Most people tend to forget that a clogged drain can be the perfect breeding ground for all types of organisms.
Moisture, warmth, and organic materials create the perfect environment to act as a larvae incubator.
That is why it is common to see bacteria, mold, drain worms, and other insects in your bathroom. If you see tiny black worms in your bathroom, it may be time to clean out the drain.
However, there is more to getting rid of black worms than pouring a drain cleaner down your sink.
Harsh chemicals can damage your pipes, so you should consider alternatives. For example, pouring hot water down the drain or using a mold cleaner.
You can choose to call a professional to have your plumbing looked at. Alternatively, you could take care of the infestation by yourself by using this article as a guide.
We will discuss what black worms are, why they enter your bathroom, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from coming back.
What are Black Worms or Drain Worms?
Black worms are also known as drain worms, are the larvae of drain flies or moth flies. They decompose organic material and within a week, become drain flies.
Black worms are usually found in moist areas that have some organic matter. For instance, home drains, sewerage facilities, storm drains, and compost piles.
Female drain flies lay their eggs in damp areas, such as places with stagnant water. They eat decomposing living matter in the pipes.
The flies also tend to feed on bacteria, fungi, and other microbial organisms inside the drainpipes.
A drain fly can lay up to 50 to 100 eggs. If you don’t take the necessary steps to get rid of black worms or drain flies, you could end up with a serious issue.
Getting Rid of Black Worms from Your Bathroom
It is common to spot a black worm in your sink, toilet, bathtub, or bathroom floor. Here are the steps you should follow to get rid of it.
Inspect for Clogs and Clean the Drain
Semi-clogged or clogged drains collect dirt and organic matter such as hair, fungus, or fur. Your first step should be to check if your drain is fully or partially clogged.
Remove the drain cover and get rid of any debris. It would be helpful to use a toothbrush or specific tools.
You can pour half a gallon of water down the drain and see if the water drains slowly. If it is, try using a plunger to dislodge the clog.
Often, de-clogging your drain is not as easy. In such cases, you should contact an expert plumber. They can clean the drain harmlessly and quickly.
A drainage cleaning gel is also useful in removing organic matter from the sides of the drain. All you have to do is leave it for a few hours and then clean it with water.
Kill the Black Worms
Although your first instinct will be to use a drain cleaner or drain opener, we advise against it.
The harsh chemical can corrode and damage your plumbing. The same goes for boiling hot water, which can make materials crack.
Instead, you should pour very hot water down the drain. Follow this up with a cup of white vinegar to kill any worms or larvae.
Baking soda is a multi-purpose compound used around the house for many reasons. Killing black worms is one of those reasons.
A baking soda and vinegar solution makes a potent mixture to clean the drain, remove any clogs, and kill the black worm larvae.
Another DIY method is to use dish soap and bleach. Using an equal ratio of bleach and liquid dish soap, make a mixture that you will pour down the drain.
For maximum effectiveness, leave the chemicals there for about two or three hours. Next, you can pour hot water to wash away the slime and grease.
If you prefer using biodegradable methods that do not harm the environment, you can consider using an enzyme drain cleaning product.
They use eco-friendly enzymes to remove clogs in your drain. They eat away at the organic material blocking the pipes and use a non-toxic monosodium sulfate acid to corrode the clog.
Kill the Drain Flies
If you see drain flies around the bathroom, spray an aerosol insecticide. This will prevent them from laying more eggs.
Some insecticide sprays kill both the adult pest and the larvae, so you can save yourself some time!
It is advised to be cautious about the ingredients in the spray. Make sure it is safe to be used indoors.
For best results, you should spray your bathroom with it every night and close the door and windows. In the morning open the windows to allow fresh air to come in.
Remove Their Breeding Areas
Once the existing worms are dead, you can work on eliminating their breeding areas. First, you need to eradicate any stagnant dirty water around your house or sewage system.
Next, use hot water to scrub the sides of the drain. You can work on the affected drain or on all the drains in your house as a preventive measure.
Damaged bathroom tiles are the ideal space for black worms to grow. Repair them or fill them with cement as soon as possible to prevent flies from laying their eggs there.
Plumbing issues can be a major cause of black worms in the bathroom. Inspect your plumbing system for leaking pipes, cracks, etc. A plumber can assist you in this matter.
Preventing a Black Worm Infestation
Pouring bleach-based mold cleaners down the drain can stop the worms from hatching. This will buy you time as you clean out your pipes.
Ensuring that your plumbing system is free of dirt, contamination, and clogs will prevent black worm infestations. Moreover, if you have a compost pile, you should consider moving it away from your plumbing.
As an extra measure, you can use a vinegar and baking soda mixture to clean your drain once or twice a month. Alternatively, you could use dish soap and water. Either way, cleanliness is critical in preventing any kind of infestation.
Lastly, seal off any entry points or cracks in pipes. This means windows, door frames, and broken tiles too.
All insects are looking for a way to get into your house. Especially if it provides a warm and moist environment for them to lay their eggs.
If you have a constant occurrence of seeing worms in your bathroom, you should contact an expert plumber.
It could indicate a breakage that could become the cause of many other plumbing issues.
Removing Moisture from the Bathroom
Keeping a bathroom dry might sound like a difficult task. However, it is necessary to prevent infestations and odors.
Drain flies leave an environment if it is too dry. So, the drier your bathroom, the less likely you’ll spot black worms.
Since they are attracted to moisture, you can consider using a de-humidifier. Additionally, try to not let your bathroom stay wet for long periods of time.
Open the bathroom window to allow for air circulation.
When you’re cleaning your bathroom, you should consider using carbolic acid in the cleaning liquid.
This potent chemical is effective in crushing the larvae eggs that could be on the floor or in the drain.
Are Black Worms Harmful?
Worms are typically harmless to humans and pets. They don’t bite or spread infectious diseases.
They can be a nuisance nonetheless. For example, some people might suffer from asthma if a drain fly bites them.
A black worm infestation is not necessarily a sign of poor hygiene or a dirty bathroom. Still, the sight of any insect in your bathroom is unpleasant.
Seeing tiny black worms in shower or drain worms in the bathroom is an indication that you have a drain fly infestation. Following the steps mentioned above can help you to get rid of them.
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