I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been in the bathroom and witnessed the unfortunate event of seeing a bug. Whether it’s a spider creeping along the shower wall, or a roach scampering underneath the sink, it’s never a pleasant ordeal.
Bugs love to make themselves welcome at our home uninvited. But it’s a fact of life in every household. Bugs are going to find their way in. And in my opinion, the kitchen and the bathroom are probably the worst places to find them.
So, how can you stop bugs from getting into your bathroom?
You can stop bugs from getting into your bathroom by keeping it clean, sealing up any cracks, and stopping moisture in its tracks.
Read on to find out what you can do to stop bugs from getting into your bathroom with these tried and true tips. Whether you have spiders, cockroaches, flies, or some other undesirables, don’t fret. We’ve got you covered with these methods.
Why Are Bugs So Attracted to the Bathroom?
The number one reason that bugs are so attracted to the bathroom is moisture. They love it and are attracted to any area in your home it may be. This is why folks in the deep south, where humidity levels are high, tend to see more bugs in their homes.
While we may be disgusted about sharing our space with insects, they certainly don’t show any concerns about it.
Insects love organic matter that grows in humid areas. In the bathroom, water is always being splashed on the floors and sinks (especially if you have small children), leading to the build-up of condensation that can quickly lead to mold.
If your bathroom is poorly ventilated, water and soap residue are more likely to stick to surfaces, which is even more of an invitation for bugs.
How Do I Know What Bugs I Am Dealing With?
Insects tend to live on the premise that the more, the merrier, meaning that you are very likely to see different species of bugs in your bathroom. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.
Drain Flies
Your sink and shower drain is just one of the places these pesky bugs come from, and they can also sneak through windows and cracks in the wall.
Drain flies are small, black bug with wings that you will usually see hanging around drains in tubs and sinks. When these guys show up, it can indicate that you may have a plumbing or drain issue.
Once they make their way inside, drain flies can appear in abundant numbers. Like most bugs, they love organic matter, especially matter in the later stages of decay.
This matter is commonly found on the insides of your drain pipes and finds its way there from your street’s main sewer. Drain flies also like to breed on the interior walls of drains with a build-up of organic matter.
Cockroaches
A cockroach problem does not always mean that your home is dirty; in many cases, roaches appear in homes that are kept clean. You will often see them in your bathroom because they love those moist and dark pipes.
Apartment buildings are notorious for having roaches as they not only find their way in through drain pipes but from boxes that are carried in from other places, which is common with residents moving in and out.
Apartments also give roaches the ability to move from unit to unit, and they can easily travel through small cracks in the wall, vents, under doors, and electrical units.
Single homes are not exempt from roaches either, as they enter to seek out warmth in the colder seasons.
Like apartments, they can sneak in through small cracks or hitch rides on any bags or boxes you bring into your home. They also love to come up through those drainpipes, especially after heavy rain.
Roaches are particularly fond of sludge that builds up in sewers and can easily find their way into the pipes in your bathroom. They also love toothpaste, giving them an even bigger incentive to visit.
Silverfish
Many folks think that silverfish live in sink drains, but this isn’t true. However, they love warmth and moisture, especially in dark places with high humidity. The bathroom with a steamy shower is the perfect environment.
But because silverfish can’t climb on smooth vertical surfaces, they are usually gathered in sinks or tubs. Like roaches, silverfish can enter homes through cracks in the wall or on boxes or bags brought in by the homeowner.
Spiders
You don’t need to panic if you find spiders in your bathroom, whether they are hanging around your bathtub or hiding in your bathroom closet.
Spiders love the bathroom because they have access to water. Spiders need water to survive, and your bathroom and kitchen have plenty. Especially in dry climates or in the winter when the humidity is at its lowest.
Spiders may often be trying to get a drink and cannot climb out of your sink or bathtub. Because spiders are predators, they set up shop wherever bugs are aplenty.
And your bathroom is one of those places. So while it’s easy to think of spiders as the enemy, they are actually doing you a favor.
Their elaborate webs are excellent weapons of destruction for the other bugs you may find in your bathroom.
Keeping Bugs Out of Your Bathroom
We’ve already established that no one wants insects in their bathroom. So if you have noticed that your bathroom is suddenly the Ritz Carlton for bugs, you can rest assured that they don’t have to be permanent guests.
Here are some surefire methods to help combat the bug problem in your bathroom.
- Keep it Clean
- Keep it Dry
- Seal Cracks
- Make Bug Repellent
- Use Boiling Water
- Upgrade Fixtures
- Call a Professional
Make Cleanliness a Priority
Not only in your bathroom but in every room in your house, cleanliness should be your main priority. Bugs love the moist atmosphere of your bathroom, especially if it’s not well-ventilated.
But bugs will find the conditions less favorable if you stay on top of cleaning. A deep clean once a week in your bathroom can work wonders.
To keep bugs from settling in the drains, mix half a cup of baking soda and salt, pour it down the drain and then pour a cup of white vinegar over it
Wash your shower curtains, as well as the liners. Clean your toilets regularly because urine and feces can serve as food for some insects.
Keep your bathroom cabinets tidy and organized because a cluttered cupboard is a great hiding spot for those invaders.
Keep Your Bathroom Dry
In addition to keeping it clean, do everything you can to keep your bathroom dry. Wipe counters with a clean, dry cloth to stay on top of water build-up. Keep floors dry by changing bathmats regularly and making sure water is soaked up.
Seal Bracks and Openings
By sealing any cracks in and around walls, you are making it harder for bugs to emerge. Cracks that are near the ceiling and floor are especially important. Also, make sure your window screens don’t have holes in them.
Replacing broken tiles on the walls or the floor helps to keep moisture out as well. It also destroys any hiding places where bugs may be making themselves at home.
Make a Natural Bug Repellant
Natural repellants can work very well and are less harmful to you and your family. Mix equal parts of water, sugar, and white vinegar in a large bowl. Add 5-10 drops of dish soap.
Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain
While it may be a little tedious, pouring boiling water down your sink and tub drains daily can decrease the number of drain flies that may be hanging out in them. Just be careful not to burn yourself.
Consider Upgrading Old Fixtures
Not only is upgrading bathroom fixtures aesthetically appealing, but it can help prevent insects. Leaking pipes and sink fixtures are an open invitation for bugs.
Call in a Professional
Sometimes, no matter what you do, the problem with bugs in your bathroom is beyond your control. If this is the case, it’s probably time to call a professional.
Bug infestations can be a serious threat not only to the structure of your home but to you as well. The last thing you want is your family or pets getting sick from insects.
Cockroaches are notorious for spreading disease and carry over 30 kinds of bacteria. They can also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
Some species of spiders can be poisonous and cause serious health problems.
While the bite of the black widow is usually not fatal, they are extremely painful. Muscle cramps and shooting pain can set in pretty quickly.
The brown recluse spider bite can be very serious as it causes convulsions, fever, nausea, severe itching, and muscle pain. In some cases, the wound site can lead to necrosis of the skin.
Conclusion
Just because you have bugs in your bathroom does not mean it’s the end of the world. It is usually an easy fix with the above-mentioned tips.
Alright, that’s it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads:
How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Shed – 10 Proven WaysHow to Keep Bugs out of Your Sandbox
How to Keep Bugs out of Your Raised Garden
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