Brits warned to pour boiling water down drains immediately if they see these strange creatures

If you've read Stephen King's iconic novel It or watched the 2017 adaptation of it, you'll know that taking a peek down a drain can be a dangerous game.

The chances of Pennywise popping up through the pipework might be slim, but he's not the only one who's a fan of exploring the sewers.

In fact, there's a host of other pests who like setting up camp in gutters too - which can end up being an even bigger nuisance than a killer clown if you don't get rid of them sharpish.

So if you ever see anything untoward going on down your plughole, stick the kettle on and get ready to drench it in boiling water, as it's the first step to getting rid of your unwelcome drain dwellers.

The pests like to lay their eggs in sludge and debris which accumulates in drains (Reddit)

A content creator decided to share some advice about how to deal with drain flies after seeing a 'really gross' Reddit post about them.

In a TikTok video, he explained that a couple had found a 'black mass of creatures' wriggling around in an unused drain.

"This is actually something relatively common, and they might even be in your home," the social media user said.

But don't fret, as you can evict the annoying insects by following a few steps.

Explaining that the bubbling black sludge is actually 'drain fly larvae', the content creator said these will eventually evolve into the real deal.

According to Pronto Pest Management, adults enjoy laying their eggs inside the muck which accumulates inside drains.

These hairy, moth-like creatures then head on their merry way to torment you while in flight, waiting for the next generation to grow.

Females can lay hundreds of eggs each, so it's an issue that you will want to nip in the bud as soon as possible.

Drain flies can be quite difficult to get rid of if you don't act fast (Getty Stock Photo)

Drain flies thrive in dark, damp conditions so a drain is their ideal destination - hence the name - and they have a penchant for polluted water contaminated with horrible stuff like faeces.

They are usually a light grey or tan colour and have a dark border around their wings, pest control experts say.

The content creator continued: "Basically, anywhere there is standing water in your home, they will spawn.

"In small numbers they are not typically considered harmful, but if you have an infestation, they can spread pretty harmful bacteria to your food, contaminating surfaces...they're not something you want in your home."

Too right - so, how do we get rid of drain flies?

Well, apparently, the first thing you want to do is drench the larvae in a load of boiling water, which will hopefully dislodge the majority of them.

Experts recommend heating a medium-size pot of water and pouring it down and around the drain once or twice a week until you've got rid of your unwelcome guests.

From there, you can give your drain or sink area a thorough clean.

Country Living suggest using a pipe cleaner to get in all of the nooks and crannies inside the drain is also a great idea.

Concocting a mixture of some baking soda, salt and vinegar to douse your drain in can also work a treat if it's left overnight and rinsed with boiling water the next day.

Or if you don't fancy whipping up your own solution, purchasing a drain-cleaner could help banish the insects with help from all the chemicals which unclog our pipes.

This step will also help flush out any debris which could be considered an ideal breeding ground by a drain fly.

Make sure you do your research before you go all Kim and Aggie on your household drains, but just know, you're not doomed.