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How to Get Rid of Bugs in the Septic Tank
How to Get Rid of Bugs in the Septic Tank. The septic system is often forgotten by homeowners until something goes wrong, and then, many times, it is too late for a simple solution. The septic system is a dark moist place teeming with beneficial bacteria, but it can also be the home to worms and insects that can make their way up the drain and into...
The septic system is often forgotten by homeowners until something goes wrong, and then, many times, it is too late for a simple solution. The septic system is a dark moist place teeming with beneficial bacteria, but it can also be the home to worms and insects that can make their way up the drain and into your home. There are actions a homeowner can make to keep insects from entering the home and get rid of them in the septic tank.
Things You'll Need
Bleach
Drain covers
Hose
Pump
High-pressure washer
Pour bleach into each drain in the house as this kills any eggs or larvae in the drain itself. Run water down the drain to clean out the bleach and wash any dislodged larvae or eggs into the septic tank.
Cover all drains in the home with drain covers to keep insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, from entering the pipe and making their way to the septic tank. This also keeps insects from making their way out of the pipe and into the home.
Contact a licensed liquid waste remover or pumper via recommendations from the local health department. Check to see if you have access to the septic tank from the surface. Connect a hose to the pump. Place the hose into the septic tank through the access point. Connect a second hose to the other end of the pump and run it to the waste removal vehicle. Turn on the pump. Pump out the septic water. This removes many of the insects, eggs and larvae from the septic tank. A licensed pumper will likely use his own hose and pump setup.
Use a high-pressure washer to liquefy and dislodge the two-three inches of sludge and sediment on the bottom of the tank. This will be where many of the worms and other burrowing insects will live. Pump out the remaining liquid until the tank is empty.
Tips & Warnings
Never pour insecticides or other poisons into the septic system. If the tank leaks it can contaminate the ground water and may also kill the beneficial microbes that help break down the waste.
Always contact a licensed liquid waste remover or septic pumper and never pump wastewater into the ground as it is an environmental and health hazard.
