It’s not uncommon to see creepy, crawly insects in the bathroom. While many people may find these creatures to be unsettling, it is important to remember that their presence is not always a sign of a dirty bathroom. The main reason is that bathroom bugs thrive in moist, damp, and humid environments, and bathrooms tick all those boxes. To effectively get rid of bugs, you must first get to know the pests that lurk in the bathroom.
Most Common Bathroom Insects
Here are the most common bathroom insects that lurk in the bathroom.
Silverfish
Silverfish are a type of wingless, elongated insect that can be found in many different environments, including bathrooms. They hang out in sewers and drains. They’re usually about 1/2 inch long and have a metallic silver appearance. They move like a fish, hence, the name.
Although they’re not considered dangerous, they can be a nuisance because they reproduce quickly and can cause damage to the materials they eat. Fortunately, they are not known to bite or sting humans and pets or cause diseases.
Silverfish love to eat items that contain carbohydrates like starch, cellulose, and glycogen. This means they will feast on toilet paper, wallpaper, glue, books, photos, fabrics, cloth, and fibers.
How to eliminate silverfish infestation:
As silverfish are moisture-seeking insects, they make their way to places where there’s moisture and high levels of humidity.
To help prevent silverfish from entering your bathroom, seal any cracks or crevices around your doors and windows and make sure your bathroom is clean and dry. You should also fix leaky pipes, shoddy plumbing, and water-damaged foundation. Cleaning clogged gutters and drains will also help.
If you do find a silverfish in your bathroom, you can kill it with a pesticide or trap it using a sticky trap. We also recommend using Dekko Silverfish Paks, which contain boric acid. Silverfish will be drawn to the packets and nibble on them instead of objects in your bathroom. You can place them in closets against the walls, in corners, undersink storage, behind furniture, etc.
Cockroaches
While most people would prefer not to think about cockroaches, the fact is that these insects can be found in some of the most unlikely places, including in the bathroom. Cockroaches make their way into your bathroom by crawling up drains and leaky pipes and sliding under doors or other openings just to get to their favorite food—drain sludge.
Cockroaches in the bathroom can present a number of problems, from contaminating food to spreading bacteria.
How to eliminate cockroach infestation:
If you’re dealing with a cockroach infestation, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. First, identify where the cockroaches are coming from. They could be living in your walls, in your attic, or in your basement. Once you’ve identified their hiding place, you can start to eliminate them.
One way to get rid of cockroaches is by using insecticide. You can buy an insecticide at your local hardware store, or you can make your own by mixing borax and sugar together. We recommend Combat Max roach killing bait.
Another way to get rid of cockroaches is by using a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners are effective because they suck up the cockroaches and their eggs.
If you have a lot of cockroaches, it might also be necessary to call an exterminator.
Centipedes
Centipedes are arthropods with a segmented body and one pair of legs per segment. They usually enter homes through cracks and crevices in the foundation or around doors and windows.
Once inside, they often make their way to bathrooms, where they seek out moist environments like shower stalls and toilet bowls. Centipedes feed on the spindly bugs that hang out in your bathroom, including roaches, silverfish, and termites.
How to eliminate centipede infestation:
While centipedes aren’t known to be dangerous or fatal, they can deliver a painful bite if provoked. If you encounter a centipede in your bathroom, the best thing to do is trap it under a cup or jar and release it outside.
You can also use household insecticides like Black Flag to kill centipedes. We recommend trapping centipedes with Catchmaster Centipede XL Giant Glue Board Trap.
Drain Flies
Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are a small and common fly that can be found near sources of moisture. They are often mistaken for mosquitoes, as they are similar in size and have a characteristic buzzing noise.
Just like other bathroom pests, drain flies breed in moist environments such as drains, compost piles, stagnant water, wet mops and buckets, and flower pots. They can be a nuisance to homeowners, as they can contaminate food and spread bacteria. The best way to get rid of drain flies is to eliminate their breeding grounds.
How to eliminate drain fly infestation:
Drain flies often re-infest quickly. While there are many chemical solutions available to eliminate drain flies, natural solutions also work. First, clean the drain and pipes. Use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. This mixture will create a fume that will kill the fly larvae.
Another natural solution is to use household bleach. It can be poured down the drains and will kill the fly larvae. If using bleach, make sure to wear gloves and safety goggles when handling this chemical.
We recommend Covington Drain Fly Repellent.
Psocid Mites
Psocid mites (also known as booklice) are tiny creatures that can be found in many areas of the home, including the bathroom. They often go unnoticed because of their small size and because they typically feed on organic material such as mold or mildew. Psocid mites can cause problems for people who are allergic to them, as they can trigger asthma attacks or other respiratory problems.
How to eliminate psocid infestation:
If you suspect you have a problem with psocid mites, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment to remove them from your bathroom. To get rid of them completely, take away their food by cleaning the infested area with borax.
We recommend Bayer’s Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide Dust. You can also use a bathroom dehumidifier to reduce the moisture. Turning the bathroom fan can also help to keep the bathroom dry.
If the infestation is really bad, call a pest control professional to help get rid of them.
