ROACHES around my pool! EEEWWWW!

[poolmom06]

Thank you so much, I have to get some DE anyway, and I will get some bug spray also, and that should take care of them, now to get rid of all the mosquitos!!!

[caustik]

Are you sure they are roaches? I found 3 total now of this insect that has a roach body with large pinchers. I thought they were roaches, but some internet searching revealed they are called Giant Water Bugs or Toe Biters. Very comical.

Weird that they are a freshwater bug, yet were in my salt water pool.

[poolmom06]

do you have a picture ?

[CarlD]

I thought waterbugs were just 2" long roaches. The DE should work on them, too.

Oh, and please DON'T include pictures of the beasties...I used to see them when I lived in North Carolina.

[caustik]

do you have a picture ?

Here is one.

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/images/toebiter_tom.jpg

It is just a link to the pic CarlD, so you don't need to peak at it!

PS. This is a really good insect site. http://www.whatsthatbug.com/

[CarlD]

Good!
Then I won't have censor the ugly thing!

[Poolsean]

Is the DE you're recommending the same DE that is used in pool filters? I though the insecticidal DE was a finer grade than pool DE. The finer grade is actually smaller and have sharper edges that cut the insects walking on it, opening its guts and killing the insects. The normal Pool grade DE is too large to do this.

http://www.internet-grocer.net/diatome.htm

[CarlD]

Is the DE you're recommending the same DE that is used in pool filters? I though the insecticidal DE was a finer grade than pool DE. The finer grade is actually smaller and have sharper edges that cut the insects walking on it, opening its guts and killing the insects. The normal Pool grade DE is too large to do this.

http://www.internet-grocer.net/diatome.htm

Actually, it does work as an insecticide. My parents used to fight about it--Mom would steal some of Dad's DE to kill the ants in her gardens--and he would squawk that he needed it for the DE filter. Very entertaining for us and our wives!

It may simply not be as effective as the garden grade, but is definitely effective.