Worms in Toilet: Here's What's Going On

So, you look down into your toilet and spot the thing you may have least expected: worms. What next steps do take to figure out what these worms mean and how to get rid of them? Trust the team at Mr. Rooter^® to help you identify and get rid of these pests.

If at any time you are worried about your health and are concerned that the worm may have come from someone in your household, we recommend seeing a healthcare professional. If you think the worms are a sign of plumbing issues, contact your local Mr. Rooter team to get the situation handled immediately.

How to Identify Worms in Toilet

Worms can come in a variety of sizes and colors. Most of the time they can be easy to spot, but do you know why they are showing up in your toilet in the first place? Here are the varieties of worms that tend to occur in this phenomenon. Let us show you how to determine which species is present, including color and size.

Bloodworms in My Toilet

Bloodworms are common household pests and can be found near any source of water in your home, including sinks and bathtubs. Bloodworms earned their name from their bright red color due to hemoglobin in their bodies. These pests are thin and can grow up to a few inches long.

How Do I Get Rid of Bloodworms in My Toilet?

Due to bloodworms enjoying stagnant water, an infrequently used toilet is a perfect habitat. The best way to get rid of them is to remove them from your toilet bowl and thoroughly clean the toilet, as they are feeding off organic matter in your toilet. Once they have no organic matter to eat, they will no longer view your toilet bowl as a suitable environment.

Earthworms in My Toilet

Having earthworms in your toilet means something completely different than bloodworms. When these long, brown worms show up in a toilet, it could mean your sewer pipe is cracked. Having a cracked pipe easily allows worms or foreign bodies into your home. Earthworms soak up oxygen from their skin, so if the water has oxygen in it, the earthworm will continue to stay alive.

How Do I Get Rid of Earthworms in My Toilet?

Since earthworms most likely indicate a crack in your plumbing, this is something that will need to be checked out by professionals in order to eliminate the problem. Trust Mr. Rooter to perform a full inspection of your plumbing to get down to the root of the problem.

Horsehair Worms in my Toilet

Horsehair worms are long, black worms roughly the thickness of a horse's hair. You may observe horsehair worms knotted up into a ball. This pest most likely got into your home or toilet through an insect, such as a cricket or cockroach who ingested a string of eggs in a nearby pond.

How Do I Get Rid of Horsehair Worms in My Toilet?

Fortunately, horsehair worms are not as common as other types of worms. They are most likely spotted as the weather turns cold and insects retreat inside houses for warmth. Ensuring your home is properly sealed during all seasons will keep horsehair worms out.

Tiny Black Worms or Larvae in My Toilet

If you spot tiny black worms in your toilet, they are probably drain fly larvae. These pests live off of sewage and decaying matter, which makes your toilet a perfect location for them. Adult females lay large clusters of eggs, which explains why there may be more than one worm in your toilet.

How Do I Get Rid of Drain Fly Larvae in My Toilet?

Thoroughly clean your toilet bowl with a scrubbing brush and drain cleaner to eliminate the gunk and slime drain fly larvae love to eat. Be sure to scour the inside of the toilet tank and under the rim of the toilet bowl.

Trust Mr. Rooter with Your Plumbing Needs

Trust the team at Mr. Rooter to examine your plumbing and to make sure your plumbing system is safe and free of worms. Call Mr. Rooter or make an appointment online to address any plumbing concerns.