If you are not an entomologist, there is no chance that seeing tiny black bugs in the bathroom can make you happy. In addition to the kitchen and attic, the pest infection most often occurs in the bathroom. The reason is plenty of moisture and water in this room.
Once the tiny black bugs get inside your bathroom, they move very fast and stay in large groups. The high humidity in the bathroom and the organic deposits in the pipes represent an ideal environment for them to live and reproduce undisturbed. Therefore, you need to find the most efficient way to get rid of them.
Specificities of Tiny Black Bugs in the Bathroom
Those tiny black bugs in the bathroom you can see coming out of the drain and gather around the sink are drain flies. Other names for them are drainage moths, filter flies, and sewage flies.
Unlike some other insects, black bugs won’t transmit infectious diseases or damage fabrics and wood in your home. However, they are incredibly annoying and disgusting. Plus, you should kill them since they may cause allergies or bite you.
Approximately 0.2 to 0.3 inches (0.5 to 0.8 cm) long body of a mature, adult bug is covered with long, gray hairs, with a long hairy antenna on the front.
You can mix them up for the moths since they are quite similar, and both of them fly in a disoriented, seemingly random path. When they stop at any surface, these bugs sit with wings on their bodies as a kind of shield.
Sometimes it can be challenging to spot these tiny black bugs in the bathroom without careful observation. When not in motion, they stay tight in the group and can look like a speck of dust or dirt from a distance. However, as soon as you move something nearby, you will scare them, which will result in a quick scattering of the crowd.
Since drainage and pipes walls in your house are greasy and lined with gelatinous waste, adult bugs will choose them for laying eggs. They need approximately 48 hours to develop at room temperature.
While they are in the larval stage, they can find enough food in such an environment, favorable for their development and growth for about 9 to 15 days. Be aware that the adults have a lifespan of two to three weeks. After that period, new bugs begin their life in your bathroom.
The Ideal Locations for Tiny Black Bugs in the Bathroom
Larvae live in the walls of the drain and feed on bacteria found there. Once they mature, you can expect them to invade your bathroom through drainage of bathtubs and sinks.
In fact, every dry tap and drain that you rarely use can be a way for these bugs to enter your space. Also, be careful what you keep around since adult beetles prefer sugars found in liquid debris.
You can spot bugs wherever the level of moisture is high, including sinks, bathtubs, toilets, drain, and sewers. They can also live in dirty trashcans and wet mops. Keep in mind that they reproduce in stale and dirty water, wet composites, and even air conditioners.
If you spot tiny black bugs in the bathroom, you can be sure that there is stagnant water somewhere. You will be surprised to see how small amounts it can be.
These creatures can find residual water inside the shower cabin, on the floor, under the washing machine, and near the drain. Believe it or not, they can use even drops of liquid in the tray of houseplants as an ideal base for further reproduction.
Ways to Get Rid of Tiny Black Bugs in the Bathroom
Although tiny black bugs in the bathroom are not harmful, you should decide who can live in your home. You can pick out one of a few efficient methods to get rid of these unwanted guests.
First of all, you should clean your bathroom thoroughly from floor to ceiling. Wipe all surfaces you can reach and scrub the drains well. Don’t forget to remove all the sediment existing there. For this purpose, use bacterial gels available in your local store.
Once you pour the gel into the drain, it will remove all the organic waste and build-ups of dead skin cells, hair, soap, and shampoo from the pipes. The great thing is that these agents won’t harm your plumbing, but they will help water to drain faster without staying at the bottom of the tub after you finish.
The next step is to wipe and disinfect the trashcan. Don’t forget to move it from the tiles and wipe off any remaining drops of water under and around it. Always try to empty it regularly and keep it dry.
It is recommended to turn off the water before starting washing the sink. Use a brush to clean the pipes, and be sure to open the P-trap under the sink to remove any remnants of the clog. Then, pour enzymatic cleaner to destroy bugs inside as well as larvae and eggs attached to the pipe walls.
To eliminate any remaining tiny black bugs in the bathroom, you can set them a trap. After mixing sugar, white vinegar, water and a few drops of liquid soap in a jar or smaller bowl, you should leave it next to the sink for a week until all the bugs leave your space. If they keep coming back, your last option is to call the pest control.
Ways to Prevent Black Bugs from Coming Back
Once you eliminate them, the bugs won’t return to your bathroom unless they have the required conditions to survive. So, if you deny them access to food, water, and adequate dirty space to breed, they will look for a new habitat.
Since moisture is one of the primary conditions these creatures need in the area where they live, a dry and clean bathroom will keep them far away from your home.
Also, get a moisture extractor and turn on ceiling vents while taking a shower. If you are a lucky one and your bathroom has a window, don’t forget to open it before you leave the room. That way, you will dry the space quickly and efficiently.
If you have done everything by the book, but you still have an issue with tiny black bugs in the bathroom, it often means that there is a plumbing problem. In such a case, you need professional help. Call a plumber as soon as possible to check all the pipes.
Keep in mind that the underlying problem is probably there for months before the black bugs appear. The sooner you get your pipes and drainage fixed, the safer your bathroom will be for your family to use it.
Once you clean your bathroom and disinfect it, you should try to keep it in that condition as long as possible. Don’t wait for the bugs to reappear to the clean space again. Regular hygiene not only deters all bugs but is also a healthier option for you and your family.
An excellent way to prevent the return of tiny black bugs in the bathroom is to seal the cracks around the walls and window frames. Also, always use a drain plug if you have a tub.
I like to boil a pot of water once or twice a week and pour it into the drain to keep it clean. In the end, if you have faucets that you don’t use regularly, try to let the water leak on them for a few minutes at least once a week.
Other Bugs You Can Find in Your Bathroom
Unfortunately, you can find some other types of insects besides tiny black bugs in the bathroom, such as:
- Cockroaches – These bugs are the most notorious creatures you can find in your bathroom. Since they need plenty of dirty water, you can get rid of them by cleaning the drain and pipes.
- Flies – They are not only annoying but can carry dangerous diseases, as well. Use fly traps and eco bug sprays to eliminate them or install a net on the bathroom window to prevent new ones from coming in.
- Booklice – These tiny bugs are not harmful, but they are common in bathrooms since they feed on mold. Use talcum powder or boric acid to eliminate them.
- Silverfish – These small creatures can trigger severe allergies in people. Since they love the highly humid environment with mold, you can kill them by cleaning the bathroom regularly.
- Fungus beetles – These bugs are mold eater, and they will infect the bathroom with a high level of moisture. As soon as you eliminate mold, they will go away.
Summary
It is never pleasant having unwanted insects in the bathroom, especially if you know that their presence indicates an issue with hygiene in your home.
Tiny black bugs in the bathroom don’t bite or transmit diseases, but the fact they are harmless doesn’t mean you want them living there.
Get rid of these creatures by cleaning the bathroom thoroughly and calling a plumber to check and solve the problem with a clogged drain and old pipes.
