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Remove the puddle before treating it
For a solid pool cover that collects rain, buy a suitable cover pump if you can use it safely and keep it clear. An automatic model is worth considering when puddles return after each storm. Use a labeled mosquito larvicide only for water you cannot remove. If the pool itself is green or neglected, put pool service first.
Our pump pick is the Little Giant APCP-1700 for a compatible cover with deep enough pooled water. Skip it for a thin sheet of water, an unsuitable power supply, or a damaged cover. A larger motor will not solve those problems.
Allegheny County’s pool guidance calls for draining rainwater from covers after summer rain. This also explains the key split: water above the cover needs its own care, even if the pool below is maintained.
Match the purchase to the water
| Purchase | Buy when | Benefit | Skip or reconsider when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic cover pump | A compatible cover gets repeat puddles | Starts and stops by water level | Puddles are below its start depth; still needs checks |
| Manual pump or siphon | You can handle occasional draining | May avoid paying for automation | You cannot monitor it, or a siphon has no downhill outlet |
| Labeled larvicide | Suitable standing water must remain | Targets developing mosquitoes | Water can be removed, or the label does not cover the use |
| Pool or cover service | Water lies beneath a failed cover, or pool care has stopped | Addresses the larger problem | A simple, safe cover-water setup already solves it |
Before ordering, write down which water you mean: the puddle on top, water trapped in a cover fold, or the pool beneath. A cover pump does not run your filter. A larvicide does not repair a tear.
Our pick for repeat rain: Little Giant APCP-1700
Choose it for a purpose-built automatic setup, not for a promise of a mosquito-free yard. The wide base, removable intake screen, garden-hose adapter, and published support documents make it a strong choice to compare for a lasting cover-care setup.
Little Giant APCP-1700, model 577301
Look for the light-blue, single-pump listing. The brand specifies a 25-foot cord and a 3/4-inch garden-hose adapter. Confirm the cover maker permits the pump and its placement before ordering.
Allow $150–$250 for planning
An allowance for the pump, not a live Amazon price. Hose, tax, and electrical work are separate.
Check the APCP-1700 on Amazon →Automatic switching saves repeated manual starts. The removable screen gives you access for routine cleaning.
It leaves water behind. Shallow or separate puddles can remain outside the job it can do.
Little Giant: APCP-1700 features and performance
Check the start depth before ordering
The brand page says it starts at 2 inches. The linked revision 06 manual says 2.5 inches, with a 1-inch stop level. Plan for 2.5 inches and confirm the supplied unit’s instructions. Do not choose it to clear a half-inch puddle.
Little Giant: APCP-1700 manual, revision 06 (PDF)
For a cover that stays mostly dry or drains as designed, skip the pump purchase. Ask the cover maker about blocked drainage or poor fit first. Do not add weight or cut a drain hole to force a solution.
Measure puddles, rain, and the hose route
Yard acreage and pool gallons are poor ways to size a cover pump. Measure the cover area, check where water gathers, and trace the hose route. Several isolated pockets may need a cover adjustment or separate attention.
Useful rain math: one inch of rain on a flat 16-by-32-foot rectangle is about 319 gallons. On a 20-by-40-foot rectangle, it is about 499 gallons. This is area × rain depth × about 7.48 gallons per cubic foot. It is a planning estimate before runoff, sagging, or water escaping the cover.
Then ask how much water the pump can move through your setup. “GPH” means gallons per hour. “Head” means vertical lift. More lift reduces flow. A narrow, long, or kinked hose can also limit the result.
Do not compare horsepower alone. Ask for a flow chart for your exact pump and check the line for your vertical lift. The Little Giant series page shows why flow falls as the discharge point gets higher. Confirm the ratings for the unit supplied before deciding it can handle your rain.
Little Giant: pump performance at different heights
Timing example: if your actual setup moved 600 gallons per hour, 319 gallons would take about 32 minutes. That assumes steady flow and no new rain. It is arithmetic, not a measured drain time for our pick.
- Measure cord reach along a safe route, not in a straight line across water.
- List hose diameter, length, vertical rise, and where the outlet will sit.
- Choose a discharge spot that does not send water back to the cover or leave another lasting puddle.
- Ask how you will lift the pump out and clean it without stepping onto the cover.
When dunks or bits are the better next step
CDC includes pool-cover water and non-chlorinated pools among possible larvicide sites. Its advice is to treat standing water that cannot be covered, emptied, or removed, using the product label. Do not add extra treatment just because the pool looks large.
CDC: larvicides and pool-cover water
Bti targets mosquito larvae. It will not repel adults flying over the deck or make swimming water clean. Think of it as care for a specific water source, not a whole-yard shield.
For format details, read the slow-release ring explainer and our dunks versus bits guide. These help you compare formats before checking the package for your site.
For example, Summit’s Dunks label names unused pools and gives doses by water surface area, regardless of depth. Its table uses portions for small areas and one ring per 100 square feet above 100 square feet. Measure each water pocket. Do not use the gallons in the pool beneath as the dose.
Follow the package for handling, placement, and repeat use. A ring washed away from one pocket does not prove that every other pocket is treated.
A swimming pool needs a different purchase
If people swim in it, keep pool care on its own plan. CDC calls for water testing, correct disinfection, and pH control. Buy needed test supplies or arrange service when that care is missing. A larvicide does not replace it, and clear-looking water does not prove the balance is right.
Keep children from reaching the pool unsupervised. Fencing and gates remain part of the setup. Do not treat a tarp, leaf net, pump, or mosquito product as a safety barrier.
CDC: safe and healthy home pools
For a small fill-and-empty kiddie pool, CDC says to empty it at least daily, remove debris, rinse, and air dry. Skip a long-term water-treatment kit for that job. Larger pools with filters need the maker’s care directions.
CDC: care for small kiddie pools
If a full-size pool has been abandoned or its equipment has failed, ask a pool professional and local mosquito control for help. Do not empty it on impulse; get advice for its structure, liner, and groundwater conditions.
Plan the outlet and upkeep before buying
The APCP-1700 manual prohibits extension cords. Use a proper grounded outlet with GFCI protection. Unplug before handling or service, and keep hands and footing dry. If power cannot reach safely, include an electrician’s quote in the decision.
Keep the pump upright, its intake clear, and the hose secure. Check it daily in rainy periods. Do not let it freeze. Arrange cold-weather care before leaving the property for a long trip.
Little Giant: APCP-1700 manual, revision 06 (PDF)
What can make the purchase fail?
- Water below the start level: the pump may be working as designed while a puddle stays put.
- Leaves around the intake: a pump is not a leaf-removal service. Budget time to clear debris.
- A hose that loops back: inspect the outlet, not just the pump noise.
- A torn or poorly fitted cover: ask for repair advice. Endless pumping may be a symptom of a bigger issue.
- No one checks it: automation cannot confirm that the cover is dry after every storm.
A manual siphon may suit an above-ground cover with a lower discharge point. Check cover compatibility, hose reach, and how it is primed. Use a purpose-made priming method, never mouth suction. Do not assume a siphon can lift water to a higher outlet.
Budget for the whole setup
Use these broad U.S. dollar allowances to plan the purchase. They are not live prices, contractor quotes, or claims about market averages. Check the exact package and get local quotes before spending.
| Plan | Planning allowance | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Manual draining or siphon supplies | $25–$100 | Cover fit, safe priming, monitoring, outlet height |
| Automatic pump | $150–$250 | Start depth, included fittings, cord reach |
| Hose and fittings | $25–$75 | Diameter, length, secure connection |
| Small larvicide supply | $15–$40 | Allowed use, water area, replacement schedule |
| Cover repair, pool service, or outlet work | Get separate quotes | Scope, access, parts, follow-up visits |
Example kit: allowing $200 for a pump and $50 for a hose gives a $250 starting budget. Taxes, electricity, and any outlet work come on top. A cheaper pump can be the more costly choice if it does not fit your puddle or outlet.
Before paying for a replacement cover, ask for a written explanation of why the old one pools water. Compare repair, fit adjustment, and replacement. Keep the mosquito plan separate from claims about energy savings or pool safety.
What to do when poolside bites remain
Check gutters and drainage, plant saucers, toys, and stored containers. CDC recommends checking water-holding items weekly and removing their water. The source may be away from the pool.
For time on the deck, compare patio protection and sunscreen and repellent choices. Our picaridin format page explains a skin-repellent option. Follow its label around swimming and repeat use.
Use the product finder for the remaining bite or standing-water problem. Buy only after you know whether you need to remove water, treat larvae, or protect people outside.
Planning protection for people in a spa? Our hot tub mosquito-control guide compares enclosure fit, repeller water setbacks, safe fan placement, and full-season costs.
Planning water play at home? Our kiddie pool mosquito-control buying guide compares draining, covers, refill costs, and the limits of dunks in pools used by children.
Shopping for a robot to catch bugs on the water? Our robotic pool skimmer buying guide explains when surface cleanup is worth the cost and when pool care or bite protection comes first.
Pool-cover buying questions
Should I buy a pool cover pump or mosquito dunks?
Choose water removal first when your cover allows it. A pump removes the puddle; Bti treats mosquito larvae in water that must remain. Neither purchase repairs the cover or replaces pool care.
Which automatic pump is worth considering?
The Little Giant APCP-1700 is our pick for recurring cover water when its start depth, power needs, and cover fit suit the job. Skip it for thin puddles or a site without the right outlet.
Will an automatic pump remove every shallow puddle?
No. It may not start in shallow water, and folds can isolate puddles from its intake. Check both start and stop depths before buying. Inspect the rest of the cover after a cycle.
Why do APCP-1700 listings show different start depths?
The brand page lists 2 inches; its linked revision 06 manual lists 2.5 inches. Plan for 2.5 inches and confirm the instructions for the unit supplied. It is a poor choice for shallower puddles.
What pump size do I need for a 16-by-32-foot cover?
Cover size alone is not enough. Estimate the rain volume, then check flow at your hose size and vertical lift. One inch of rain over that rectangle is about 319 gallons before runoff or other losses.
Is a garden hose enough for the advertised flow?
Do not assume so. A hose adapter shows that a connection fits, not that it delivers the headline flow. Compare the maker’s flow chart and hose instructions with the route you will use.
Can I use an extension cord with the Little Giant pick?
Its linked manual says not to use an extension cord. Have a properly located outlet arranged before buying if the supplied cord cannot reach safely.
Can I leave the pump out all winter?
Do not let this pump freeze. Follow its manual and make a plan for cold weather and power loss. Automatic switching does not mean a pump needs no checks.
Are dunks a substitute for chlorine in a swimming pool?
No. Mosquito larvicide is not a pool disinfectant. A pool in use needs proper filtration, water testing, and disinfection. Do not treat a closed-pool label direction as a swimming-water instruction.
Can I use Bti in water on a pool cover?
CDC lists pool covers among possible larvicide sites. Use only a product whose label covers the site, and follow its dose and repeat directions. Remove the water when practical.
Do I dose larvicide by pool gallons?
Use the exact label. Some ring products dose by water surface area, regardless of depth. Measure the water being treated; the volume of the pool underneath is a different number.
Will a leaf net stop mosquitoes breeding on the cover?
Do not count on it. Ask whether water still pools below the net and how you will remove it. A leaf net is not a replacement for a suitable pool safety barrier.
Is a manual siphon a good alternative?
It can be worth considering when the outlet can stay below the puddle and the cover maker permits it. Choose a purpose-made priming method, never mouth suction. Check that water actually leaves the cover.
Should I drain the whole pool to remove mosquitoes?
Do not empty a full-size pool without advice for its structure, liner, and site. Ask your pool professional and local mosquito program about a neglected pool. Removing cover puddles is a separate task.
What should I buy for a small kiddie pool?
Start with daily care rather than a pump or larvicide. CDC says to empty small inflatable or plastic kiddie pools at least daily, clear debris, rinse, and let them air dry. Larger filtered pools need their own care plan.
Why do mosquitoes still bite after the cover is dry?
They may come from other water or nearby properties. Check containers and gutters, then plan bite protection for poolside time. A cover pump does not repel flying mosquitoes.
Sources and product directions
Reviewed October 4, 2026. Follow the label and instructions supplied with your exact product.
- Allegheny County: unused pools and cover water (PDF)
- Little Giant: APCP-1700 features and performance
- Little Giant: APCP-1700 manual, revision 06 (PDF)
- CDC: larvicides and pool-cover water
- EPA: how Bti works
- Summit: Mosquito Dunks specimen label (PDF)
- CDC: safe and healthy home pools
- CDC: care for small kiddie pools
- CDC: mosquito control at home