torches, you guys are probably gonna laugh like hell when you see all my bug prevention inventory.. I just hate the things man!!
      Actually SOME of the insects are relatively harmless and EAT the others! Yeah, the "no see ums" are BAD!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    Ahh.. so the things Thom posted are referred to as the "no-see-ums" ?

    I always thought those would be chiggers, lol (which also suck!!!)
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Whos That Guru View Post

      Ahh.. so the things Thom posted are referred to as the "no-see-ums" ?

      I always thought those would be chiggers, lol (which also suck!!!)
      Nope those would be a type of mite, not to be confused with jiggers which are a type of flea
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      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    The "No-see-ums" I'm familiar with, are just really small gnats - you don't "seeum" until your vision gets blurry, you eyes focus on 'em, and you see a big swarm of 'em in front of you!
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    I'm happy to say that the torches/bug zapper/sticky things seem to work in harmony! Alone, they didnt seem to do much..

    But when I lit the torches, it drove the bugs towards the bug lamp, where they were zapped to bug hell. muwahaha > : D (<--evil laugh)

    I've had quite a bit to drink tonight, so don't mind the bad quality pix.. Just admire it! lol it was taken with my phone



    No bugs!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    I put in some more torches today & added a 'walkway' with one of the tarps, so I figured I'd share a pic!

    lol everyone says it looks like I'm about to 'cast away' someone, but I dont care!!! I think it looks AWESOME!!

    And the water is really warm too!



    PS: Still no bugs!! hehe
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    • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
      Originally Posted by Whos That Guru View Post


      PS: Still no bugs!! hehe
      And I bet it smells really nice with all of the products you used.

      Nice picture.
      I'm jealous because it still isn't warm enough in Cleveland to go swimming. It was warmer in February than it is now
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    oh hell yea, all you can smell is citrus! I love it.. lol

    And I hate to break it to ya, but I lived in ohio (akron/canton area) for 18 years before I moved to the south - its gonna be a long while before your pool warms up to where you can get in at night (unless you have a heating system)

    Down here, all you need is the sun
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  • Profile picture of the author seojouice
    You can use some heating system to heat the water. And one more thing, make clean the pool so that these bugs can not grew up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    My water is about 75 degrees, lol the sun is the only heating system I need (unless that was to Halcyon) however I do have a solar cover too. Havent used it, but I have it just in case. lol

    As for the bugs:

    Originally Posted by Whos That Guru View Post

    PS: Still no bugs!! hehe
    I got that problem solved, I just posted in here to show an updated photo with all the torches & the walkway.

    I now have 20 tiki torches, 2 sticky trap things, and a 2 acre bug zapper (plus the algecide, pH powder, chlorine, stabilizer, etc) so yea, I'm good. haha
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