The fact that you can be alone in peace in the bathroom makes it your haven. Also, hygiene activities, including bathing, brushing teeth, peeing, and other activities, occur in the bathroom. The bathroom, however, is one of the most pest-infested areas of the house, as it can attract pests in different ways.
Whether we’re talking about silverfish, cockroaches, flies, or other tiny pests, it’s not unusual to discover one or more of these critters hiding in your bathroom.
They may not have caught your attention, but that doesn’t imply they don’t exist. But don’t worry; we’re here to identify the most common bathroom bugs you’re battling and advise you on how to deal with them.
What Are the Common Pests Found in the Bathroom?
Identify the usual culprits and gather them. After all, the first crucial step to effectively eliminating the invaders from your home is identifying them.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches prefer two things above all others: food and moisture. As a result, the kitchen and the bathroom, two areas of the house that offer both, are where a cockroach infestation is most likely to occur.
Cockroaches are frequently found in bathrooms, and one of the best ways to deal with them is to check for leaks in your faucets and fix any that are causing your bathroom to be perpetually moist and humid. They can also reproduce under ideal conditions in humid spaces. All the water they will ever need is nearby, and it is warm.
Plus, they can access both the bathroom and the rest of the house through drains. Therefore, bear in mind not to leave the drain open (if at all possible) and to keep an eye out for any cabinets, nooks, or crevices that could serve as hiding places for this pest.
Silverfish
Paper and humidity make the ideal environment for silverfish to flourish. Usually, there is a plentiful supply of both in your bathroom. It indicates that silverfish are likely to be present in this space at any given time.
The flat silver bug is easily identifiable but could be difficult to see because it is not particularly big. If you decide to trap or kill one of them, its rapid movement could also be an issue.
The silver bug, like cockroaches, prefers to breed in dim, moist areas that are typically out of the way. Your home is probably infested if you frequently see a silverfish in the bathroom or if there is apparent paper damage.
Centipedes
The liking of dampness is a trait shared by centipedes and many other bathroom pests. Once inside your house, the centipede typically makes its way to the basement or the bathroom. It will thrive and reproduce in a home environment with a lot of moisture but little light.
One of the centipede’s most distinctive characteristics is its many legs. Being a nocturnal myriapod, it could be challenging to see these little pests and determine whether your home is infested.
Although centipedes can sting, most of the time, their poison does not hurt humans. However, the sting of some species may result in some issues.
Drain Flies
As their name suggests, drain flies live and reproduce in drains. They are unaffected by the muck and bacteria that are present there. Instead, they benefit from it. Anything that humans would typically see as posing a risk to our health is ideal for them. Drain flies also love contaminated soil.
However, drain flies are sometimes mistaken for fruit flies, which are known to breed in restrooms. The tiny flying insects known as drain flies have dark, “furry” bodies. On the other hand, the fruit fly is pale in colour, and some species even have recognisable red eyes.
Spiders
Unlike roaches and insects, spiders rarely want to be in your bathroom. If you discover one (or more) there, it was probably due to an accident that left them stranded. They are castaways hidden in the corners of your bathroom, most likely attempting to flee.
The dampness is not as crucial to spiders as other insects. Their spider habits require hunting, and they hardly ever rely on their surroundings for food. You can rest easy knowing that spiders are not emerging from your drains.
Mould Mites
Leaving your bathroom filthy can invite pests into your home. Mould mites are among the typical bathroom pests you’ll run into, and you’ll notice them if there are mildews and moulds. Mould mites will enter your bathroom to eat any existing moulds and mildew, as implied by the pest’s name.
Due to their small size, you may have trouble recognising them, but they are tan or white in colour and feed on mould.
Mould mites should be removed as soon as possible since, if preventive steps are not taken, you will continue to find them because they can reproduce as quickly as cockroaches. Additionally, getting rid of them is essential since the pest can cause allergic reactions.
To keep pests out, you must prevent mould from growing in your bathroom and throughout your home. If mould is already present, you must identify the cause to eradicate it. In order to stop mould from growing, you should practise keeping your bathroom dry and tidy.
By doing this, you can prevent the infestation of mould mites. Ensure the moisture in your bathroom is controlled to avoid mould regrowth and mould mites.
How to Deal With Bathroom Pests?
There is no need to be concerned, regardless of the kind of pest you have found in the bath or how unpleasant it may seem to deal with it. You can reduce the likelihood of seeing bathroom pests again by using some of the following straightforward methods below:
Assess Your Bathroom for Leaks
Despite how strange it may sound, leaks are one of the leading causes of pest infestations in homes. All types of unwelcome crawling visitors have easy access to water when there is a leak.
Anything that enjoys moisture, such as centipedes and the like, will find a way to access it, even cockroaches. So make sure to check for leaks in your bathroom and fix them as soon as you find them.
Regularly Clean up the Sludge From Your Drain
There are gobs of residue in every bathroom. There are always harmful things building up in and around the drain, whether it be soap, dirt, or anything else. And unavoidably, pests will be drawn to it.
The sink and the shower are the additional bathroom fixtures that are most at risk, in addition to the drain. Regularly cleaning every inch of the space will solve the problem by removing soap scum and other filth.
Install a Dehumidifier in the Bathroom
Too much humidity can be harmful since it draws the majority of pests, as we have stated numerous times. It must therefore be as limited as possible. Naturally, one of the most excellent remedies to the issue is strategically positioning a dehumidifier. These gadgets can effectively lower the humidity in your bathroom and anywhere else in the house, making the atmosphere much less welcoming for pests.
In order to prevent moisture from building up inside your bathroom after usage, it will also help if you let it dry naturally. You can leave a window or a door open to allow any steam to escape. Even if you don’t currently have a pest issue, doing this will help you avoid having one later.
Cover Any Potential Entrance Points
Safeguard your bathroom from pesky pests by targeting their favourite hiding spots: drains and crevices. Limit the use of drains for showering or cleaning, minimising access for these unwanted visitors. Consider covering it up, particularly during nighttime when pests are most active. These simple measures allow you to address the issue and ensure a pest-free bathroom environment easily.
Ensure that there are no cabinet gaps or tile cracks so that pests have nowhere to hide. Regularly inspect your bathroom, as constant use will leave its mark on your bathroom.
Clean Your Bathroom
Cleaning helps to get rid of potential pest attractants. Do monthly deep cleaning to keep the place clean and safe from bathroom pests and prevent emerging infestations. Remember to maintain frequent cleaning to avoid the presence of pests after you leave the restroom.
Hire A Professional
Naturally, DIY pest control is never enough. If you have tried everything, but nothing is working, a Melbourne pest control expert from Pest Police can assist in carrying on the fight against bathroom pests.
Our professionals are well-rounded and aware of pest behaviours, so we know what to do while dealing with pests. An expert also knows where to check for pests.
If you’ve looked everywhere in your bathroom but still can’t find the pest, our professionals will do it for you. Your bathroom or property is in excellent hands with us, and you can be sure there won’t be a pest infestation because we start applying remedies as soon as we discover you have pests in your home.
A privately owned independent pest control company serving clients in Melbourne, Pest Police has been trusted by thousands of happy clients for timely, quality service. Call us at 1800 737 876 or complete our detailed booking form to book an inspection.