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Pay Attention to These Pesky Plumbing Pests
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It’s crucial to maintain cleanliness in your home. It keeps the germs and creatures away and lengthens the shelf life of your products. However, don’t just keep an eye on your floors and shelves. Though you may not see them right now, there may be bugs that are living in your drains.

Maintaining cleanliness must also extend to your drains, as insects can turn this into their new home and even damage them. Guard your home against these pesky plumbing pests:

#1 Centipedes

Centipedes like to stay in secluded spaces

You may have seen these creatures crawl across your bathroom or kitchen. Centipedes are insects that are characterized by their long flat bodies and many pairs of legs. Though their name suggests that they have 100 pairs of legs, that isn’t always the case. They can have as few as 15 to as many as 177 legs. They are usually reddish-orange and brown, but they do come in several other colours, with dark stripes or markings.

Centipedes can be beneficial since they feed on insects. However, since they also carry venom, it’s best to remain wary of these creatures, especially indoors.

These insects prefer to live and thrive around damp and dark areas, and so you can find them in bathrooms and drains. They also like staying in secluded spaces, so you might also see one in basements, closets, crawl spaces, and even in your bathtub.

#2 Cockroaches

Cockroaches like to live in dark and humid environments

Cockroaches are one of the oldest living creatures to exist on Earth. These insects like to nest in dark, humid, and warm environments. They are an especially common sight in tropical or other mild climates. Still, they are abundant throughout the world and can survive low temperatures. It has a flattened oval body and small head, long antennae, and a shiny coating that ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown.

The cockroaches’ diet can vary depending on their location. They can consume both animal and plant products, as well as items like books, clothing, and paper. Some species can even survive for a month by just eating glue from the back of postage stamps.

Cockroaches often live in your bathroom and kitchen drains since these are often extremely dependable sources of food and water. Your plumbing may also serve as entrances to those specific areas in search of more food to consume.

#3 Flies

Unfortunately, there’s more than one type of fly that can call your plumbing home. Here are the different kinds of flies that can reside in your drains:

  • Drain Flies
    Also known as moth flies and sink flies, drain flies are small, dark-winged, and non-biting gnats that resemble moths. Most of these insects are native to the    humid tropics. You may spot one on your ceiling or wall, and they make short hopping flights when you shoo them away.

Drain flies like living in standing and stagnant water, which makes bathrooms their ideal habitat. They usually like to occupy the rarely used areas in your home. They can breed in your drains and take up residence in your basement, floor drains, or the garage sink. You might also find them living in toilet bowls and tanks that you rarely use since layers of slime can develop along their water surface.

  • Fruit Flies

These flies are common in restaurants, supermarkets, and your kitchen

This is the type of fly you’ll usually see when you’re near the garbage. Fruit flies resemble gnats, and they’re known for their tan thorax and red eyes (although some are also dark-eyed). You may see them when you have rotting fruit or fermenting food or produce in your home. These insects are commonly found in kitchens, restaurants, and supermarkets.

These insects will most likely breed in your trash containers, mop buckets, garbage disposals, and kitchen drains. All they need to survive is a moist film of any rotting material. Once they have access to these, they will lay their eggs in them so their larvae can turn them into their food source. Without proper supervision on your food, they can potentially contaminate them with bacteria.

  • Phorid Flies
    Due to their similar structures, phorid flies and fruit flies look alike. Yet, they are known for their arched thorax, which gives them a humpbacked appearance. It is why they’re also known as humpback flies. Another way to differentiate them from fruit flies is their habit of quickly running across a surface, compared to flying away. This habit gives them another nickname: scuttle flies.

Phorid flies are attracted to decaying material, like rotting vegetables, decaying plants, and dead animals. They also search for the moist, organic material that your plumbing may accumulate. Unfortunately, as they eat decomposing food, they’re also capable of spreading bacteria and disease.

Plumbing Pests Prevention 101

Fortunately, you can get rid of these unwanted visitors from your home. Here is how to stop bugs from coming up the drain:

  • Avoid Clogging the Drain
    It’s not uncommon to see fallen hair strands on your drain after taking a shower. However, don’t just leave them be. Pick these up right away to prevent clogging. Initially, these clogs may not seem to be a big deal, but these can also become the next nesting place for these insects.
  • Clean as You Go

Wash all of your dishes and utensils immediately after using

When it comes to taking care of your home, cleanliness is paramount. While they show up after water damages and leaks, bugs are also attracted to rotting food and material. After a long day, it can be tempting to place your used dishes in the sink after eating. Wash all of them immediately.

  • Inspect the Condition of Your Pipes
    If you want to keep these insects from infesting your drain, you must take a closer look at the pipes. Observe their current condition and see if anything needs fixing. Seal them to make it impossible for these insects to find their way to your plumbing. Using a flashlight, check for any holes or cracks that insects can use as their passageways.
  • Keep Moisture in Check
    Although they come in different forms, all of these insects have something in common: moisture. As a damp and humid environment can help them survive, it’s essential to keep moisture at a minimum. Without it, they are likely to search for other livable habitats. To discourage their presence, install insulation foam around any pipes that are gathering moisture.
  • No Stagnant Water Allowed

Keep your sink dry after use

Don’t just leave once you’ve finished brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Whether with a mop or some towels, keep these high-moisture areas as dry as you can. Remember: The presence of stagnant water is enticing for these insects. Preventing any water leaks also helps since bugs are attracted to these, so be sure to fix any leaking faucets you see.

Just as how you must regularly tidy the kitchen and bathroom in your home, you must also pay attention to your plumbing. Without regular maintenance, it can become the new habitat for such creatures. Fortunately, following these steps can help in preventing this from happening.

Make sure to keep your plumbing unclogged and clean. If you’re looking for excellent drain services, then look no further than Plumbing Authority Inc. You can contact us by calling (647) 992-7473 or email us at plumbingauthoritygta@gmail.com.