Based on the description we inferred from the pictures our reader sent in, we believe these are midge fly larvae, more commonly known as bloodworms. Hemoglobin gives midge fly larvae their vibrant red color, and that is where the name ‘bloodworm’ stems from. Bloodworms are often found in aquatic systems, so it is very possible that our reader found these in his bathtub.

Now that we have a solid guess at what these creatures are, we will give some suggestions on how to get rid of them. Although these larvae aren’t harmful to humans (they don’t transmit human diseases), they aren’t often considered aesthetically pleasing, and most people would rather live without them. The larvae can be quite resistant due to their ability to withstand temperature changes and to survive at low levels of oxygen. If the reader believes that his bathtub drain is the breeding source for these larvae, he should act accordingly to the following steps: Begin by cleaning the drain from the outside, then pour warm water down the drain to loosen up the grit lining the pipes. Use a metal pipe brush or a plumbing snake to thoroughly clean the pipe of all grime. Then use a drain cleaner gel that is specifically designed to remove organic matter (because larvae feed on organic matter). Wait a couple of hours after using the cleaner, and then pour lots of water down the drain. While some people believe that simply pouring scolding hot water down the drain will do the job, these larvae can survive at high temperatures! We hope our reader is able to get rid of these bloodworms and use his bathtub in peace.

Since the reader didn’t provide any description with his photos, there is always a possibility we are missing some crucial information that would lead to the identification of another worm. However, we believe that he is dealing with bloodworms.