Private pool - is it a bad thing to have no screen?

[trinchick]

We're looking at several potential vacation rentals. One of them has a lovely back yard and pool - but no screen. I'm worried about bugs - but then I thought there's no screen over the large community pool, so what's the difference? Is there a difference?

Is the screen essential for bug control, or is it just good to keep debris out of the pool? Would you consider renting a home without a screened pool?

Thanks!

 

[staceyrhood]

I wouldn't worry about it, a lot of the homes do not have a screen. It might keep some bugs out, but some will still get in. My in laws have a screen over their pool, and we still got bit last year by Mosquitos and no seeums at night time. Like you said, neighborhood pools and resort pools don't have them. If it's a great house and pool area. Id go for it have a fun trip!

 

[JimMIA]

We've had homes with screened pools and unscreened. Our current home has a unscreened pool and we like it a lot better because it's more open and prettier.

A screened enclosure may help a little with bugs, but if there is something to eat or bite, they'll find their way in. IF the bugs are out, you won't be -- whether there is a screen or not.

I would not even consider whether the pool is screened.

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm amazed at how many more houses I see in Orlando that have screened pools when compared to Miami.I'm in Miami and have an unscreened pool,bugs definitely get in and end up in the pool but it looks and feels more open and nicer than a screened pool,although I'm not totally against screens.

 

[Tink575]

We're looking at several potential vacation rentals. One of them has a lovely back yard and pool - but no screen. I'm worried about bugs - but then I thought there's no screen over the large community pool, so what's the difference? Is there a difference? Is the screen essential for bug control, or is it just good to keep debris out of the pool? Would you consider renting a home without a screened pool? Thanks!

It depends upon when you are visiting. During love bug season it is so bad we won't go to our community pool, we stay by our own screened pool. We have a house in a community a few miles from WDW.

 

[NinaBella]

The "screen" you are referring to are called a lanai. As a Florida home owner, one must also consider how to meet the Florida law for residential pools. For some a lanai is a way to meet the law.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes...ing=&URL=0500-0599/0515/Sections/0515.29.html

he 2013 Florida Statutes


Title XXXIII

REGULATION OF TRADE, COMMERCE, INVESTMENTS, AND SOLICITATIONS

Chapter 515

RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT

View Entire Chapter

515.29 Residential swimming pool barrier requirements.—

(1) A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics:
(a) The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.
(b) The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over the barrier.
(c) The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.
(d) The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water’s edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.
(2) The structure of an aboveground swimming pool may be used as its barrier or the barrier for such a pool may be mounted on top of its structure; however, such structure or separately mounted barrier must meet all barrier requirements of this section. In addition, any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.
(3) Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.
(4) A wall of a dwelling may serve as part of the barrier if it does not contain any door or window that opens to provide access to the swimming pool.
(5) A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2000-143.