QUESTION:

How do I eliminate springtails coming up from a tub drain that is connected to the main drain in a four unit complex? They are coming up in two other units as well.

ANSWER:

I have been corrected on the ability for American cockroaches to find their way up from sewers below, to swim or crawl through the water in the P-trap, and to emerge into a structure in this manner. My standard response was always that this should not be possible for any insect to do, but several people have offered their first-hand accounts of watching American roaches make their way through water-filled P-traps without much effort. So, for these large insects apparently it is possible, but for tiny springtails I am going to stubbornly continue my stance that they should not be able to move past the water-trap and into a structure from sewers below. That is, as long as that water trap is in proper operating condition, so this is something that might be checked out if you are certain the springtails are entering from these drains.

More likely could simply be that springtails are attracted to moisture and they feed on various kinds of organic matter found in damp places. Floor and sink drains offer both of what they need, as drains typically begin to accumulate that buildup of sludge and slime that the springtails can eat, and a rental unit may be less likely to have these drains cleaned on a regular basis than a private home might. I know this is profiling, but I just can't help it. This suggests a wonderful "add-on" service you should offer for this 4-plex, and that is the regular use of a drain cleaning material in all drains to help remove any buildup. This slime and sludge that develops is also great feeding and harborage for drain and phorid flies, so you are helping to prevent numerous problems by keeping drains clean.

Univar carries many different brand names of drain cleaners, most of which now use either bacteria or enzymes to eat away the buildup, and these active ingredients are considered non-hazardous to humans. They should be used according to directions for each of them, but usually every couple of weeks initially if possible. They come in a variety of formulations, including liquids and foam, and the foam types may be more likely to coat the entire inner surface of the drain and remain there for awhile. This is what I would suggest for resolving the springtail problem - take away their reason for entering these drains and hopefully they will disappear. Also inspect other possible moisture sources in these units though, and potted plants with constantly moist soils are another great place for springtails and fungus gnats to develop.

One issue I will mention here is the recent reinforcement by EPA of their belief that NO claims for pest control in any way, shape, or form can be made on a product's labeling if that product is not properly registered as a pesticide. For this reason Rockwell Labs, for one, removed all mention of "fly management" from their cleaning products, and now label them as sanitation materials only. Technically a PMP should also not promote that he is doing fly or insect management when using drain cleaners if that material is not EPA registered, but hopefully it would be unlikely that regulatory folks would come down that hard on this issue. Just be aware of this and dance around it as needed.

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