When homeowners in Reston, VA, consider a pest problem, they might think of ants in the kitchen or mice in the attic. But one of the more unexpected — and often unsettling — locations pests can live is in your plumbing. Bugs can and do make homes in your pipes, and if they’re left unchecked, they can become a significant nuisance, not to mention a potential health hazard.

In this blog, Visit now as we will dive into how and why pests find their way into plumbing systems, what kinds of bugs are common culprits, and what those living in Reston can do to keep pests away from their pipes.

Why Plumbing Attracts Pests

Your plumbing system may not make much of a home, but to some household pests, it offers everything they need: moisture, warmth, darkness, and particles to munch on, especially if your pipes are leaking.

Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, sometimes even basements have drains and pipes that can serve as entryways for pests. If your plumbing has leaky seals, broken traps, or unused drains, it presents a perfect opportunity for bugs to get in and get cozy.

Pests You Might Find in Your Plumbing

Some of the nastiest pests that could get into your home through your plumbing include the following:

• Drain Flies: These tiny, hairy winged insects, also called moth flies, lay their eggs in the gunk that accumulates in the drains. If you see little flies near sinks and showers, especially at night, you probably have drain flies.
• Cockroaches: German and American roaches are notorious for climbing up through sewer lines and broken drain pipes to gain access to homes. Once in, they can carry diseases and contaminate food.
• Fruit Flies: Often confused with drain flies, fruit flies are drawn to fermenting food particles in garbage disposals and sink drains. They spread fast and are tough to tackle unless you clean properly.
• Silverfish: These moisture-loving pests can crawl in from bathrooms through drains, snacking on starchy material such as the glue in the binding of books or the paper itself, and even dead skin cells.
• Centipedes and Earwigs: These insects that crawl around are especially attracted to damp places such as under-sink cabinets or pipes, and they will come in from basement drains or floor-level vents.

How to Avoid and Control Plumbing Pests

But thankfully, there are a few easy and effective ways to stop pests in your plumbing system in Reston:

• Keep Drains Clean: Vinegar and baking soda: using regular deposits of baking soda (freshened by a few drops of hot water) down your drains, followed by a cup of vinegar and a pot of boiling water is a great way to clean and maintain those pipes. You can also purchase enzyme cleaners for your drain to help keep them open. Soil: This contributes to the decomposition of organic material that pests eat.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: Pests are attracted by moisture that results from standing water and leaky faucets. “Look under sinks, near toilets, behind appliances for leaks.
• Seal Entry Points: Make sure that you seal all the gaps around pipes that enter your house with caulk or foam insulation. This is also acts as a guard keeping bugs outside.
• Use Drain Covers: Use fine mesh drain screens to prevent insects from traveling into or out of drains.
• Run Water in Unused Drains: For rarely used bathrooms or utility sinks, run water occasionally to replenish drain traps and prevent pests from coming up from dry pipes.

Bring in a Professional Pest Control Crew

If the problem is recurrent, contact your local pest control specialist in Reston. They can also check your plumbing system and provide focused treatments that are safe and effective.

By being diligent and practicing good hygiene and maintenance, Reston homeowners can keep their homes free from unwanted visitors that slink in their homes through the sink. If you’ve already seen signs of an infestation, professional pest control services can help you regain peace of mind — and your pipes.