05/18/2026
CLEAN SWIMMING POOLS:
Essential for Staying
Mosquito-Free
Unmaintained swimming pools can be a significant risk to public health. Why? If
swimming pools are not regularly cleaned and maintained, a single swimming pool
can produce millions of mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile virus.
Mosquitoes need standing water to complete their life cycle, and if a pool is not
cleaned regularly, it can become a major source of disease-spreading mosquitoes.
Residents are responsible for maintaining their swimming pools and making sure
they don't produce mosquitoes. Regular pool maintenance includes:
Keeping water clean, clear, and recirculating
Regularly chlorinating and testing the pool to maintain disinfection levels
Maintaining proper pH levels (between 7.2 and 7.8)
Running the pool filter on a regular basis as required (4-8 hours/day)
Keeping filters clean and the pump in good condition
Skimming the pool surface and vacuuming/brushing the walls weekly
Keeping pool covers in good condition and appropriately sized for the pool
Not allowing water to stay on the surface of pool covers
Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent a mosquito problem in a pool. If a
pool is not maintained, controlling mosquitoes can become a year-round challenge,
but fortunately there are solutions that are free or low-cost to fix or prevent a larger
mosquito problem.
