what bugs can live in your drain - AAI Pest Control

What Bugs Can Live in Your Drains?

4 Bugs That Can Live in Your Drains And What You Can Do About Them

You may not know it, but those bugs that don’t seem to go away despite everything you do may actually be living and breeding in your drains. The good news is that once you identify the specific species of bugs that you are dealing with, then it is easy to take steps to dislodge them from your drains for good. This article discusses some of the common bugs/insects that can call your drains home, and what you can do once you discover you have a bug problem in your drains.

Drain Flies

These bugs are commonly called moth flies because their hairy bodies make them look like moths. As their name suggests, drain flies prefer to breed and live inside drains and the associated components of the plumbing system, such as septic tanks, sewers and soil drenched in sewage.

Phorid Flies

Modesto pest control experts say that many homeowners mistake phorid flies for fruit flies. However, three key differences distinguish phorid flies from fruit flies. First, phorid flies usually run before they fly. The second unique attribute of phorid flies is that they are “hump-backed” while fruit flies aren’t. Unlike fruit flies that make their home in rotting or overripe vegetables and fruits, phorid flies prefer to live inside moist soil. They will even burrow several feet into the ground in order to reach any moist organic matter that is rotting, such as the sewage backed up inside your plumbing system. You should, therefore, do everything possible to prevent your drains from clogging because phorid flies will quickly move in.

Cockroaches

A discussion of the bugs in your drain can never be complete until cockroaches have been mentioned. Some types of cockroaches prefer to live in drains. The drains are always dark, moist and secluded (the perfect living conditions for roaches). These pests also feed on the water and organic matter flowing or backed up inside the drains. AAI Pest Control inspectors also say that most roaches that end up inside homes use drains as a point of entry.

Fruit Flies

As implied by their name, fruit flies are constantly searching for overripe or rotting vegetables and fruits to feed on. They also lay their eggs in the fruits or vegetables that they feed on as a way of ensuring that their offspring will have a plentiful supply of food. Your drains, especially the kitchen drains, are therefore a strong magnet for these bugs.

How to Identify the Bugs in Your Drain

Most of the bugs in your drain are nocturnal and you may not know which specific ones are present in your home. A simple trick shared by pest control experts in Modesto, CA entails applying sticky tape in the form of an “x” on a portion of the drain opening before you go to bed. Some of the bugs in your drain will get stuck on this tape as they try to get out at night. You can then retrieve the sticky tape and see which species of drain bugs were captured. Use this information to launch a customized attack aimed at those specific bugs.

How to Keep Drain Bugs Out

First, unclog all the slow-draining drains in your home. This step will eliminate the slow-moving water which provides an ideal breeding ground for many of the bugs in your drain.

Secondly, clean the drains regularly, preferably once each month. You can use homemade drain cleaners, such as vinegar and baking powder, or you can use store-bought drain cleaners. Ensure that you follow the instructions provided for the commercial drain cleaners so that you don’t damage the plumbing system or expose your family members to the risks posed by the fumes given off as the drain cleaners do their work. Clean drains will not have any organic matter stuck on the pipes, so drain bugs will have nothing to feed on.

The third thing that you can do to keep drain bugs away is by covering the drain openings. Different products, such as drain screens, drain stoppers, and drain covers can all suffice to prevent drain bugs from accessing your drains. Talk to a professional at AAI Pest Control if the particular product you are using isn’t attaining the desired results of keeping drain bugs out.

Use the suggestions above to deal with any bugs in your drain. If the problem persists, get in touch with us at AAI Pest Control in Modesto, CA. We shall inspect your property and design a customized solution for the drain bugs or any other pest problem on your property.

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