There are many natural options that you can use to get rid of boatmen, as they can become very annoying insects. These aquatic insects are clustered in numbers, so you need to be careful that they hide in your pool. Find out how you can keep boatmen out of your pool so you can jump in whenever you want.
Boatmen are insects that get used to living in ponds or swimming pools, and if they are not controlled in time, they can become a real pest. When you notice some insects in your pool or ponds, it will surely be the boatmen who are there.
When boatmen settle at the bottom of pools or ponds, they do so to lay their eggs to reproduce. Boatmen are considered freshwater insects, and at night they go flying in search of places where there is a large amount of water to feed.
As soon as you notice the boatmen, you can get rid of them faster than you think.
What’s A Water Boatman?
Contents
Boatmen belong to insects’ heteróptera species, and their name is because they have a flat body like a boat, and their hind legs are long like an oar. The average size of this type of insects is 13 mm long and can be found, especially in the Himalayas.
Although this insect is known for its preference for freshwater, it can also be found in saltwater. The boatman is lightweight, and when they choose to live in a pond, they stick to the vegetation at the bottom. To breathe, the boatman uses a wrap that is stored throughout his body and under his wings.
This insect swims with rapid movements to get organisms such as algae or other similar ones, to feed. The ferryman only feeds on underwater vegetation and does not bite humans. Although boatmen can become pests, they do not have any diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
The boatman is very similar to the water cockroaches, but they have very different characteristics.
Water Boatmen Vs. Backswimmers
Especially at night, it is normal for you to mistake boatmen for backstroke swimmers. However, there are some differences that if you learn them, you will know what kind of insect is in front of you. Like the boatmen, swimmers can also sometimes be seen inside the pools.
At night, both insects are often out searching for food, and you can tell if you have the lights on near the pool. Boatmen and swimmers, when they reach their adult stage, can fly, and they both have oval bodies, and that is why confusion can occur.
These are some of the differences that you may notice between a boatman and backstroke swimmers:
- Boatmen are flatter than swimmers on top.
- Most boatmen are brown while swimmers are black.
- Boatmen swim to the bottom of the pond in search of food such as algae or other organisms. Swimmers prefer to go in search of aquatic insects.
- Unlike swimmers, boatmen are more challenging to visualize, because they hide under debris found at the bottom of the water.
Do Water Boatmen Bite?
If you have been bitten by an insect and think you are a boatman, you are probably mistaking it for a swimmer. Unlike these swimmers, boatmen do not bite as they are more harmless. This insect will not try to bite, much less sting humans. Boatmen are herbivores and prefer to feed on plant materials or plant garbage.
Although boatmen do not bite humans, they can feed on other aquatic species while swimmers, in their adulthood, if they bite humans. Being more herbivorous, boatmen have a kind of nozzle with which they can feed on plant nutrients.
Algae are one of the materials that boatmen look for most to feed themselves; that is why they remain mostly in ponds and freshwater streams. When the boatmen feed on the plants, they spit on it to remove its outer layer. Then, they are responsible for sucking up all the nutrients to feel well fed.
If you are stung by a boatman, it will be by an adult, and if they do, it is because they may feel attacked or haunted. Otherwise, you will not receive bites from this insect.
How To Eliminate Water Boatmen In A Pool?
If you have noticed boatmen in your pool, you can use natural practices to get rid of them. The main thing is to carry out constant maintenance in your pool so that this insect has no excuses to stay in that place:
- Use products designed for pool maintenance and brush all edges. This way, you can eliminate the excess algae that exist and other debris.
- Spores can appear on pools’ surface, and you must remove them before they start to bloom.
- Use a pool vacuum so you can remove any plant material that is floating in your pool.
- If you see debris that has accumulated on the bottom, you should also remove it.
If boatmen enter your pool searching for plant debris to feed and do not notice these organisms’ presence, they will quickly retreat.
How To Prevent Water Boatmen?
You can keep boatmen out of your pool, so they don’t become a pesky pest. Primary care in your pool will be essential and place the essential chemicals for PH control. If you have a pool, you should know about the care that cannot be lacking in a pool:
Another advantageous option is to use a pool cover, and apart from keeping boatmen away, you can protect your pool from sunlight. You can find several models of pool covers in the market, and they turn out to be very necessary.
In swimming pool pumps, many residues accumulate that over time can affect their operation. You can clean your pool pump once a month, removing all the waste that boatmen like to eat. Filters should also be replaced regularly because algae build upon them.
While you are not using the pool, keep your lights off, as boatmen are very attracted to lights at night. By following the steps above, you can keep boatmen away from your property and your pool.
