This is our first summer of paddling pool ownership and whilst setting about emptying and refilling it this weekend I noticed that along with the debris (couple of dead flies, small moths and a wet bumble bee clinging to a leaf for dear life) there were lots of tiny organisms swimming about in it!

Thes things were less than a mm long, thin and slightly wider at one end (the head end)

Something must have laid it's eggs in there and these were the result.

Pool must have been outside for about a week, and uncovered.

Anyone have any idea what they might be?

(The bumble bee made a full recovery bythe way after spending a couple of hours in the sun drying out.)

Mosquito larvae?

replace the water regularly.
If you leave it for that long it will start to stagnate and become a large pond full of bacteria and insects 😯

Yup, I think they could have been baby mossies.

I thought as much.

Regular water replacement it is then.

Ta

I have a 10ft paddling pool and chlorinate it, it costs buttons for the kit and lasts all summer.

or to cut down on the re-filling frequency just add salt.

do you not need to re-chlorinate at regular intervals?

If it's used by kids empty it each use or you'll end up with faeces soup.

I am the proud parent of toddlers, so after a weekend of them & their mates piddling in it I use it to water the garden.

Plus the missus is paranoid about them drowning in it if not closely supervised, so it has to be a small pool & left empty to maintain a relaxed household.

I am the proud parent of toddlers, so after a weekend of them & their mates piddling in it I use it to water the garden.

Agreed, toddler soup is great for the veggies. Just remember to wash thoroughly after picking.