Common bugs in Bathrooms & How to Eradicate Them

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Common bugs in Bathrooms & How to Eradicate Them

Last Updated on July 17, 2020

For many people, a bathroom is a place of relaxation, a place where they can unwind after a long tiring day or get some private time away from family. However, when you start noticing bugs and creepy crawlies inside your bathroom, it can be very unsettling and might feel as if someone is invading your place.

If this scenario sounds familiar, then you have come to the right place. We understand that you want to know the reason why these unexpected guests show up in your bathroom and how you can get rid of them. Keeping that in mind, we at TastefulSpace have compiled a list of the most common bathroom bugs- what they are, why they are and what you can do to keep them under control. There are many reasons to clean a bathroom daily, but these bugs are definitely one of the main reasons

Cockroach

Of all the bugs, cockroaches are most commonly found and may be among the most infamous bugs. They are seen often in the kitchen as well as bathrooms. These notorious bugs are very resistant to many pest control methods and can even live without a head for months.

Why are they present in my bathroom?

Cockroaches live outside but generally come inside in search of food, water or shelter. They live in dark, moist and non-freezing areas including sewers and piping. Once cockroaches invade your house, you may see them in warm, moist places with food sources, such as drains or the bathroom. They are usually active at night as they hunt for water and food. Get a good service such as Turner Pest Jacksonville to get rid of these pests as soon as you are able.

What damage can they cause?

They are a vector to certain diseases. Their presence can make people sick and cause many problems like food poisoning, hepatitis to name a few. It can also cause asthma symptoms to worsen. They can also cause headaches because an infestation can be so difficult to control.

How to get rid of them?

Now that you know why roaches are attracted indoors, preventing cockroach infestation is very easy.  Bait insecticides, contact spray insecticides, and pesticide powders are effective at removing a roach infestation. You can also

•    Seal the cracks in your floor or walls

•    Repair all the plumbing leaks

•    Clean your drains regularly and cover them with stoppers to keep cockroaches out of your home

•    Keep your kitchen neat and clean and promptly dispose of the garbage

•    Do not leave the food open. Seal the leftover food and avoid leaving food or crumbs around your house

Water bugs

This species has wings but cannot fly. They have the same habits as their cousin, cockroach, but they dwell in water. They are reddish-brown and use their legs to paddle in the water. These water bugs may enter buildings through the plumbing pipes and emerge in the toilet, mostly when the toilet is rarely flushed.

Why are they present in my bathroom?

Just like cockroaches, they come inside looking for water, shelter or food. They like living in damp areas like sewers and basement toilets. But in winters, they migrate inside the household through plumbing pipes looking for warmth.  Once inside they will seek out water sources, which is why they are most commonly found in the bathroom.

What damage can they cause?

These creatures can spread disease. According to doctors, if you have water bugs in your bathroom, you are likely to go through problems like asthma and many other allergies.

How to get rid of them?

Extensive pest control is required to get rid of these pests as they could be entering your house from anywhere. Natural pest killers and synthetic killer treatments are also another practical way to kill these bugs. However, to make your bathroom less attractive to water bugs, you can

•    Remove leaking faucets and clogged wash basins

•    Flush the toilet from time to time to prevent water bugs from crawling up to your bathroom through the pipes

•    De-clutter your bathroom- don’t store unnecessary items, such as old newspaper, magazines, and paper bags

•    Carefully seal and store your food; don’t leave food out overnight

•    Put lids on recycling bins, and empty them at least once a week

Silverfish

As the name suggests, silverfish are of silver grey color, have three antennae like tails and have long elongated bodies. They don’t fly but they move very rapidly, like a fish in the water. As they are nocturnal, you cannot see them during the day.

Why are they in my bathroom?

Silverfish love damp conditions, so the bathroom is perfect for them. They live in the area with high humidity and can be found commonly around drains. So, if you spot one of these on your bathroom floor, it is a sign of water damage. When your bathroom areas began to rot, these little buggers exploit the entry point and enter your bathroom.

What damage can they do?

As unpleasant as they are, silverfish don’t generally harm. They do not transmit any disease but can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. They eat matter like glue, paper, sugar, hair, carpet, and dandruff. But if left untreated, they can damage items like wallpapers, book bindings, clothes etc.

How to get rid of them?

A holistic pest control treatment plan is what is needed to get rid of silverfish. Professionals can help you seal the entry point of silverfish.  If you want your home not to be a host to these bugs, you can

•    Make sure that you don’t leave wet towels or clothing on the floor

•    When you take a shower, make sure to switch on the fan in the bathroom

•    Installing a dehumidifier in your basement can take care of the humidity

•    Seal your cracks in the wall as it is their hiding place

•    Also, give a solution of bleach and water a try to help you eliminate the silverfish problem

Drain Flies

Drain flies are commonly seen around the sinks of both the bathroom and kitchen. They end up there because drain fly lays eggs in a damp area. They are tiny, furry looking dark flies.

Why are they in my bathroom?

These flies like other insects tend to habitat in damp conditions. If you have 2-3 mm flies in your bathroom, it is a sign of water leakage. These are found mostly under the sinks and in baths.

What damage can they do?

Although they have a very short lifespan, they multiply rapidly. Hundreds of bacteria are connected with flies. These bacteria can cause diseases like enteric fever, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, conjunctivitis, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, etc.

How to get rid of them?

When fighting with these bugs, first it is important to destroy its breeding ground. When you do that, they stop reproducing. Then the next step is to clean the drains thoroughly and fix all leaks. You can get in touch with professionals to help you get rid of the drain flies. Also, methods like fumigation and disinfestations can take care of such problems.

As they say, precaution is better than cure. So, the most common precautions that you should take are:

•    Clean your drain pipes once a week

•    Dumping half cup salt, half cup baking soda and one cup vinegar down the drain can also kill these little monsters

•    Ensure that you keep water tanks closed and don’t leave water in them for long

Mold mites

Mostly everyone is familiar with these tiny creatures called mold mites. They tend to grow on mold, fungus, food, plants, and areas of high humidity and moisture. Mold mites are wingless, smooth, teeny tiny white or tan colored bugs that feed on mold. Like cockroaches, these bugs also reproduce quickly.

Why are they in my bathroom?

Mold mites feed on mold. So, if there is a water leakage in your home which is causing excess moisture, it leads to mold, which in turn leads to mold mites. These tiny pests can appear on anything and everything that doesn’t get completely dry.

What damage can they cause?

Mold mites have long hair that can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Some people get mold spores bites when they are in contact with a mold mite. They are also capable of infecting your air. The mold can result in coughing, throat irritation, and nasal stuffiness. For people suffering from chronic lung illness, mold can worsen their condition; also, they produce mycotoxin which is linked to severe and fatal diseases.

How to get rid of them?

The mold source needs to be found and removed to get rid of the mites. Once mold mites are removed, you need to keep moisture under control to prevent their return. This can be done simply by

•    Using a dehumidifier in your bathroom

•    Use real chemicals to deep clean the bathroom completely

•    Throw away dead plants and flowers

•    Keep fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator

•    Make sure your ac isn’t adding extra moisture in your house

•    Call up professionals if none of these techniques works

House Centipede

Centipedes are usually brownish, long skitter animals that live inside our homes. You must have seen them climbing out of your bathroom drains and tubs. These species have between 15-191 legs. However, they do tend to sometimes pop up in your shower. They enter our homes through cracks and openings, but once they enter they lay eggs and create an infestation.

Why are they in my bathroom?

Centipedes usually live outdoors in damp areas such as under leaves, stones, boards or tree bark.  However, they can’t survive in the cold, so they move inside homes to avoid winter weather. These pests cannot retain moisture, leading them to hang out in moist basements and other undisturbed areas. But they end up in the bathroom as that is the most common moist spot they can find.

What damage can they cause?

House centipedes look a lot more dangerous than they are, so it is safe to say that they are not harmful. Although, few larger species of centipedes can bite people it is not usually a medical concern. The bite may cause some pain, swelling, and numbness.

Centipedes are nocturnal hunters and also act as a natural pest control problem as they feed on termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, spiders and bed bugs.

How to get rid of them?

Professional pest control can help you treat your home to get rid of the centipedes that are already there. You will have to take precautions to prevent future infestations. Some of them are:

•    Seal cracks around windows and doors

•    Clean drains regularly and de-clutter the space under sinks to further deter the pests.

•    Vacuum the remote areas of your bathrooms, including the insides of cabinets, behind drawers and under shelves.

•    Keep your bathroom as dry as possible.

Now that you are well aware of how and why these pests show up in your bathroom, next time when you see one of these invaders, do not worry. You know what you have to do to reduce the conditions that attract these little monsters to your bathroom.