Do you have a pest problem in your home? If so, you’re not alone. Pests can be a real hassle, and they can cause serious damage to your property if left untreated. In this blog post, we’ll discuss one common type of pest: insects that live in your plumbing systems. We’ll provide tips on how to get rid of these pests and keep them from returning. So read on to learn more!
How to Tell If You Have a Pest in Your Plumbing System
If you’re not sure whether or not you have a pest in your plumbing system, there are some tell-tale signs. For one thing, insects frequently make nests out of whatever material is available to them. As a result, they may build nests inside of your warm water supply lines, where it’s dry and secure. Look for significant structural damage inside of these pipes. You might also see webbing near the nest site or a plumbing leak.
Sometimes, though, pests will take up residence elsewhere in your home rather than under the floorboards or within the walls themselves – often close to an entry point into your house that they find particularly appealing. Pests can get into vents through cracks or holes that are larger than 1mm in size (I’m talking about the ones you can see with the naked eye here). Some pests may also take up residence within your faucets. In both cases, similar signs generally suggest that you have a pest problem: excessive webbing or dirt residue in hard-to-get areas of your home.
How are insects getting inside my plumbing pipes?
Insects are entering your plumbing pipes or system for one or more of the following reasons:
1) Your home may have an existing pest problem. If you notice pests in your home, chances are that some of them may be making their homes in your plumbing systems. These pests include cockroaches, rodents, and silverfish.
2) Your plumbing system may be damaged. Cracks in your pipes can provide insects with a passage into your home. This is especially the case if you have frost damage or leaks that have gone unfixed for months or years at a time.
3) Close proximity to an entry point. Insects might be getting inside of your house by crawling through an opening as small as 1mm wide. Some insects may also make their way through vents and other structures on the exterior of your home. And some insects such as roaches and rodents tend to enter homes more readily when they smell food around them; this is why these bugs can find great places to hide within cracks and holes in your walls or floors.
Pests that Breed or Live in Drain Pipes
While any type of insect could potentially live in your drainage system, there are some that are far more common than others that will plumbing issues. Here’s a look at the most common types of insects you’ll encounter:
Cockroaches
Roaches – especially German cockroaches or brown-banded cockroaches – can be extremely annoying. These pests like to make their homes near sources of light according to pest control experts “cockroaches will make sure they can get food, water, and warmth” before entering someone’s home. The colder it is outside, the more likely these bugs are to come indoors for shelter rather than attempt the dangerous journey outdoors where predators lizards and frogs might eat them. Roaches also prefer to have a source of water nearby, so they may find existing cracks in your plumbing system and build nests within them.
Rodents
Rodents – particularly mice and rats – are attracted to the same things that roaches are: food sources, warmth, and water. Mice can access your plumbing systems both by chewing through structural defects in your home’s exterior or going through vents. And typically when you notice rodents living in your house you’ll notice a distinct smell as well; this is because these pests urinate frequently throughout their day-to-day lives.
Silverfish
These bugs like dark spaces where they can hide from when they shed their skin. They also like to hide near sources of humidity; if your plumbing system provides these bugs with enough moisture to survive, silverfish may take up residence in that area.
Spider
Some insects like spiders are not looking for a home – they only want access to the food you have living inside your house. Spiders will crawl through cracks year-round but are particularly fond of doing so during autumn or late spring. The southern house spider, for example, is attracted to homes with lights on at night because this typically indicates that there is close human activity nearby. This spider can enter homes through 1mm openings all year round but prefers vents and other areas just below the roofline during autumn/fall or early spring.
While it’s possible for any type of insect to make a home in your drainage system, it’s important to remember that certain types are far more likely to do so. Cockroaches, rodents, silverfish, and spiders are all particularly attracted to homes with water damage or sources of moisture nearby.
Health Issues with Pests in Your Plumbing Systems
While most people know that having pests within your home is unsanitary and can be a source of emotional distress, fewer people realize the serious health issues these bugs can pose to you and your family. Insects can carry a number of diseases on their body, from the bites and stings they have to venom that is often secreted from their mandibles or stingers. And each insect that lives in your drainage system has its own unique way of transmitting disease.
What can I do to get rid of these pests?
Depending on the severity of the pest issue in your home, there are a number of products that you can use to fight back against pesky insects in your plumbing system. We recommend going with an option that’s residentially safe and effective. You’ll find a few examples below:
– Insecticides made specifically for indoor and outdoor use – these work best when you spray them near potential entry points in order to create a protective barrier around your property
– Fogging agents – apply these directly into cracks and holes, preferably after spraying from outside
– Roach gels – place them into areas where roaches congregate (such as wall crevices, behind appliances, places where pipes meet the floor, etc.)
Whenever you use any pesticides or chemicals in your home, always follow the safety instructions that come with these products to ensure that you remain safe at all times and avoid health issues. If you need help identifying potential issues in your plumbing system or property, our team at Plumbing Heroes: Alameda is here for you! We’re experienced plumbers who are committed to providing excellent service every time – so give us a call today!