Cleaning your bathroom floor, shower drain, or bathroom sink and noticing tiny bugs here and there? These tiny black bugs are typically drain flies but there are different nuisance pests that could have made a home in your shower drains or stagnant water around the bathroom from that shower head. Here's our ultimate guide to all the bugs you could find and what to do before calling professional pest control.
Previously, we have discussed about tiny ants on kitchen counter and how to get rid of them!
Tiny Black Bugs: Most Common Bathroom Bugs
Drain Flies
The most common bathroom pests are drain flies. Adult drain flies will typically lay eggs in the drain plug, drain pipes, and the sink in your bathroom. Drain flies are dark brown or black and thrive in damp spaces. the best way to get rid of drain flies is with a homemade solution of apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and water or a chemical solution. Read more about cleaning tips on clothes moths vinegar cleaning on our site.
Roaches
Aside from drain flies, roaches are commonly found on your bathroom floor. German cockroaches are the most common type of roach that roam your bathroom floors because of the different entry points that lead to your bathroom (e.g., connected laundry rooms) as well as the high humidity in this area of the house. To keep your home pest-free from these roaches, remove food sources and organic matter from the bathroom floor.
Black Worms
Black worms attract bugs and can carry diseases which is why you should remove these pests from humid areas as soon as possible. Black worms make their way into the bathroom after a water leak or flood and these new bugs thrive in stagnant water. If you find these around your shower drain, the pipes are where they lay eggs. Get rid of the eggs and prevent the black worms from crawling around your bathroom floor or shower to prevent severe allergies.
Gnats
Though gnats are often found in the kitchen, organic matter can attract many bugs and gnats are one of them. Like other pests, gnats prefer laying eggs in humid environments. Prevent the ideal environment from being formed by turning off the lights in the bathroom, removing any food, and reduce humidity in the area as well.
Silverfish
While these bathroom pests don't bite humans like other insects like bed bugs, silverfish eat cellulose-based materials. They'll eat anything from toilet paper to cardboard boxes and even your wallpaper. To get rid of these carrot-shaped tiny bugs, remove their food source.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs aren't limited to just your bedroom and can actually be found in the bathroom. These tiny bugs find their way into the bathroom when your towels or clothes are infested with them. To get rid of bed bugs in the bathroom, you have to eliminate these tiny bugs around your entire home. Find these bugs in the bathroom? Call professional pest control to take care of the infestation.
Fruit Flies
These tiny bugs make their way into the bathroom through your bathroom windows and pose a serious health risk. They can transmit diseases so it's best to ensure that your window frames are covered with mesh. This way, the flies won't breed inside the bathroom. Make sure to throw out any rotting food in the kitchen so that these bugs won't make their way into the bathroom.
Dust Mites
Living rooms and other places with a lot of dust. If these tiny bugs have been discovered in the bathroom, you need to vacuum the space and reduce the high humidity of the area.
Carpenter Ants
Aside from drain flies, carpenter ants also frequent the bathroom. These ants are an indicator of leaking pipes and moist wood, their food of choice. Aside from leaky pipes, these ants can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Getting Rid of Common Tiny Black Bugs Immediately
Tiny bugs in bathroom found, what to do next? Whether you found drain flies, German cockroaches, or bed bugs, there are two options for you to choose from:
Bug Traps and Sprays
You can purchase different bait traps for the tiny bugs in the bathroom or even invest in sprays. Identify what tiny bugs have infested your bathroom and buy the appropriate solution.
Pest Control Services
Of course, you can also let pest control professionals do their thing. If you've found that the drain flies just keep coming back time and time again, call pest control.
What to Do to Prevent Pest Infestation
Deep Clean Your Entire Bathroom
In general, performing a deep clean of your bathroom can keep the drain flies and ants at bay. Pay extra attention to areas where eggs hatch or dead insects are usually found. Stop bugs from making a home in the bathroom by cleaning grout shower tile, drains, and other areas where water can accumulate.
Identify Your Plumbing Problem
Get to know your plumbing and pipe fittings in case you have a problem that has led to sewer flies and drain flies multiplying in the bathroom.
Use Window Screens
Bugs in the bathroom can easily be prevented with mesh screens. Windows, like doors, are potential entry points for flying and crawling bugs so buying mesh screens can make a big difference.
Empty Trash
The brown and black bugs in the bathroom could have wandered in there because of food sources in the trashcan. It's good practice to periodically throw your trash out when it is full to prevent bugs from eating out of and living in the bathroom.
No to a Humid Environment
Bathrooms with high humidity will call to pests. Air out your bathroom often or after use to prevent the spread of various diseases that bugs carry around.
Fill Cracks and Crevices
Tiny bugs in bathroom? Scour the area for any cracks and crevices and cover them up. These little spaces are breeding grounds for common bathroom bugs and are easy hiding places.
Seeking Professional Assistance for Severe Infestations
If DIY solutions don’t work and you find yourself with persistent infestation problems, it’s time to seek professional assistance. A certified pest control expert will be able to offer tailored advice on how best to remove your particular bug problem. They may suggest using bait boxes that are specifically designed to control certain types of bugs. Additionally, they may also offer long-term solutions such as sealing potential entry points or even treating the entire area with insecticides.
Tiny Bugs In Bathroom – FAQ
How do I get rid of tiny bugs in my bathroom?
The best way to get rid of tiny bugs in your bathroom is to first identify the type of bug, then take appropriate steps for complete removal. Vacuuming is an effective method for most small insects. You can also use a cleaning solution of water and bleach to help eliminate any leftover eggs or larvae that may be present. If infestations are severe, you may need to consider using insecticides or calling a professional exterminator for assistance.
What are the common types of tiny bugs found in bathrooms?
The most common types of tiny bugs found in bathrooms are drain flies, fruit flies, gnats, spiders, silverfish and moths. All of these pests thrive in damp conditions and can find plenty of food sources near sinks, tubs, and toilets.
Are there any health risks associated with having tiny bugs in the bathroom?
Yes, some tiny bugs can carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans through infection or bites. Insects like fruit flies are known for carrying bacteria like salmonella which can cause food poisoning when ingested. In addition, spiders may bite if provoked and leave painful welts that can become infected with germs from the bug’s saliva. It is important to take measures to reduce the presence of these insects on your property in order to prevent any potential health risks.
