Why Are There Worms In My Shower?
Taking a shower can sometimes feel like a nice reward after a long day at work or doing chores around the house. Naturally, people let their guard down in the shower, which can explain why you may have panicked after finding worms near the drain. So, why are there worms in my shower?
The worms in your shower are most likely drain fly larvae. Drain flies hover around shower drains due to the abundance of dead skin cells, loose hair, and soap scum, which they feed on. From there, drain flies lay eggs, which then hatch into larvae that crawl around your shower drain.
They may look like black worms, but they will eventually turn into pesky drain flies. Not only is this disgusting, but it can also create an annoying cycle where you struggle to keep bugs out of the bathroom. Follow along as we explore why there are worms in your shower and highlight ways to get rid of them.
What Are The Black Worms In My Shower?
The black worms in your shower aren’t actually worms. They’re drain fly larvae. Some people also find moth larvae in their shower, but drain fly larvae are more common. They are among the most annoying household pests, and they’re typically present in bathrooms. They flock to this room in search of food, and they stay for the organic matter in the shower drain. Organic matter is abundant because dead skin, loose hair, and soap scum constantly flow down the drain.
The flies visit bathroom sinks and showers in search of food, then eventually reproduce and lay eggs in the biofilm in your shower drain, which consists of many microorganisms. This damp microorganism colony is a sticky, slimy, nesting environment. The eggs hatch and turn into larvae, which look like black worms. They may not be worms, but they certainly look like them.
Can Drain Fly Larvae Get In Your Skin?
While drain fly larvae don't usually get into your skin, they can cause a rare parasitic infection in extreme cases. That said, drain flies can lay eggs in the wounds of animals and people with poor hygiene. This infection, known as cutaneous myiasis, is extremely rare and doesn’t typically occur in homes. Most people don’t need to worry about drain fly larvae harming them. Mature drain flies can’t even bite, but they are annoying. Your biggest worry should be that your bathroom drains are dirty enough to attract these flies in the first place.
How To Get Rid Of Drain Fly Larvae Found In The Shower
Nobody wants to stand in a shower full of black things that look like worms, especially after learning that they’re drain fly larvae. You can get rid of these pests in a number of ways, such as:
Use Baking Soda, White Vinegar, And Hot Water
Baking soda and vinegar are easily the two best home remedies for countless problems. That’s because mixing these two ingredients can create a powerful chemical reaction that can dislodge biofilm, mold, loose hair, soap scum, and even drain fly larvae. Not only does this help rinse existing drain flies down the drain, but it can also remove the biofilm that attracts them.
Pour ½ cup of baking soda into the drain, then add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for up to 20 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water. Shine a flashlight into the drain to see if larvae and sludge remain. If so, repeat the process, but plug the drain and let the mixture sit overnight. This should be enough to loosen the larvae and keep drain flies from coming back.
Treat The Drain With An Enzyme Cleaner
Enzyme cleaners are made of bacteria and enzymes that feed on the bad bacteria and sludge found in shower and sink drains. These natural cleaners are effective and can eliminate the biofilm that attracts drain flies. They are also strong enough to kill existing drain fly eggs and larvae. Enzyme cleaners come in powder and liquid forms, but the is easier to use. Following the directions is key, as it varies between brands.
Pour the enzyme cleaner into the shower drain and let it sit overnight. The next morning, thoroughly rinse the shower drain with hot water for several minutes. Some brands recommend letting the enzyme cleaner sit for 15 minutes, which can be effective in some cases. However, the best results come from following the instructions.
Snake The Drain
You can also get rid of drain fly eggs and larvae by snaking a shower drain. However, you shouldn’t solely rely on this tactic, as it’s best done alongside other methods. For example, you should only snake your shower drain after rinsing it with hot water. Doing so will soften the soap scum, loose hair, and sludge, which makes snaking the drain much easier.
Insert a drain snake into the shower drain and extend it down a few feet. Carefully jostle the snake along the sides of the drain to dislodge the biofilm. By dislodging this slime, drain flies won’t have anywhere to lay eggs. Flush the shower drain with hot water for a few minutes after snaking it to dislodge any remaining eggs, larvae, and biofilm.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Drain Flies?
It can take up to one to two weeks to get rid of drain flies, but it depends on how bad the infestation is. That’s because adult drain flies live for roughly three weeks, and their eggs hatch quickly. Simply rinsing with water isn’t enough to kill the eggs in your drain. Drain fly eggs stick to the sludge in the drain, and they can hatch within 48 hours. They stay in the larval stage for 8 to 24 days, which is when people see what they believe to be worms.
During an infestation, carefully clean the shower drain every day to ensure no flies, eggs, or larvae remain. You may need to treat your drains with baking soda and distilled white vinegar each day for a few weeks. Inspect the drain with a flashlight to ensure no fly larvae remain.
Summing It Up
It may look like there are black worms in your shower, but they’re most likely drain fly larvae. Drain flies are drawn to the biofilm in shower drains, where they lay eggs, which then hatch into larvae. You can treat your shower drain with baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water to dislodge the biofilm, eggs, and larvae.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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