Mosquitoes are one of the most dreaded insects and everyone hates having them around. They are not just pesky and annoying creatures, but sometimes they carry life-threatening diseases. But since we all know that mosquitoes are attracted to water, humidity, heat, .and people grouped together, could your hot tube be the perfect place for a mosquito buffet?
Mosquitoes can be drawn to hot tubs, most especially if there is not a strong chlorine smell emanating from the hot tub water. People soaking in the hot tubs and the naturally warm, humid atmosphere around it can very easily draw mosquitoes.
This however does not mean that you will continuously have to deal with these pests as a hot tub owner. This is why in this article, we will be looking through why and how your hot tub might be attracting mosquitoes, and the options available to you to deter the insects so that your soaks can be relaxing without having to squash a bug every now and then.
Do Mosquitoes like Hot Tubs?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is yes. Hot tubs have everything mosquitoes love which are; water, high temperature and humidity, and food in the form of human beings. The combination of these three just screams party to them. Since they drink blood, they are dependent on sweat and carbon dioxide emissions (which you will be doing a lot of in a hot tub) to find human beings.
Nevertheless, even though they may like hot tubs, the hot tubs do not constitute the ideal environment for them to thrive. With the hot tub pump on, the water is constantly in motion, therefore the mosquitoes cannot lay any eggs. Furthermore, mosquitoes do not like the chlorine smell that can come from the water as it ventilates.
The temperature of the hot tub may also be more than they can handle. Mosquitoes become inactive when the temperature drops to 50°F and below, they are also at their best at a temperature of 80°F. If the temperature in your hot tub is at 104°, the air around your head and shoulders will be humid but the temperature could be a bit hot for them to handle.
The lower you set the temperature of your water though, the lower the air temperature around your head and shoulders. And as long as it is not at 50°F and below, the more your chances of getting bitten
How Do I Keep Mosquitoes Out of My Hot Tub?
Adopting a preventive approach to mosquitoes is the best route to go. This is why we will give you some amazing tips to keep these pests away from your property.
1. Avoid Scents
It is a known fact that mosquitoes are attracted to body lotions, scented perfumes, and colognes, especially ones with floral scents, so be sure to avoid these. You should always try to take a shower before going into your hot tub, otherwise, these products could end up in the water and attract mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes also do not like essential oils, so some drops of these in your hot tub water will go a long way in keeping them out. You will need particular essential oils like;
- Citronella
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Lemon Eucalyptus
- Catnip
- Lemongrass
2. Keep Water Alive and Maintain a Clean Yard
When you inspect your yard after any rain, you could be surprised at the number of places water could linger. To eliminate all these places, fill in the areas of the yard that remain damp (even the small depressions hold enough water for mosquitoes to lay eggs), recycle old tires, turn over any buckets outside, and make sure all watering cans are dry.
For places, you cannot empty like water features, wading pools, birdbaths, and fountains, ensure you change their water weekly.
Also note that mosquitoes can neither breed nor develop in moving water, therefore if you have a fountain or other water feature, keeping it or them in motion will prevent the mosquitoes from moving in, settling, and getting busy.
Mosquitoes also love tall wet grass, piles of soggy leaves, and rotting logs. Mow the lawn regularly to ensure that you do not have a lot of grass clippings to deal with. Always rake, clear away, and dispose of leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, or palm fronds. Never leave them to get sodden in the rain.
Pay close attention to areas of the yard that are always moist like underneath decks. Keep these areas free of organic debris and it will allow any water to drain into the ground or evaporate into the air before the mosquitoes have a chance to lay eggs.
3. Purchase a Hot Tub Cover
It is good advice to keep your hot tub covered when it is not in use. Even though it is unlikely the pool water will ever be completely still, it can still be inviting to mosquitoes, and look like a great place for them to lay eggs. Covers also serve other great purposes, so be sure to pick one up.
4. Maintain Proper Pool Chemistry
A pool that is full of clean, balanced water and that is being turned over by the pump every day will not be habitable to mosquitoes. Ensure to keep up with pool maintenance like cleaning the filter and skimmer regularly. You can also create and stick to a pool maintenance schedule to ensure that the pool always stays clean, clear, and pest-free.
5. Put ON Some Fans
Mosquitoes are not strong fliers, therefore they are unable to fly against or near a fan as they are unable to contend against strong air current. Many organizations recommend using a large fan near outdoor gatherings in order to keep insects at bay.
6. Insect Repellents
A less toxic and easy way to keep mosquitoes at bay is with repellent incense sticks such as Murphy Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks. All you have to do is stick them in a nearby plant in the dirt or in a few incense holders around the perimeter of the tub, then light them as you would incense. They are a blend of essential oils (which keep away mosquitoes) and are not chemical-based.
To avoid the pungent smell from incense, you could try the Thermacell Mosquito Repellant Patio Lantern which runs off a butane cartridge (a battery version is also available) that heats its allethrin impregnated pad. Allethrin is the effective ingredient in a lot of mosquito products that are labeled deet-free.
It gives off fumes that paralyze most flying insects that come into its zone. It protects anyone within a 15-foot zone, which is ample space for most hot tubs. It is easy to keep out of reach of children coupled with no smells nor exposed poisons.
Once mosquitoes are kept at bay, there is a high chance of keeping them out of your hot tub.
What Kind of Water Attracts Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water or stagnant water. You may be astonished at just how little of this water they need to breed. Mosquitoes do not need a large amount of water to reproduce, they can lay enough eggs in as little as a bottle cap full of water.
While it can be very difficult to locate and get rid of each and every single source of standing water around the yard, there are some common sources you may not be aware of, including;
- Flower pots
- Discarded cups
- Trashcan lids
- Grill covers
- Tires
- Buckets
- Clogged Gutters and Drains
You can get rid of all these that you do not make use of, upturn them, or drill holes in their bottoms. This will ensure that water drains from them when it rains and cannot collect in them to make a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Ensure that you also properly drain your gutters and drains by cleaning and maintaining them. Clogged gutters and drains give mosquitoes two things; standing water and a place to hide, which is what they need to reproduce and invade your yard.
Never leave your pet’s water bowl outside for an extended period of time as this gives mosquitoes undisturbed, freshwater that will attract them to your home.
Do Hot Tubs Attract Bugs?
Hot tubs attract people to them frequently and are incredibly relaxing, and just like they are attracting people they can also be a magnet for unwanted bugs and critters.
During the hottest months of the year, insects like wasps and bees are on the hunt for a water source and once they find one they continually return to it by committing the location to memory. It becomes more convenient if a nest or hive is built close by or make their way inside of exposed cracks and crevices.
Always inspect the hot tub for cracks or holes that can be easily access by insects. Once any is found, they can be patched with foam insulation or wood putty.
Can Mosquitoes Lay Eggs in Chlorinated Water?
Mosquitoes will be able to breed in chlorinated water, except the concentration of chlorine is too high for them. Chlorine concentration fluctuates with the volume of organic material in the water, and in those places where more chlorine has to be added constantly to make sure water does not comprise substantial concentrations of viable bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
The usual concentration of chlorine in drinking water is between 0.2–0.5 mg/L, which is not enough to kill mosquitos or their larvae, and which is enough to be safe from bacterial growth for very long. This is why drinking water left in a pail, birdbath, or plastic pool could breed mosquitos.
Nevertheless, properly chlorinated hot tub or pool water has a higher concentration of chlorine, but once it stands for a lot of days, it gradually loses chlorine potency; and this happens much faster once it is not kept clean. Consequently, a pool that has floating leaves, etc. after a few weeks will be enough to sustain the breeding of mosquitos.
Do Hot Tubs Attract Snakes?
Hot tubs comprise enclosed spaces, warmth, and a lot of places to burrow into. Yes, hot tubs attract snakes due to their skill to hide concealed in warm spaces. Most times, human activity around a hot tub like leftover food bits attracts rodents, and rodents, in turn, attract snakes.
Snakes are not at the outset attracted to hot tubs, they are attracted to the garden or backyard in search of food and the type of snake is dependent on your locality. Log piles, rock gardens, hollow tree stumps, long grass and some plants like myrtle, vinca, and vines attract snakes.
Places such as these that allow them to go about undetected and give them shade from the heat of the midday sun and cooler night air allow them to flourish.
To keep snakes out of your hot tub water, leave the cover on, in good condition and well fitted when not in use. Keeping vermin-like rodents and other small mammals away with traps will also keep snakes at bay. Things with pungent smells like essential oils, naphthalene, or crushed garlic cloves in oil will also put them off. Alternatively, you could try products like Snake-A-Way.