Expert: Walter Hintz - 5/12/2008

Question
Much to my wife's shock tonight, she notice some small white worms floating in the bath water.  Upon further investigation we determinted that they were coming out of the overflow spout.  We live in a fairly new home (occupied for only 1 year) on a septic system.  We have not noticed the worms in any other fixture in the house.  I was hoping you could help me identify these things.  They are small, no more than 3/8 to 1/2 inch, white or almost transparent.  There is a skinny black mark on both ends.  It's like I can see through them and there is some sort of egg shaped object inside them that moves sometimes.  I have three of them in a cup of water right now and they are still alive, so drowning them is not an option.  I have photographs, but I do not see a way to attach them.

Answer
Hi Matt
You can send the photos to waltjh@sbcglobal.net. These sound like maggots from drain flies.  They feed on the soap scum on the inside of the pipes.  A strong drain cleaner should get rid of them.  Have you noticed any small adult flies flying around?