Mosquitoes Control: Pool Invaders in Atlantic Highlands

Challenge

A homeowner in Atlantic Highlands contacted Cowleys because “strange” insects were swimming around in their pool. I was dispatched to the residence to determine the problem and get it resolved. Upon arrival, I inspected the pool and observed mosquito larvae, commonly called “wigglers,” swimming around the pool. Virtually all mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of stagnant water. While mosquitoes heavily breed in marshy areas, any water that has collected around a home, from tin cans and bottle caps to barrels, and in this case, a swimming pool, can be used by mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Culex mosquitoes lay their eggs at night, forming “rafts” of up to about 300 eggs. Mosquito larvae emerge from the eggs within a few days, and live in the water for up to 2 weeks, depending on water temperature. They breathe at the water surface and feed on fungi and other microorganisms in the water. The larvae molts a few times, becoming pupae, commonly called “tumblers,” that float on the surface. The adult mosquito is formed within the pupal case. While walking around the pool, which they had started to drain, I observed a puddle of water with pupae and one distinct emerging adult. 

This family had gone away for a week, and the power to the pool filter had been tripped, leaving the water stagnant. Opportunistic mosquitoes immediately took advantage of this stagnant water to breed. And the period from eggs to adults can be as short as a week. While all mosquitoes are a nuisance, only females actually bite. They require a blood meal for egg production, and will bite animals, warm- or cold-blooded, and birds. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases through their bites just like deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease. In New Jersey, there have been cases of mosquitoes transmitting West Nile virus, and the transmission of heartworm disease to cats and dogs is, unfortunately, all to common. The importance of giving medications to our pets to prevent heart worm cannot be over-stressed.

Solution

A day after the pool had been completely drained and the surrounding area dried had dried, we returned to power spray the surrounding areas where adult mosquitoes tend to rest. Although there may be some adult mosquitoes remaining from this mishap for a day or so, our treatment plan will quickly reduce the mosquito population. Homeowners need to be vigilant about stagnant water around the home. Unfortunately, with this Atlantic Highlands residence, the family happened to be away when the pool filter lost power. This call showed how quickly a mosquito population can escalate when given plenty of stagnant water to breed. Fortunately, the breeding was kept to a confined area and by draining the pool, waiting for the area to dry, and applying an effective chemical treatment, the family would be able to return to enjoying their yard and pool for the rest of the summer.