Have you noticed the increasing about of tiny black worms in the bathroom? This common bathroom bug can very much be drain fly larvae. Drain flies, known for their small, brown, and fuzzy bodies lay eggs inside of drain pipes or p-traps which later hatch and become drain worms. While these tiny black worms are not harmful, when you get rid of them you get rid of a pest that has made a home in the bathroom. What do you do about a drain fly infestation? Keep scrolling.
What Are the Tiny Black Worms Anyways?
If you've seen black worms in the shower drain or your sink drains, you probably have a drain fly infestation on your hands. Drain flies, also known as filter or sewer flies, are tiny black or brown flies attracted to stagnant water or excess moisture. The drain fly is attracted to organic matter and uses water sitting stagnant in the bathroom as a breeding ground.
Those little black worms in your shower can be a variety of things. One theory is that they are drain flies, which are tiny, moth-like insects drawn to damp, dark areas like pipes and sewers. When the eggs hatch, the larvae from these flies can crawl out of the drain and into your shower. They can deposit their eggs in the gunk and slime that accumulates inside pipes. The larvae of mosquitoes or midges, which can lay their eggs in standing water like a clogged drain or a potted plant, may also be responsible for the worms. This is a different explanation. The larvae can come out and crawl into your shower if the water becomes contaminated with feces or other organic substances.
How do you know if you have drain flies? Simply use the duct tape test or cover your drain with tape and see if little worms or flies are caught the next day. Of course, you may already see drain flies flying around the bathroom.
Why Do Drain Flies Lay Eggs in the Drain?
Drain fly larvae are found in your drains because of the organic matter that doesn't make it to the septic tank. The shower drain is filled with soap scum, hair, mold, and other organic matter over time if it is not cleaned properly. Though not dangerous, adult drain flies will make a home in these spaces and lead to drain fly larvae or black drain worms.
Getting Rid of Drain Worms
There are actions you may take to get rid of small black worms if you discover them in your shower. The initial step is to try to locate and get rid of the worms' source. If it turns out that the worms are drain flies, you might try cleaning the drain to get rid of any muck that might be luring them in. You can remove the plant from the pot or carefully clean the area if the worms are coming from standing water. Another choice is to kill the worms and stop them from coming back by using a chemical treatment, such as an insecticide or drain cleaning. To prevent any health dangers, just be sure to thoroughly read the product's instructions and use it in a well-ventilated environment.
Hot Water
After pouring some water down the shower drain to make sure that it is working, pour hot water down the drain as well. Do not pour boiling water directly into the shower drain because you can damage your bathroom drains. Cool boiling water and then use it to kill any drain flies down below.
Natural or Chemical Drain Cleaner
You can pour a cup of white vinegar through your drain stopper to kill any black worms in unused drains. Another way to prevent drain flies from making a home in dirty drains is by pouring a cap of bleach into the drain.
Another natural drain cleaner that gets rid of black worms in your drains is a mix of baking soda, white vinegar, and salt. Add 1/2 cup of salt and baking soda into a cup of vinegar and kill the black worms in the shower drain.
You can also purchase a drain cleaner from the grocery if you do not have time to make your own mix. This is still effective in killing drain flies.
Pest Control
If you have a large number of black worms or adult drain flies in the bathroom, it is best to call in the professionals. Pest control can take care of the black worms immediately and prevent drain flies from making their way into the bathroom in the future.
Preventing Drain Fly Larvae
If you've gotten rid of the very last drain fly and do not want to have to deal with the black worms again, here's what you can do to protect your bathroom:
Use a Drain Cover
Get rid of drain flies by using a drain cover for the sink and shower. Without an entryway, adult flies and tiny worms can't make their way into the bathroom or stay there.
Maintain Drains with a Metal Pipe Brush
The best way to get rid of drain flies and black worms is by keeping your drains clean. Use a metal pipe brush to keep the drain and pipes squeaky clean.
Remove Excess Moisture from the Bathroom
Drain flies love stagnant water. Use a dehumidifier and clean up water after a shower or any that has splashed about after washing your hands.
Remove the Food Source
Drain flies and black worms feed on sewage and other organic water. Clean up anything that the black worms could consume like decaying matter, sediment, or algae. Make sure to scrub your shower tile grout too.
FAQs about Drain Worms
How do I prevent tiny black worms from appearing in my shower?
To prevent tiny black worms from appearing in your shower, try to identify and eliminate the source of the worms. This may involve cleaning the drain and removing any build-up of gunk, or eliminating standing water. You can also use a chemical treatment, such as a drain cleaner or insecticide, to kill the worms and prevent them from returning. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully and use it in a well-ventilated area to avoid any health risks.
Are tiny black worms in the shower a sign of a larger pest problem in my home?
Tiny black worms in the shower could potentially be a sign of a larger pest problem in your home, depending on the cause of the worms. If the worms are drain flies, for example, it's possible that there is a build-up of gunk in your pipes that is attracting the flies and their larvae. If the worms are coming from standing water or a potted plant, it's possible that you have other pests, such as mosquitoes or midges, breeding in your home.
Are tiny black worms in the shower harmful to humans or pets?
In general, tiny black worms in the shower are not harmful to humans or pets. However, if the worms are the result of a build-up of gunk in the pipes, they could potentially carry bacteria or other contaminants. It's always a good idea to practice good hygiene and clean your shower regularly to prevent the build-up of any potentially harmful substances.
Can I use natural remedies to get rid of tiny black worms in my shower?
There are a number of natural remedies that you can try to get rid of tiny black worms in your shower. For example, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean the drain and eliminate the worms. You can also use essential oils, such as tea tree oil or peppermint oil, to repel the worms and prevent them from returning. Just be sure to follow the instructions on any natural remedies carefully and use them in a well-ventilated area to avoid any health risks.
What should I do if I find tiny black worms in my shower but I'm not sure what they are?
If you find tiny black worms in your shower but you're not sure what they are, it's a good idea to try to identify the cause of the worms and eliminate it. This may involve cleaning the drain and removing any build-up of gunk, or eliminating standing water. If you're unable to identify the cause of the worms or you're unable to get rid of them on your own, you may want to consider seeking the help of a pest control professional.
Can tiny black worms in the shower cause damage to my plumbing or home?
In general, tiny black worms in the shower are not likely to cause damage to your plumbing or home. However, if the worms are the result of a build-up of gunk in the pipes, they could potentially contribute to clogs or other plumbing issues. It's always a good idea to practice good hygiene and clean your shower regularly to prevent the build-up of any substances that could cause problems in your plumbing.
Are there any long-term solutions for getting rid of tiny black worms in my shower?
To get rid of tiny black worms in your shower in the long-term, it's important to identify and eliminate the source of the worms. This may involve cleaning the drain and removing any build-up of gunk, or eliminating standing water. You can also use a chemical treatment, such as a drain cleaner or insecticide, to kill the worms and prevent them from returning. Just be
Bottom Line: Getting Rid of Tiny Black Worms in Your Shower or Drain
In conclusion, discovering small black worms in your shower might be a startling and perplexing experience. However, you can get rid of these unwelcome guests by locating the source of the worms and taking action to destroy it. There are methods available to assist get rid of the worms in your shower, including clearing the drain, removing any standing water, and applying chemicals like drain cleaners or insecticides. To avoid any health hazards, just be sure to thoroughly read the instructions on any chemical items and use them in a well-ventilated place. Overall, even though it may be disturbing to discover worms in your shower, following these methods will help keep your house free of these pests.
