A minute frog perched on the top of the doorknob I had just reached for outside my suite. For a brief moment, I wondered, “Was it real?” Standing there, as stock-still as a statue, I was truly dumbfounded. While the tiny frog looked very life-like, it wasn’t moving. I reached down into the depths of my pocket for a magnifying glass, my fingers slowly clasping the handle. Grasping it tightly, my arm moved; the frog hopped and then disappeared. Looking around me, my eyes adjusting to the light of the full moon, I noticed that these little green creatures were everywhere—on the sidewalk, in the planters, on the benches that lined the walkway.
Finally opening the door, I was impressed by the cleanliness of the room. Walking into the bathroom, I saw more signs of life. Three firebrats—with their awkwardly-long antenna and tufts of brown scales—scurried to and fro in the bleach-white ceramic bathtub. Trapped, I let them be. I poured myself a glass of whiskey.
This was Zimbabwe. Insects and amphibians roamed this part of the world freely. Those that loved the heat and the humidity stayed, bred, and enjoyed this wet, green slice of our beautiful earth.
The common firebrat is shiny, a mottled gray or brown color, and about ½ an inch long. It’s slender, wingless, and soft-bodied. If you conjure this up in your mind, it’s rather disturbing, isn’t it? To add to that bothersome , imagine two willowy antennae—each of which is so lengthy that it reaches out beyond the entire length of the firebrat’s body—and three thin tail-like appendages (on the other end of the body) that extend quite far out too.
Firebrats prefer higher temperatures, require some humidity, and can be found in bakeries and near boilers or furnaces. Because they have enzymes in their guts that digest cellulose, their diet is quite extensive, ranging from book bindings and dog food to flour, cotton, and wood.
They can contaminate food, damage paper goods, and stain clothing. That, I believe, is sufficient knowledge to get rid of them.
Bathrooms provide the ideal environment for a wide variety of bugs and insects. With moisture, warmth and plenty of places to hide, it’s no wonder these pests love bathrooms so much. If you’ve noticed more creepy crawlers in your bathroom lately, you’re not alone Here’s a look at the most common bathroom bugs, why they’re drawn to these spaces, and tips for keeping them out of your special sanctuary once and for all
Why Bugs Love Bathrooms
Before getting into specific species, it helps to understand exactly why bathrooms attract so many bugs in the first place There are three key factors at play
Moisture
Bathrooms tend to be some of the most humid rooms in a home thanks to steamy showers, wet sinks, leaky pipes and more. Bugs thrive in damp environments, so all that moisture is like a homing beacon for them.
Food Sources
You may not think of your bathroom as a buffet, but many common bathroom pests feast on things like soap scum, mold and shed hair. Even small amounts of standing water can nurture bacteria and fungi that bugs find delicious.
Hiding Spots
Between plumbing fixtures, cabinets, baseboards and tile grout, bathrooms offer tons of cracks and crevices for bugs to tuck themselves away in. Their small size lets them take full advantage of all those nooks and crannies.
12 Common Bathroom Bugs
Now let’s look at some of the usual insects and creepy crawlies that tend to frequent bathroom spaces:
1. Drain Flies
Identifying traits: Tiny flying insects often found hovering around sink and shower drains. They have fuzzy bodies and long antennae.
What attracts them: Drain flies lay their eggs and thrive in the gunk that builds up inside drains, feeding on bacteria and fungi.
How to control them: Clean drains thoroughly with a baking soda/vinegar mix or boiling water. Bleach helps eliminate eggs and larvae. Keep drains dry.
2. Fruit Flies
Identifying traits: Miniscule flies with red eyes and tan/brown bodies. They swarm over ripe fruit and other decaying, sugary substances.
What attracts them: Fruit flies follow fermenting, sweet residue from things like hair products, soap, trash and damp towels into bathrooms.
How to control them: Removing food sources like trash and cleaning residue helps. DIY traps with apple cider vinegar or wine also work.
3. Drain/Sewer Flies
Identifying traits: Slow flying insects with dark fuzzy bodies that resemble small moths. They congregate around drains.
What attracts them: These flies breed in the organic muck that builds up in drainage pipes and sewer systems.
How to control them: Keep drains clean using boiling water, bleach or enzyme cleaners. Keep bathroom dry and well-ventilated.
4. Fungus Gnats
Identifying traits: Tiny dark flies or mosquito-like insects that hover slowly and erratically over damp surfaces.
What attracts them: Fungus gnat larvae feed on mold and fungi in wet soils and rotting organic matter around damp sinks and tubs.
How to control them: Allow wet surfaces to dry completely. Remove decaying matter and sanitize with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar.
5. Moth Flies
Identifying traits: Furry-looking flies about 1/8 inch long. They have a moth-like appearance but feathery antennae.
What attracts them: Moth flies breed in drains, sewers and damp areas where sludge or organic matter accumulates.
How to control them: Use drain cleaners monthly to clear out breeding grounds. Check pipes for leaks. Reduce bathroom humidity.
6. Phorid Flies
Identifying traits: Tiny flying insects that are attracted to decaying organic matter. They have a distinctive humpbacked shape.
What attracts them: Moist environments in drains, pipes and garbage disposals where these flies can lay eggs on food debris or slime.
How to control them: Clean out all pipes and drains thoroughly. Don’t leave dirty dishes sitting in the sink. Keep bathroom dry.
7. House Flies
Identifying traits: Common flies up to 1/4 inch long with gray bodies and four lengthwise stripes on their thorax.
What attracts them: House flies feed on decaying matter found in drains, garbage cans and anywhere else food particles may collect.
How to control them: Install window and door screens. Use fly paper strips. Take out trash regularly and clean surfaces to remove breeding spots.
8. Cluster Flies
Identifying traits: Dark gray flies about 1/4 inch long that make a noisy droning sound when flying. They cluster together on walls and windows.
What attracts them: In fall, cluster flies look for warm places to overwinter and are drawn indoors to attics, wall voids and windows.
How to control them: Seal cracks and entry points around windows. Use fly paper and gentle sprays. Vacuum up flies.
9. Fungus Gnats
Identifying traits: Tiny mosquito-like flies with long legs and one set of wings. They are dark in color with a Y-shaped vein pattern on their wings.
What attracts them: Fungus gnats thrive in damp soils and rotting plant matter. They are attracted to mold and moisture around sinks and tubs.
How to control them: Remove decaying plants and dry out soggy soil. Fix any leaky plumbing. Allow wet surfaces to dry before using again.
10. Moth Flies
Identifying traits: Very small flies less than 1/8 inch long. They are covered with dense hairs and have antennae with feathery bristles.
What attracts them: Moth flies breed in drain pipes, sewers, and other areas with lots of organic matter or sludge buildup.
How to control them: Use drain cleaners and pipe brushes monthly to remove breeding sites. Fix any leaky plumbing. Improve ventilation.
11. Phorid Flies
Identifying traits: Tiny, dark flies that are humpbacked in shape. They are attracted to moist organic matter.
What attracts them: Phorids breed in debris, growth and slime inside drains, garbage disposals, pipes and other damp sites.
How to control them: Thoroughly clean all pipes and drains. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. Fix any leaks and keep the bathroom dry.
12. Sciarid Flies
Identifying traits: Dark colored flies less than 1/5 inch long. They have a hopping motion and short antennae.
What attracts them: Sciarid flies thrive in wet, decomposing matter often found in sink and shower drains.
How to control them: Use enzyme cleaners and boiling water in drains weekly. Check under sink for leaks. Allow surfaces to dry fully after use.
Other Common Bathroom Bugs
In addition to flies, here are some other insects and arthropods that may appear in bathroom spaces:
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Cockroaches – Scavengers drawn to food particles, especially in damp places like underneath the sink.
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Ants – Forage for sugary and greasy residues around sinks, tubs and trash cans.
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Spiders – Hunt other insects attracted to bathrooms.
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Centipedes/Millipedes – Hide in dark, damp corners and eat shed skin and hairs.
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Silverfish – Eat book bindings, papers and cardboard in humid environments.
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Carpet Beetles – Feed on hair, skin flakes and natural fibers shed in bathrooms.
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Crickets – Attracted to warmth, moisture and small cracks to hide in.
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Earwigs – Hide in dark, damp crevices and feed on mold and organic matter.
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Pillbugs – Feed on bathroom mold and thrive in moist conditions.
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Termites – Damage wooden fixtures with excessive moisture.
How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Bathroom
Now that you know which bugs are likely culprits, here are some tips to keep them from invading your space:
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Fix any leaky plumbing – Don’t give pests an open invite with drips and leaks.
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Clean drains regularly – Use boiling water, vinegar, bleach or enzyme cleaners to remove sludge inside drains and pipes where bugs breed.
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Remove trash frequently – Don’t let crumbs and sticky spills turn into bug buffets.
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Seal cracks and crevices – Caulk and seal potential entry points around baseboards, vents, windows and fixtures.
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Improve ventilation – Run fans, open windows, and control humidity to eliminate condensation.
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Dry wet surfaces – Don’t give bugs moist areas to feed and reproduce in.
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Remove clutter – Organize cabinets and eliminte piles of linens and toiletries that bugs can hide in.
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Clean thoroughly – Sanitize surfaces and use disinfectants to destroy bugs as well as egg and larvae deposits.
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Use natural repellents – Essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree deter many bugs.
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Call a pest control professional – For severe infestations, it’s best to have an expert inspect, identify and treat bathroom pests.
Keeping your bathroom sparkling clean and moisture-free is key to making it far less hospitable to all those tiny unwelcome visitors. But if bugs do make themselves at home, using these tips to eliminate their food sources, breeding grounds and entry points will soon have them looking for somewhere else to go. Reclaim your sanctuary and relax in your bathroom once again!
How do I get rid of them?
Getting rid of drain flies is a two-part job. Spray any that you see with Six Feet Under. To kill those living in your drain, use this DIY formula: Mix ½ cup salt with ½ cup baking soda. Pour this solution into the drain. Fill a container with 1 cup of white vinegar. Pour into the drain. (As the vinegar mixes with the baking soda, it will begin to bubble and foam.) Allow this to sit as long as you are able, ideally for at least 12 hours. Pour hot water down the drain to swirl away any remaining fly larvae.
Getting rid of cockroaches is a six-step process. To do a thorough job, I recommend purchasing the Insect Buster.
Getting rid of gnats is relatively easy. Follow the guidelines in Why do I have Gnats in my Plants, including using the Insect Buster to spread Dust to Dust, a superb alternative to diatomaceous earth, on the top soil of your plants.
Dr. Killigans Dust to Dust Non-Toxic Insect Powder is a safer and more effective alternative to diatomaceous earth for insect control. Dust to Dust is proven to have kill times up to 50% faster than diatomaceous earth.
Getting rid of silverfish should not bear much difficulty. Use the Insect Buster, filled with Dust to Dust, in the area where you have seen silverfish activity. Also, use Six Feet Under, a non-toxic kill-on-contact spray, to kill one immediately.
How to identify Gnats
- Size: Fungus gnats are 3-6 mm, (which ranges from stack of a dime and a penny to a stack of two quarters and two dimes)
- Looks: Slender and delicate-looking with long wings and spindly legs
- Shape: Very thin, mosquito-like
- Flight: Weak fliers, appear to fly aimlessly
- Types: The three most common types of gnats that you’re likely to find in your home are fungus gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies (phorid flies)
Silverfish have metallic-colored scales and fish-like movements, hence their name. Their diet consists of virtually anything, but especially carbohydrates such as sugar, as well as carpet, clothing, coffee, hair, paper, (including book bindings), plaster, and photos. They tend to congregate near sinks, toilets, wet spaces, or spaces with paper. If you see a jumping bug in your bathtub, this is probably it.
YOU ASK. WE INVESTIGATE. Man finds bugs behind bathroom wall
FAQ
Why am I seeing bugs in my bathroom?
- Moisture: Bathrooms are typically more humid than other areas of the house due to showers, baths, and sinks.
- Food Sources: Bathrooms can have small food sources, such as hair, soap residue, and organic matter, which can attract certain bugs.
How to get rid of bathroom bugs?
Put a little baking soda and some vinegar in each drain, then cover for a few minutes. The reaction produces carbon dioxide and will suffocate the insects living in the drains.
What are the very tiny crawling bugs in my bathroom?
Those tiny creepy crawlers you see coming out of the drainpipe and gathering around the sink and tub drains are drain flies. Other names are drainage moths, filter flies, and sewage flies.
How do I get rid of shower mites?
Control Humidity: Use dehumidifiers to maintain optimal humidity levels in your home. This discourages mould mites from thriving. Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean and dry areas prone to dampness, such as the bathroom, basement, kitchen, and laundry room.
Are there small bugs in the bathroom?
Certainly, bathrooms can be a common place for small bugs to appear due to moisture and warmth. Here’s a list of Common Small Tiny Bugs in the Bathroom and How to Get Rid of Them with easy and effective solutions. 1. Silverfish Scientific Name: Lepisma saccharina Appearance: Small, silvery-gray insects with carrot-shaped bodies and long antennae.
How to identify bug species in bathrooms?
Correctly identifying bug species in bathrooms is the base condition to get rid of the pests. The following bug species might think of bathrooms more than simple places they pass through as they can settle, lay eggs, or hide in bathrooms. 1. Cockroaches – Flying Bugs in Bathrooms Cockroaches are some of the most common bugs found inside the house.
Are cockroaches a common bug in the bathroom?
Cockroaches are some of the most common bugs found inside the house. These bugs are moving along the house and they might be interested in nesting in your bathroom as it provides humidity, food, and shelter. German cockroaches are a common type of bug in the bathroom since they are mostly attracted to a combination of warmth and humidity.
How do Bugs get in a bathroom?
Hitchhiker – a bug can get dropped off in a bathroom if it falls off your clothing. Crumbs – if you tracked food debris into the washroom, you’ll likely attract bugs. Leaking pipes – some bugs find their way in because of water.
Are bed bugs common in bathrooms?
Bed bugs aren’t very common in bathrooms if they aren’t very common in the rest of the house. These bugs are famous for feeding on human blood so eliminating them from the bathroom and the house is important. Bed bugs are identified by their small size. They grow to a maximum size between 5 and 7mm.
Are bathroom bugs a health hazard?
Bathroom bugs, though often overlooked, can be a nuisance and a potential health hazard in our daily lives. From tiny mites to larger arachnids like spiders and scorpions, these pests find their way into bathrooms seeking shelter, moisture, and sometimes even prey.