How To Stop Bugs From Coming Up The Drain

You may keep a very clean home. You wash your dishes right away after every meal, you wipe down the counters religiously, and you even take out the trash every day.

But no matter how clean you keep your home, there are always going to be some bugs that just seem to appear out of nowhere.

If you’re finding that bugs are constantly making their way up your drain, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent them.

What to Do If You Have Pests in Your Drain?

If you have any of these pests in your drain, it is important to take action immediately. If you do not, the pests will continue to breed and lay eggs, which can clog your drain and cause problems for your plumbing.

Food particles and other buildups like decomposing material from food sources attract bugs that even metal drain screens can’t stop.

So here is a list of things that you can do to stop your sink from becoming a breeding ground and get the upper hand on bugs living in your drain.

How To Stop Bugs From Coming Up The Drain – Simple Solutions

1. Pour Bleach Down the Drain

One of the best ways to keep bugs from coming up your drain is to pour a half cup of bleach down it once a week. The bleach will help kill any bugs that are already in your drain, as well as help prevent new ones from coming in. You can also try using a drain cover to keep bugs out.

Pouring bleach down sink drains is probably the easiest way to kill bugs like fruit flies that have made their way into your drain.

If you’re still having trouble with bugs coming up your drain, there are a few other things that you can try.

2. Use a Mixture of White Vinegar and Baking Soda

You can pour a cup of vinegar down the drain once a week, which will help to kill any bugs that are already in your drain.

Vinegar is less toxic than bleach, and if you add a tablespoon of baking soda to a mixture of water and vinegar you will be sure to kill all the bugs that are hanging out in your drain.

3. Pour Boiling Water Down Your Drain Opening

Clogged drains happen. Grease, hair, and other buildups can slow the water flowing down your drain to a trickle. When this happens, it’s an open invitation for bugs to come on in and set up shop.

You can clear clogged drains by using a plunger or a drain snake after pouring boiling water down the drain.

4. Metal Drain Screens/Drain Covers

A metal drain screen will help keep bugs from getting into your drain in the first place. You can find these drain stoppers at most hardware stores.

They will stop bugs like cockroaches from being able to come up through the drain into your sink.

Drain covers are always a great option if you don’t want to mess around with toxic products to get rid of bugs.

5. Regularly Clean Your Drains

You should clean your drains regularly to help prevent bugs from coming up. It may help to completely cover your drain while you are cleaning your sink. This is our favorite drain cleaner that is on the market.

It’s just good practice to keep your drain clean so bugs never even start breeding in the first place.

6. Get Green Gobbler Fruit Fly Killer

Green Gobbler Fruit Fly Killer is a convenient gel formula that traps and kills these unwanted visitors, so you can enjoy your fresh produce without worry. Simply apply the gel to your drains and fruit fly hotspots, and the flies will be drawn to the formula and killed on contact.

In addition, the gel will continue to kill flies for up to 30 days with just one application.

7. Seek Professional Help

If all else fails you may actually have a deeper plumbing issue. In which case you should call a professional to assess your plumbing issues.

Types of Pests that Breed or Live in Drain Pipes

If you have ever wondered how to stop bugs from coming up the drain, you may have also wondered what kinds of bugs tend to live in your drain.

Here are some of the most common pests that you may find in your drain:

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are one of the most common pests that you will find in your drain. They are attracted to sweet smells and can lay their eggs in drains.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are small, dark-colored flies that are often found near drainage areas. They typically lay their eggs in damp places, such as drains. The larvae of fungus gnats can feed on organic matter, which can cause problems for your plumbing.

Drain Flies/Drain Bugs

A drain fly is a small, winged insects that often live in drains. They can lay their eggs in the sludge that builds up in your drain pipes. The larvae of drain flies can eat organic matter, which can clog your drains.

Moth Flies

Moth flies are small, winged insects that often live in drains. They can lay their eggs in the sludge that builds up in your drain pipes. The larvae of moth flies can eat organic matter, which can clog your drains.

Sewer Flies

Sewer flies are small, winged insects that often live in drains. They can lay their eggs in the sludge that builds up in your drain pipes. The larvae of sewer flies can eat organic matter, which can clog your drains.

Phorid Flies

Phorid flies are small, winged insects that often live in drains. They can lay their eggs in the sludge that builds up in your drain pipes.

Drain Beetles

Drain beetles are small, dark-colored beetles that often live in drains. They can lay their eggs in the sludge that builds up in your drain pipes. The larvae of drain beetles can eat organic matter, which can clog your drains.

Can Bugs Live in Your Drains?

They absolutely can. What’s even more unsettling? If you want to stop bugs from coming up the drain it is a challenge.

These drain bugs can also breed inside your pipes, feeding on any available organic matter — such as grease, hair, food waste, and even toothpaste — and laying eggs in the gunk that collects in your plumbing.

If you want to stop bugs from living in your kitchen drainage system, or your garbage disposal, follow the list above.

Why Do Bugs Tend To Come Up The Drain?

The insects that live in drains are more attracted to the moisture in your drain and home. You may not be able on your own to regulate the moisture level in your drain, but you can do something about the moisture levels in your house.

To reduce the moisture in your house, which will make it less attractive to pests:

Fix any leaky faucets or pipes.
Use a dehumidifier, especially in humid areas of your home, such as the basement or bathroom.
Ventilate damp areas of your home, such as the laundry room or kitchen.
Make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris.

By taking these steps, you can make your home less attractive to pests and help prevent them from coming up the drain.

Keeping Pests Out of Your Drain

Stopping bugs from living in your drain means keeping your home clean and being vigilant about checking for them.

If you find that you’re constantly dealing with bugs in your drain, it may be time to call a professional.

Check for Things Attracting Bugs in Your Home

Are you still wondering how to stop bugs from coming up the drain?

Check for things like food that may have fallen and rotted, old water that has been sitting around, or anything else that might be a food source for them. If you can remove these attractants you may find that it helps to reduce the number of bugs coming up the drain.

Reduce Moisture in Your Home

Bugs are attracted to moisture, so one way to help keep them away is to reduce the amount of moisture in your home. This can be done by using a dehumidifier, fixing leaks, and ventilating damp areas.

Seal Entry Points

Bugs can enter your home through small cracks and crevices. To help keep them out, seal any cracks or crevices around your home, especially those leading to your drain.

Conclusion

If you liked this article on how to stop bugs from coming up the drain please let us know in the comments. Several bugs on the list are harder than other bugs to get rid of, but most bugs respond to Green Gobbler Fruit Fly Killer the same way.

No matter what you do, it’s important to remember that bugs are always going to find their way into your home. The best way to deal with them is to keep your sink clean from food that may be stuck in your drainage system and be vigilant about checking for them.