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The sight of bugs crawling on your bathroom floor or emerging from the drain can make any homeowner feel anxious. But there’s nothing unusual about bugs in the bathroom – in fact, it’s one of the most common places to find pests due to the prevalence of water. We often get calls about “tiny black bugs in my bathroom”, wanting to know if they should be concerned about these common bathroom pests or others.

Most likely, these little black bugs are drain flies. While not dangerous, they are unsanitary, and we recommend getting rid of them ASAP. The presence of drain flies can also lead to infestations of pests that prey on drain flies – like spiders. It’s also an indication that conditions are ripe for other types of pests to move in. So, let’s talk about common bathroom pests and what you should do about them.

Which Pests Are Common in Bathrooms?

Ants
Silverfish
Small beetles like drugstore beetle, carpet beetle, etc.
Earwig
Springtails
Spiders
Drain flies

What Are These Tiny Black Bugs on the Bathroom Floor?

Many bugs could be classified as tiny and black, including some species of ant that may be found in the bathroom. But if you’re seeing a pest in the bathroom and you’re not used to seeing it, there’s a good chance it’s a drain fly.

Drain fly adults are about ⅕” – ⅙” in length. They have long furry antennae at the top of their heads. They look like moths because of the gray hairs which cover their entire bodies. Drain flies are wobbly fliers; they may seem disoriented; and they keep their wings above their bodies as if they are shielding the bodies from something above.

Understanding the Drain Fly Life Cycle

Drain flies lay eggs inside drains. The eggs hatch within 32 – 48 hours. They grow rapidly, reaching adulthood in 9 -15 days. Throughout their life, drain flies feed on rotting organic matter inside drains. Adults live for a maximum of three weeks before they die off.

Why Are There Bugs in My Bathroom?

Pests have very simple needs, and choose their habitat based on access to three resources: food, shelter, and moisture. Along with the kitchen and basement, the bathroom is one of the most appealing rooms in the house for pests because there’s so much moisture.

Bathrooms are a haven for drain flies specifically because there’s water, they can live in the drains, and they feed on biofilm – a combination of dead body cells and other organic matter that forms a film that’s very difficult to remove.

Drain flies can arrive in your home through crevices, window screens, or drainpipes – really, any tiny space. Once they find an ideal habitat (your bathroom drain, for example) they will start laying eggs.

How to Prevent Common Pests in Your Bathroom

To prevent small black bugs or any type of pest in your bathroom, first and foremost, try to eliminate excess moisture and food sources. In practical terms, this means keeping it as clean and dry as possible.

Look for different places where there might be stagnant water like under pipes. If there is, dry it up and repair the pipe leak.
Dry off your shower or tub after bathing.
If you have plants in the bathroom, check them for pests. Consider moving them elsewhere. Check to make sure they’re receiving the right amount of water and not too much.
You also need to get rid of any accumulations of slime or debris inside the drains in your home. An anti-bacterial gel may be a better option for use rather than insecticides if you want to get rid of the drain flies inside the drains.This is because the gel will last longer on the walls of the drains without affecting how well water flows through those pipes. In contrast, the insecticide will only kill the drain flies it gets in contact with and the water flowing through the pipes will wash the chemical away before it has a chance to eliminate all the drain flies inside the drain. Look for bacterial gels formulated for use in drains. Such gels will be safe to use.
Modesto pest control companies also advise that you clean garbage bins regularly and do everything possible to keep them dry.
If you have ongoing issues, contact your friendly residential pest control experts at AAI Pest Control.

Residential Pest Control Experts in Modesto, CA

AAI Pest Control understands how frustrating it can be trying to have a few moments of peace to yourself in the bathroom only to be interrupted by pests. Whatever shape or size they are, remember that they’re there for three reasons – food, water, and shelter – and if you can remove those resources they’ll likely move on.

If you ever need help or have questions about pest control in the bathroom or anywhere else, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer free estimates over the phone.

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