- Several factors allow water striders to walk on water. The primary one is that their legs are coated with wax. This wax traps air and prevents water from reaching the hair roots. Each of the hairs on the legs of a water strider contains nanoscale grooves. The combination of grooves and wax secretions allow a cushion to form where the leg of the insect is inserted into the water. The buoyancy that results lets the striders walk comfortably on water.
- Water striders are commonly seen on water surfaces such as swimming pools during summer. They feed on arthropods present on the surface of the pools by stabbing them. They also feed on other terrestrial insects trapped on the surface film of the pool water. Smaller water striders may consume emerging larvae that hatch from the surface of a pool.
- Water striders are attracted to mercury vapor lights. Therefore, to prevent an infestation of water striders in a swimming pool, pool owners should avoid using these lights around the pool. Instead, high-pressure sodium lights can be used. These yellow vapor lights are much less attractive to insects. They are also much more energy-efficient than mercury lights.
- A long-handled water net can be helpful in removing insects from the surface of a swimming pool. Because water striders feed on insects, removing them manually from time to time can allow you to keep the water clean and free of water striders. If a swimming pool won't be used temporarily, it is best to drain it entirely so that algae, other organic matter and insects cannot accumulate.
- Insecticide control is rarely needed in case of water striders. These aquatic bugs die quickly as soon as they are outside of water. Using insecticides or other such chemicals in a swimming pool can cause harmful effects to people who swim in the pool. A pyrethrin spray will get rid of water striders temporarily, acting as a temporary repellent.