What are these black worms in my shower?

You'll see them described as drain fly larvae, drain worms, or sink/drain/moth/sewer flies. They're the mid-point between eggs and flies. Differentiating these flies from other household flies can therefore be important.

Are shower worms harmful?

Drain worms are not potentially harmful because they do not bite or transmit disease to humans. They are beneficial because they can help break down built-up slime and organic material in the drains.

Why is there little black worms in my shower?

Showers are warm and damp, which creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and drain flies. Drain flies will lay their eggs inside the drain or on your shower floor. When these eggs hatch, the larvae look like tiny black worms.

What are these little worms in my shower?

The small "worms" found in your shower drains and tiles are likely not worms at all, but the larvae of the drain fly or moth fly. These larvae may appear brown or black, and upon closer inspection are pale in the middle and darker on the ends.

What causes worms in the shower?

The red worms that usually appear in the bathroom are carried away by the flow of water under the house. If the house uses groundwater flow or untreated boreholes, then you will likely experience this problem. Not only the type of water but a poor home drainage system can also cause worms to infiltrate a damp bathroom.

Little Black Drain Worms in shower, how to get rid of them

How do I get rid of black worms in my shower?

Bleach Them Out

Ideally, chlorine bleach is a last resort for bathroom bug control. This is because bleach has lots of side effects. But it's also quite an effective way to get rid of black worms in the bathroom. The quickest trick is to pour bleach down the drain, but wear goggles and gloves.

How do I get rid of black worms in my bathroom?

How do you get rid of little black worms?

Use Hot Water and Vinegar

Most people have white vinegar lying around the house. If you do, this is an excellent tool for killing any worms. You'll need to pour very hot water down your drain and then one cup of vinegar. This should kill any larvae living in the drain.

How do you get rid of drain fly larvae in a shower?

Pour in 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda plus a cup of white vinegar. Allow it to work its magic overnight then flush the drain with hot or boiling water the next morning. This will sanitize the drain and kill the flies and their eggs.

Where do bathroom worms come from?

If you spot tiny black worms in your toilet, they are probably drain fly larvae. These pests live off of sewage and decaying matter, which makes your toilet a perfect location for them. Adult females lay large clusters of eggs, which explains why there may be more than one worm in your toilet.

Why do I keep getting drain flies?

Stagnant pools of water, particularly in pipes and other drainage areas, attract drain flies. These small, gnat-like insects feed on and breed in sewage. Organic material can build up along the side of drains quickly, welcoming drain flies to eat and reproduce.

What do drain flies and worms look like?

Drain Flies, Explained

Drain flies prefer the damp, slimy environment inside the pipes of sink, shower and tub drains. Their larvae look a bit like tiny, skinny worms. In some instances, these wormy larvae may be noticed in a toilet tank or in stagnant water pooling in the bottom of a seldom-used shower or sink.

How do I permanently get rid of drain flies?

Will bleach get rid of drain flies?

While this chemical might get rid of some larvae, bleach passes quickly down the drain and does not penetrate the thick build-up where eggs are deposited by the female drain fly and larvae live. As a result, in most cases, bleach does not get rid of drain flies.

What kills drain flies?

Kill Drain Flies with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Kill drain flies and clean clogs out your drains at the same time with this remedy. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, and then slowly pour in one cup of vinegar. You'll notice the mixture will begin to bubble and fizz. This is a normal and safe reaction.

Why are there worms in my bathtub?

These worms are actually not worms at all but the larvae of the moth fly. Also known as the drain fly, the moth fly commonly frequents areas in which moisture is present, such as tubs and sinks. The insect's larvae typically look like worms and are legless, gray and usually about 3/8 inch long.

What are black worms that curl up?

Millipedes are those long black bugs with what seems like a million tiny legs that you see crawling in your bedroom windows and that curl into a tight ball when threatened.

How do I get rid of millipedes in my bathroom?

You can use a broom and dustpan to sweep them up and dump them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them; or you can just vacuum them up with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac and dispose of them outside.

Can drain flies make you sick?

Drain flies are small and gray. They do not bite, sting, or spread diseases, but their decaying bodies may cause allergic reactions. They can also spread bacteria from trash, decaying vegetables and fruits.

How do you get rid of drain flies and worms?

Boil a medium-size pot of water once or twice per week, and pour down and around the drain. Another easy option uses baking soda: Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, and pour down the drain. Leave overnight, and finish by pouring boiling water down the drain in the morning.

Do drain worms bite?

Drain flies do not bite humans but may become a nuisance by their presence in large populations. Sometimes it takes persistent effort to eradicate an infestation in the home.

How do drain flies look like?

What do drain flies look like? Drain flies are commonly referred to as “moth” flies because of their moth-like appearance. These tiny flies range in color from light tan or gray to black and their bodies are covered in small hairs, giving them a furry appearance.

Can't find where drain flies are coming from?

Drain flies can come from organic buildups in any area where there is standing water. Check your bathroom drains, kitchen sink, shower, sump pump, sewage system, and even floorboards where there might be a pipe leak. Look for multiple flies hanging out on the walls near these possible sources.

Can drain flies come from toilet?

Drain flies breed in the buildup in pipes. While it is less common for them to appear in a toilet, it could be they are entering the bathroom through a faulty seal between the toilet and sewer flange.

Are bathroom worms harmful?

Drain Fly Larvae

Though these worms are not harmful to humans, it is certainly a discomforting feeling to have them around. While a drain fly a larva showing up in your bathroom does not mean you have an untidy or unhygienic bathroom, it signals at a drain fly infestation.