Finding Small, Tiny Worms in Your House

Have you ever found small, tiny worms in your house? It sounds bizarre to even make such a statement. Sadly, many people have slimy, unwelcome visitors and have yet to learn where they came from or how they got into their homes. Sure, having an ant, roach, spider, or even a silverfish might seem “normal,” but having small, tiny worms in your house brings pest problems to another level.

Moisture and a Point of Entry is All That’s Needed

As pest control professionals, we often get random calls from people with strange problems. We’ve heard of mushrooms coming up through the bathroom floor and bugs clinging to this moisture area. However, it’s not uncommon for our technicians to find small, tiny worms in your house in these moist and humid areas.

Have you ever been outside after a hard rain and seen all the changes Mother Nature causes? There might be leaves and sticks on the ground, and streams and creeks rushing due to a surge of water. Also seen is an increase in the population of worms on the ground.

Worms will retreat above ground after a hard rain when the ground becomes saturated. Worms need a moist environment since they breathe through their skin but over-saturation becomes an issue for them. A waterlogged area will reduce the oxygen a worm can get, so it comes to the surface for air.

Additionally, worms can move much quicker when the ground surface is wet. Moist soil makes it easier for them to move about, so tasks like finding a place to live and food to eat are more manageable. Why do you think you always see them under rocks or in piles of debris? Moisture is vital to their survival.

Inside your home is no different. A worm isn’t going to go into a standard home unless there’s decay, high humidity, and excessive moisture. So, small, tiny worms in your house are a warning sign that you’ve got a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

What Kind of Small, Tiny Worms Are in Your House?

People mistake centipedes and millipedes for worms because of their similar movements. They are not in the same family as worms and are not on the same level of concern as small, tiny worms in your house.

Finding these critters on your sidewalk is relatively common, but they usually don’t come inside. Here are some possible worms that can make their way into your space.

1. Earthworms

The earthworm is the most common worm that makes its way into your dwelling. While they typically don’t infest a home like some creatures, they are notorious for coming in after a hard rain.

Remember, worms come out of the ground because they can’t get enough oxygen in waterlogged soil, so they seek refuge wherever they can.

Your home provides an excellent spot for them to eat and find shelter, especially if you have a basement. Basements are notorious for being wet or damp. Earthworms feed on fungi and algae, decaying roots, plant debris, cardboard, and newspaper, so your basement is the perfect spot.

Identification

There are more than 180 species of earthworms in the US, so while they look primarily the same, there are variations. The earthworm has a long body with different segments that form rings. Its color varies but is usually reddish-brown or pink. Its hue can change based on the soil it inhabits.

Earthworms are generally large and can be 3-10 inches long, but the younger ones are a mere 1/2 inch long and almost translucent. Of course, their bodies are slimy due to the mucus they create, but the mucus is necessary to help them move. It’s challenging to decipher the head from the tail as they don’t have eyes or limbs. However, there’s a thicker ring that’s called the saddle that is closest to the head, which makes identification easier.

2. Blackworms

Black worms prefer muddy and wet areas, and if you live anywhere near water, it’s possible these critters could wander inside. People refer to these worms by names such as “mud worms” or “California Black Worms,” but you shouldn’t be confused. A mud worm is another species, but it typically lives in tidal zones near the ocean.

There are many instances of these small, tiny worms in a house, especially in the more humid climates like Florida and Alabama. However, the humidity levels in New Jersey can be uncomfortable too, so we’re seeing more instances of this specific worm making its way inside.

Black worms are typically in clusters, and if you have a pond on your property, digging a bit on the bottom will produce thousands of them. They eat algae, decaying vegetation, and fresh produce.

Identification

Blackworms are traditionally black or a dark brown color. They are around 1-4 inches in length. Their body is long and slender, but there are clearly defined segments. These worms move in a wavy formation like a snake as they use their muscles to maneuver. You’ll almost always find them entangled or clustered with other worms of their species.

3. Flatworms

Flatworms are a category with many species. For instance, tapeworms and flukes are considered flatworms. These worms can make their way into your home as they are naturally found in the soil. If it’s especially rainy, your basement has excessive moisture or even a dirt floor, it’s not uncommon for them to take up residence.

Identification

Flatworms are easy to identify because their bodies are small and flat and have a ribbon-like appearance. They can be microscopic in size or up to a few centimeters long. There are many color variations, too, including translucent, brown, gray, white, or yellow. Some scientists have found hues of red and blue, too. Their colors help them be more adaptable to their surroundings.

4. Larvae

Some small, tiny worms in your house aren’t worms at all. Larvae can look very much like worms, which are insects going through the metamorphosis period. The insect is laid as an egg, then hatches as larvae. Many common forms of larvae dwell in your space:

• Maggots
• Caterpillars/Inchworms
• Beetles – wireworms
• Grubs
• Mosquito
• Moths

While many of these larvae can be in your home, the most found are maggots. When a female fly lays eggs, she doesn’t stay around to see if they hatch. She usually puts them where they can find something to eat.

If she happens to lay eggs in your home, maggots will form. Though you might think they’re small, white worms, they’re just in the process of becoming flies. However, any larvae you find should be evaluated because you may have a bigger problem than you realize when you see them in your space.

Identification

Most larvae are usually anywhere from a white-translucent color to hues of tan. These plump creatures wiggle about and are small. They measure anywhere from .5-1.5 inches in length. There are different specifications depending on the type of larvae you’re dealing with, but you can usually identify the insects based on essential characteristics.

 How Did They Get into Your House?

Entry for small, tiny worms in your house is simple. The same way rodents and other insects enter your home is the same way worms will enter your home. For worms, it’s really about the foundation, as they’re not likely to crawl up to the second story to find a gap near the window.

Larvae, which look like worms but aren’t, are usually there because they’ve hatched from an egg inside or near your home. A random fly that got inside can lay eggs and cause you to have maggots. The same can occur with a beetle or a moth. Any insect that enters your home and lays eggs will produce larvae, which eerily resemble worms.

Since they move best in moist soil, their likely entry point will be through your foundation or lower level. If you have a basement, your chances of having such an encounter are exponentially higher. Worms have a reduced chance of getting into a finished basement over a crawlspace or one that’s never been made into a living space. Securing the foundation lessens bigger problems and access for worms to enter.

Foundation issues, such as shifting, sinking, or cracking, require immediate attention. Realizing homes can shift and move as they age is scary but structural changes happen all the time. If a worm can get inside your home, you’ll likely have problems with other critters too, so sealing off these entry points is essential.

Worms naturally hang out near mulch, flowerbeds, rocks, piles of leaves, and compost bins. If you have any of these items close to your foundation, an exceptionally wet season can bring them out of the ground as they look for a new place to hide and ample oxygen.

Tackling Small, Tiny Worms in Your House

First, you need to recognize what kind of worm is invading your space. The internet makes it easier to identify crawling critters. Removing one worm from your home is easy. Removing several identifies an issue that needs to be addressed to find how they are getting inside.

If you leave a door open for your pets to run in and out or your kids come and go frequently, an open door is like rolling out the welcome mat. Small, tiny worms in your house can get in quickly. When you notice a large amount of worms in one location, that area needs to be treated.

The primary objective when finding maggots in your home is to eliminate them, followed by performing a thorough cleaning of the space. The following are things you can try to get worms out of your home:

Pesticides

While you probably think of pesticides as used for ants and roaches, you can also use them to eliminate small, tiny worms in your house. Not only should you spray the pesticide directly on them, but you should spray around your foundation and near any possible entry points.

Seal Your Home

If you have ground-level vents or windows in a basement, you need to put fine wire mesh around them. This will prevent anything else from getting into these entry points. If you have cracks or crevasses that need to be treated, you can stuff steel wool in them until you can professionally fix them. Also, don’t forget to check around the pipes, as this is a moist place that can attract them.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkling DE in your soil is always beneficial. This all-natural product has sharp shards that penetrate the worm’s skin and make it unable to breathe. Worms will die quickly once they encounter this product.

Seal off Food Products

Leaving out pet food or open containers can give worms or anything else a free meal. Even cereal boxes can be problematic, so opt for plastic storage containers.

Deep Cleaning

Worms don’t carry diseases but they have been in not-so-clean places. Cleaning the area after removing them will remove the residue from where they have been. So, cleaning any surface they’ve come in contact with is advisable.

Call Pest Control

If you’ve tried to get rid of small, tiny worms in your house but still see them, it’s time to call professional help. A trained technician can spot entry points you may not see, give you advice, and treat small, tiny worms in your house.

Prevention

Worms are more annoying than dangerous. They can’t see anything and have no way to bite. They don’t carry viruses and diseases like roaches and ticks, so there’s no need to panic if you see one in your home. However, it’s more important to identify how they got into your space and tackle that problem.

Usually, fixing any entry points will automatically take care of worm issues unless an excessive moisture issue causes mold or mildew. If you’ve tried and failed at getting rid of small, tiny worms in your house, it’s time to call in professional reinforcements like Kapture Pest Control.

Other Helpful Articles