In the plumbing business, we see our fair share of bugs, especially in the Phoenix metro area. There is nothing insects love more than moisture from a good plumbing leak. Today we’re going to talk about some of the bugs you can expect a plumbing leak or a faulty irrigation situation to attract. Some are destructive, others are unsanitary or even bite. But none of them are welcome in your home. Here is the lineup:
Termites
Mud tubes are made by termites, who love moisture.
With seventeen different types of termites in Arizona, we have our share of termite trouble, but there is one in particular which is drawn to water. They love it so much; they make mud tubes with which to travel through your home. Damp wood makes them happy, too.
Cockroaches
Those skittery little brown German Cockroaches which infest your kitchen like being close to water. Dirty dishes in the sink don’t just attract them because of crumbs, but also because of the water. American cockroaches, the big 1 to 1-½ in variety that can fly, live in sewers. Cockroaches are a filthy visitor to any home.
Silverfish
Another nasty surprise awaits beneath the sink with a leak, and that is the well-named silverfish. They love the damp, paper, especially boxes, and clothing. They don’t have the greasy, disgusting quality of roaches, but they rate a nine on the shudder scale.
Ants
Not only do ants love sweets and water, but they also offer the bonus of having a painful bite. So, while they don’t make us shudder like some other insects, they can hurt us. They also chew up the wood in your home to create nests, not to eat it.
Scorpions
Scorpions don’t need a lot of food, but they do need water. If you find scorpions, there’s a pretty good chance you have a leak which other insects have come to enjoy, and the scorpions, in turn, have come to sample the insects drawn by the water.
Spiders
Spiders are another insect which isn’t so much drawn to the water as to the provision of bugs created by the plumbing leak. These opportunists take advantage of the bug population at hand.
Mosquitos
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, such as puddled water, which is where they breed. These beauties often turn up after a few days of rain, when our caliche-packed soil refuses to absorb the water. So, if mosquitoes are biting you and there hasn’t been a standing-water type of storm lately, there is a source of water close at hand.
If you start to see a proliferation of insects in or around your home, it’s worth the effort to go on a little hunting mission for a plumbing leak. You can look for leaks, or watch your water meter. If the leak is in an irrigation pipe or underground, it might be a little harder to trace. If you know it’s there but can’t find it, or you suspect a leak but don’t find it, you can always call us, and we’ll be happy to come out and do that.
If you need an honest, dependable plumber in the Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe or Chandler area, call Jimmy at 480-757-1273
