Whether washing dishes or enjoying a relaxing, hot shower, chances are you don’t want critters joining in on the festivities. Unfortunately, drain flies and other bugs thrive in dark, damp spaces. The key is to become proactive in stopping the bugs from emerging. In addition to calling a professional for assistance to identify any underlying plumbing issues related to insects, consider some changes you can make to your daily routine that may prevent a drain bug problem in your household.

Decrease Their Food Supply

To eliminate bugs from the drains of your sinks and showers, start by cutting off their food supply. Drains are dark spaces that bugs gravitate towards. While there’s no way to change the attraction to darkness, make it uncomfortable for them to stay by cutting off their food supply.

Think about all of the items that typically slip down the drains. Crumbs of food, hair, and dead skin cells. Change your perspective regarding the places it’s okay for waste to go. Instead of taking your plate to the faucet and rinsing the food crumbs down the sink drain, throw them in the trash.

Bugs like silverfish and cockroaches eat dead skin cells and hair. Hair can also create a safe space for bugs to procreate and lay eggs. If you like to stand at the sink to comb or detangle your hair, use a paper towel or wipe to gather loose hair and dandruff and throw it away rather than letting this debris down the drain. These simple shifts in habits can make a difference in the number of bugs you’ll see over time.

Install Drain Covers

When it’s time to shower or wash your hair, place a drain screen over the drain in the shower and sink that will catch loose hair strands and dander before they slip down the pipes. It may also be helpful to brush your hair before you get in the shower because it is easier to sweep the floor than clean the drain and drain cover out.

Step back or lean away from the sink so loose hair falls on the floor rather than in the sink when styling your hair after a shower. In addition, when cleaning out your brush or comb, never put hair in the toilet or sink. Using drain screens and some simple changes to your daily routine can make a big difference in how much hair and dander end up in your pipes.

Use a Mixture of White Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Salt

This mixture is known the be a gentle yet effective option to kill drain flies and other bugs in your plumbing. It’s also great because it contains no harmful chemicals that may damage your plumbing. You can get rid of any bugs that might be living in your drain pipes by mixing three cups of white vinegar with a half cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, and let it sit for 24 hours. This mixture should do the trick but may be a temporary solution. If the bugs come back, you may have issues with your plumbing that need to be addressed by a professional plumber.

Get a Professional Drain Cleaning

Even if you use drain covers and are careful about preventing food debris, hair, and dander from going down your drains, you may need a professional to clean them occasionally. Buildup on the walls of your drainpipes will accumulate over time. This buildup provides a suitable environment for bugs to live and multiply because it supplies plenty of decomposing material in which to lay their eggs. One sign you may need a drain cleaning is slow-draining sinks and bathtubs. Gurgling sounds or odors coming from your drain pipes may also indicate that your plumbing may need professional attention. Experts recommend that you have your drains cleaned once a year to ensure a healthy plumbing system. This service will also eliminate underlying plumbing issues that may be causing a bug problem.

Fix Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets and shower heads are not only an annoyance but may also increase your water bill every month. In addition, they may contribute to an insect problem. Leaky fixtures leave standing water in your drain, which attracts bugs. In time they may make this area their nesting ground. Bugs like carpenter ants, earwigs, and drain flies not only love food, but they love water. In addition to standing water, the constant drip of a leaky faucet gives bugs a continuous source of fresh water, making it easier for them to multiply. By having a plumber fix any leaky fixtures in your home, your drain will remain dryer, depriving bugs of one of the critical elements they need to thrive.

Replace Shut-Off Valves for Plumbing

Before leaving home to enjoy a vacation, homeowners are often encouraged to shut off the water. This is usually done so that if anything goes wrong with their plumbing while they are away, they won’t come home to a major fiasco that causes water damage to their house and harms irreplaceable items. The same concept is true for when you don’t want an infestation of bugs. Even a tiny amount of water from a dripping faucet or showerhead can create an environment in drains that will allow bugs to multiply. Most likely, your home has a shut-off valve where the water main brings fresh water into your house. While getting ready for
your trip, check to make sure this valve works. If it does not a professional plumber can replace it. A reliable shut-off valve will ensure bugs do not make themselves at home in your drains while you are away.

Clean Frequently

Once the drain bug issue is resolved in your home, keep your kitchen and bathrooms clean. Most bugs, with the exception of cockroaches, don’t actually travel in your pipes. Bugs were attracted to these rooms in the first place because of food sources on the counters or in the trash. They moved into a drain because they liked the dark and moist environment it provided. Keep in mind that bugs like silverfish eat toothpaste, and cockroaches have been known to feast on a bar of soap. As part of your daily routine, wipe down counters and ensure there are no food sources left in the trash for extended periods. In addition, ensure that the cap is secured on your toothpaste, and get a travel case for your soap bar. Taking these steps will help prevent the reoccurrence of drain bug issues in the future.

Contact the Professionals

At Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air, we have been serving the residents of Loomis, CA since 1976. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. In addition, we are expert plumbers and provide commercial HVAC services.

If you suspect you have underlying plumbing issues contributing to a drain bug infestation in your home or need help with other plumbing or HVAC concerns, contact Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air today!