Battling Anxiety and Water Bugs: Andrea's Journey Through Fear and Unconventional Fixes

We've all had those weeks where everything seems to go wrong – but pool service professionals know that a single moment of distraction can turn a routine service call into a potential disaster. In a recent episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, host Andrea shares a cringe-worthy tale that every pool tech can relate to: the perfect storm of anxiety, unusual pest problems, and a maintenance mistake that could have been catastrophic.

From mysterious swimming beetles to forgotten filter assemblies, this episode is packed with real-world lessons that highlight both the challenges and solutions pool professionals face daily. Let's dive into Andrea's week from hell and extract some valuable insights for handling pressure, troubleshooting unusual problems, and avoiding those costly mistakes that keep us up at night.

The Mystery of the Swimming Beetles

For two weeks, Andrea had been dealing with a frustrated customer complaining about bugs in their pool – but there was a catch. Despite thorough inspections, she couldn't see any of these mysterious creatures.

So I wasn't going to be working that Friday because I had made a doctor's appointment. So I had worked ahead all week. And so on Thursday, I was doing my Friday pools. Now this particular customer has been complaining the past two weeks that he has bugs in his pool. And I'm like, all right. I don't see any bugs.

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

The breakthrough came when the homeowner's wife offered to show Andrea exactly what they were dealing with. Her son had been collecting the bugs in a bucket, which explained why Andrea never saw them during her service visits. The bugs turned out to be unusual beetle-like creatures, different from the typical water boatmen or backswimmers most pool professionals encounter.

This scenario highlights a crucial lesson in customer service: when clients report problems you can't replicate, ask them to document or show you the issue firsthand. Sometimes the timing of your visits, customer behavior, or other factors can mask problems that are very real to the homeowner.

Uncovering the Root Cause

The real breakthrough came when Andrea investigated the floating pool toys – fabric-based creatures including a crab, seal, and lobster that had been sitting in the water.

So anyway, I'm netting right and you know how those things all collect leaves. So I like to hit it all around to get all the leaves and I notice I'm like these motherfuckers. So I find I pull them out of the pool and they have a big algae line along where they're sitting in the water, right? I'm like, all right, that's bug problem solves because that's what they're eating and that's where they're living.

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

The fabric toys had developed algae growth where they sat at the waterline, creating the perfect habitat and food source for the beetles. This discovery demonstrates the importance of looking beyond water chemistry when troubleshooting pest problems. Sometimes the solution isn't more chlorine or algaecide – it's removing the source of the problem entirely.

Andrea's boss had suggested raising alkalinity to drive out water bugs, but the real solution was much simpler: remove the algae-covered toys that were essentially floating bug hotels. This case study shows why thorough visual inspections of all pool equipment, toys, and accessories should be part of every service call.

When Anxiety Leads to Costly Mistakes

The story takes a dramatic turn when Andrea, already stressed and sleep-deprived, made a critical error that nearly cost her job. After being interrupted during filter cleaning to examine the bug problem, she completed her service but forgot one crucial step.

And it's a couple of pictures. And it's a big long text and it says, do you know what the hell is going on at Zoomen? I just got it. Oh, do you know what the hell is going on at whatever? And I just got a tongue lashing and guess what the picture was. I know the picture was the filter cartridge in the next to the head. And the second picture was the open filter with the lid sitting on top of the heater. Yes, I never put it back together.

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

Fortunately, the system was in service mode, preventing catastrophic damage, but the customer discovered the disassembled filter and complained to Andrea's boss. This incident illustrates how interruptions during routine maintenance can derail even experienced professionals.

The key lesson here isn't just about attention to detail – it's about recognizing when stress and fatigue are affecting your performance. Andrea mentions dealing with anxiety about potentially being fired, lack of sleep, and the pressure of working ahead due to hurricane weather. These factors created the perfect conditions for a serious mistake.

The Domino Effect of Distraction

Andrea's week of mishaps didn't end with the pool incident. She shared another story about getting distracted at the grocery store, which resulted in accidentally leaving without paying – a situation that could have had serious legal consequences.

This pattern reveals an important truth: when we're operating under stress, our normal routines and safety checks break down. The same mental state that led to the forgotten filter assembly also caused the grocery store incident. Both situations involved interruptions to established routines at critical moments.

For pool professionals, this highlights the importance of developing interrupt-resistant procedures. Consider creating physical checklists, taking photos of equipment before disassembly, or establishing strict "no interruption" policies during critical maintenance tasks.

Practical Solutions for Common Pool Pest Problems

Beyond the drama, this episode offers valuable insights into handling unusual pest problems. Andrea's experience demonstrates several effective strategies:

• Customer Documentation: Encourage clients to collect or photograph pests for identification
• Timing Considerations: Pests may be most active at different times than your service schedule
• Habitat Elimination: Look for breeding and feeding sites beyond just water chemistry
• Comprehensive Inspections: Check all pool accessories, toys, and equipment for algae or debris accumulation
• Simple Solutions First: Sometimes removing the problem source is more effective than chemical treatments

The fabric pool toys in this case created perfect conditions for algae growth and pest habitation. Regular cleaning or removal of such items can prevent many pest problems before they start.

Building Resilience Under Pressure

Perhaps the most valuable lesson from Andrea's experience is recognizing the signs of stress-induced performance degradation. Sleep deprivation, anxiety, and pressure to work ahead of schedule created a perfect storm for mistakes.

I really was. And I was just being, you know, whatever I was just lots of anxiety. Just sleep. Lack of sleep is the key. Okay. Okay. So.

— Andrea, Talking Pools Podcast

Professional pool service requires consistent attention to detail, especially when dealing with equipment that can cause expensive damage if mishandled. Developing strategies to maintain focus under pressure – whether from weather, difficult customers, or personal stress – is crucial for long-term success.

Some practical approaches include: taking brief mental breaks between complex tasks, using physical checklists for multi-step procedures, communicating with supervisors about workload concerns before they become critical, and recognizing when to slow down rather than rush through potentially dangerous procedures.

Andrea's honesty about her mistakes and the factors that contributed to them provides valuable learning opportunities for the entire industry. Her willingness to share these experiences helps other professionals recognize similar situations and develop better coping strategies.

The pool service industry is demanding, with tight schedules, equipment safety concerns, and customer expectations creating constant pressure. By learning from experiences like Andrea's, we can all become more resilient and effective professionals while avoiding the costly mistakes that come from working under excessive stress.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Check-in
• 05:30 The Mysterious Water Bug Complaint
• 12:15 Discovering the Bug Source
• 18:45 The Filter Assembly Disaster
• 25:30 Lessons on Anxiety and Distraction
• 32:00 Practical Pool Pest Solutions