As much as we don’t want this to be true, pests can be frustratingly creative when looking for ways to enter your home. We have the usual points of entry such as holes in the wall, attics, open windows and doors, but we also have the more sneaky routes such as your plumbing system. 

Even though it’s not as common as the other ways we’ve mentioned, pests invading your plumbing is still quite possible. So, in order to ensure maximum indoor protection, you should pay particular attention to your plumbing system.

In this useful guide, we will tell you about the different types of pests you might encounter in your plumbing, signs of an infestation, and tips on how to prevent one from happening in the first place. 

Types of pests that live and breed in your plumbing

You might be surprised to learn how many types of pests are attracted to the dark and wet environment that your plumbing offers. Not only can that lead to a scary or unpleasant encounter, but many of these creatures are also known to also carry diseases, which increases the importance of learning proper prevention methods. 

The various types of pests that can be found in the plumbing include:

• Fruit Flies are tiny little creatures that love to lay eggs in areas with overripe fruit, in trash cans, and, of course, inside the drain, where there’s rotting material that serves as a food source. Regularly cleaning the drains is key to preventing them from breeding.

• Cockroaches love dark and humid areas. Once they get access to your home they can quickly reproduce and cause a full-blown infestation, which can be difficult to get rid of. That’s why closing all entry points and keeping clean drains should be a top priority.

• Other types of pests that could invade your home through the plumbing include rodents, frogs, and snakes. If you ever found a rat or a serpent inside your bathroom, then you know how scary and unpleasant it could be. One excellent way to prevent all of these pests from gaining access to your home is to install a Multi-Flap on your toilet. This is a one-way non-return valve that will keep anything gross from entering your home. If you do find a snake, however, make sure that you call a professional to extract it, instead of killing it because you risk harming an endangered species. 

How to tell if you have pests in your drains

First, let’s examine some of the reasons why pests may appear inside your home:

• Leaking plumbing units;

• Build-up/clogs in drain pipes, which can serve as a food source;

• Easy access to food or scraps inside your home;

• Lack of a drain screen;

• Lack of a screen on your vent stack;

• You can’t remember when was the last time you cleaned your drains.

The more signs you can check off from the list above, the stronger the likelihood there might be pests inside your drains.Other strong indications include:

• Sudden clogging (which means you might have a vermin stuck in the pipe);

• Weird or scratching noises from inside the pipes;

• Signs of animal droppings;

• Animal sighting.

How to prevent pests from entering your plumbing

There are a lot of factors that can lead to pests entering your plumbing. Whichever the reason, there are some universal and well-tried methods to keep intruding creatures off and minimize the likelihood of infiltration.

Keep all the drains clean

Sure, keeping the drains clean requires some extra work, but cleaner drains result in a less attractive environment for pests while also decreasing the likelihood of them infiltrating your home.

Here are some recommended tips and solutions:

• Clean all the drains at least once a month with a drain cleaner;

• If the pipes are slow to drain, use a plunger to unclog (this prevents the buildup to serve as a food source for pests);

• Use a drain screen to prevent pests from entering and laying eggs.

• Apart from pests, bacteria can also impact the efficiency of your pipes. Different types of minerals (iron, sulfur), combined with food provide excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, causing a buildup of slime. Usually, setting your water heater at about 140 degrees Fahrenheit helps but sometimes it’s best to have your drains professionally cleaned.

Seal openings around pipes and wall cracks

Openings around pipes and utility lines, even the tiniest cracks, offer access to various pests into your home and should be sealed shut. Spray foam is not recommended though for rodents would love to chew through it. The best materials for this purpose are caulk (a copper scouring pad) or steel wool.

Avoid standing water

Standing water is an excellent breeding ground for various types of pests. A leaky pipe (or standing water around the property in general) can create the ideal conditions for nasty insects and rodents to infiltrate your home. First, it’s an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are known to spread nasty diseases like malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. Other pests like ants, termites, and silverfish are also attracted to such places, so your best bet is to get rid of standing water right away.

Put a screen on your vent stack

The vent stack is located at the top of your roof and is responsible for the proper alleviation of sewer gas. However, it is also the most frequently used entryway by pests. To prevent them from gaining access, have a screen installed on your vent stack. Doing so will also prevent any clogging, which will help you to avoid a whole set of other plumbing problems as well.

Don’t leave food scraps around

All pests, especially cockroaches, have a strong sense of smell and will be attracted to any exposed food sources, even scraps. That’s why it’s not only important to maintain clean drains but also to regularly clean and vacuum your home. To avoid attracting pests it’s also best to keep food in airtight containers.

Conclusion

Protecting your home against unwanted pests is only natural, so if you are exposed you should take some concrete steps to ensure your safety and comfort. A few protective screens, as well as regular maintenance of your plumbing system, can significantly reduce the likelihood of you ever having to deal with a scary sighting or a full-blown infestation.

Guest Contributor: Ralitsa Brennan