Tiny Black Bugs In Bathroom
Are you noticing tiny black bugs in your bathroom? Well, you’re not alone! A lot of people deal with the same issue. When nothing seems to work for these annoying bugs, try the following solutions. Surprisingly, some home remedies work even have an instant effect.
Tiny black bugs in bathrooms are called drain flies, sewer flies, or drain moths. They aren’t harmful, but they are very annoying and persistent. Drain flies don’t transfer diseases or bite, but you should get rid of them and have your bathroom only for yourself.
Drain flies are the most common insects, but you might have an issue with booklice or earwigs as well. Keep reading to learn how to identify insects in your bathroom and eliminate them!
Sometimes, even premium hotels deal with these persistent creatures. But, luckily there are things to do to keep them from invading your bathroom!
How To Eliminate Tiny Black Bugs In Bathroom?
Even new homes and freshly remodeled bathrooms can be invaded with tiny black bugs. There are several types of these bags that most commonly appear in bathrooms.
Check the table to see the characteristics of the three most common bugs you can find in the bathroom and great ways to eliminate them.
| Bug Type | Appearance | Locations | Ways to Kill Them | Harmful |
| Drain flies | Black, 5 mm long, fuzzy body, small semi-opaque wings | In the sink or bathtub | Regular cleaning, enzyme cleaners, dehumidifier, vinegar, soap and sugar mixture | No |
| Booklice | Various colors, from grey to black, 2 mm maximum length, wingless, four legs | Near windows, in damp areas, tight spaces | Regular cleaning, dehumidifier, vinegar, soap and sugar mixture, mold-removing products | No |
| Earwigs | Black, 5 mm long with pincers on one side | Dark, damp and moist areas, behind or under the sink, tub or other items in the bathroom | Boric acid, vinegar, soap and sugar mixture, soap and water | No |
What Are Tiny Black Bugs In Your Bathroom?
Bathrooms are prone to bugs and mold and mildew more than any other room in your home, except for the basement. It is because the humidity is high in the bathroom, some places stay wet and dirty no matter how good you are at cleaning. Therefore, don’t be surprised if nasty bugs invade your bathrooms.
There are three most common bug types you can find in bathrooms. Let’s go briefly through each type so you can identify the bugs and choose the right treatment.
Drain Flies
The scientific name for drain flies is Psychodidae. But, most people know them by their common names:
- Drain flies
- Sink flies
- Sewer flies or gnats
- Filter flies
They are, as the name suggests, a type of true flies. They thrive in hot and humid conditions, like those in your bathroom. Scientists have discovered more than 2.600 species of these flies, but most of them are harmless.
Several species that are native to tropical areas might feed on blood, but you won’t find those in your bathroom.
Clogmia albipunctata is the name of the flies that live in your bathroom. However, drain flies are persistent and annoying, especially if there isn’t a day when you don’t see one of these tiny black bugs in your bathroom!
Appearance
Sink flies are small and black. Their maximum length is around 5 mm, but more commonly they are smaller. If you look closely at the fly, you notice a fuzzy body and small wings. When they are not flying, these bugs form a unique shape with their semi-transparent wings forming a roof over the body.
Most Common Locations
The sewer flies love places around drains. It includes a drain hole in your sink, bathtub, kitchen, floor drain, etc. They feed on organic matter that is left in the drain and pipes.
You don’t have enzyme pipe cleaner? No problem – discover the easy fix that will help you get rid of drain flies.
Booklice
The second most common insects you can find in the bathroom are booklice or psodics. These bugs don’t bite and aren’t harmful to pets. But, booklice are a safe sign that you have moisture issues in your bathroom.
When they appear in kitchen pantries, they indicate that the food is spoiled.
Appearance
Booklice are tiny, only 1 to 2 mm in length. They come in different colors, but most commonly they are black or gray. Booklice don’t have wings, and they have four tiny legs.
Even though their anatomy suggests a possibility to jump because of the thick back legs, booklice don’t jump. Instead, they move very quickly and often can look like tiny and fast black dots on your bathroom walls.
These insects feed on fungi, lichen, and algae, sometimes organic compounds, book bindings, and glue.
Most Common Locations
Psocids live in damp and moldy areas, behind wallpapers and potted plants. These insects also appear around old books, near windows, and anywhere, where there is increased moisture in crawl spaces.
Earwigs
The third type of bugs you can find in your bathroom are earwigs, or scientifically, Forficula auricularia. Similar to psocids, these insects indicate that you have a moisture problem. They invade wet and humid places, including laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, wet garages, etc.
Appearance
Earwigs are about the size of sewer flies – around 5 mm. They are slim and have a shiny brown look. You can easily identify them by their pincers on the back.
Because they have pincers that may look scary, earwigs are unwanted guests in your bathroom. But, earwigs aren’t completely harmful. These bugs don’t have venom, and they don’t use pincers to sting. Instead, they use it to grasp something.
Most Common Locations
Earwigs usually appear behind the toilet, under the sink in the bathroom cabinets, etc. Earwigs prefer moist, cool, and darker locations without a lot of foot traffic and disturbance. If you keep plants in your bathroom, you might notice earwigs behind the plants.
How Do Bugs Appear in the Bathroom?
You probably wonder how these bugs come to your bathroom. The safest conclusion is that the bugs’ infestation in the bathroom probably comes from the outside, through a window or bathroom door.
You won’t notice an infestation until things get out of control and the bugs start multiplying fast. Some of the bathroom bugs, such as earwigs, might be brought on damp items from the outside. Insects are brought to your bathroom on your shoes or through tiny cracks in the floor or walls.
When Can You Expect The Largest Number of Bugs In Your Bathroom?
Bugs can appear anytime, but they are at their peak in spring and summer. However, if you notice drain flies during the winter, they probably survived through seasons in your warm and humid bathroom.
How to Destroy Tiny Black Bugs in the Bathroom?
Even though most of the bugs you can find in your bathroom are harmless and cannot cause damage to your health or bathroom, you shouldn’t leave them lingering around your bathroom.
There are several things you can try to get rid of tiny black bugs in your bathroom.
Regular Cleaning
As most of the bugs feed on organic waste, regular cleaning is essential to keep the bugs away from your bathroom. Turn the water off when you clean sinks and pipes.
But, don’t forget to clean the pipes as well. Some bathroom bugs lay their eggs and larvae in the pipes, so using an enzymatic drain cleaner is beneficial. Consider Earthworm Drain Cleaner as a natural way to keep your pipes clean.
Watch this video to know more:
Create a Trap
Using a trap is by far the most effective way to remove tiny black bugs in your bathroom. The process is completely natural and can take a week to start working.
Here is what to prepare:
- Liquid soap
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Small jar
Step 1: Mix all ingredients in one small jar. If you have bugs appearing in two or more different locations in your bathroom, prepare several jars.
Step 2: Find locations for the jar as close as possible to the sink. You can even keep the jar in a bathtub or sink when you aren’t using it.
Step 3: Keep the jar open for a week or two and the combination of smells should repeal the bugs and prevent them from coming back.
Use Boric Acid
Boric acid is one of the most effective ways to kill earwigs. You don’t have to buy expensive commercial pest-killing products because boric acid will act as a natural insecticide. It kills bugs on contact!
You can get boric acid powder online or in any large hardware store.
But, when working with boric acid, be careful. Keep it away from children and animals.
Things to prepare:
- Boric acid
- Plastic spoon
Step 1: Use a plastic spoon to disperse boric acid powders in areas where you usually notice earwigs. Pay special attention to tight and damp areas and moldy corners.
Step 2: Leave the powder to work for a couple of days. Regularly vacuum dead earwigs and add more boric acid powder.
Step 3: After a couple of days vacuum all leftover boric acid powder and inspect the area for earwigs. Repeat the process if you notice more live earwigs in the bathroom.
Earwigs Trap
If you cannot find boric acid powder in your local hardware store, you can make a simple trap using things you have at home.
Things to prepare:
- Warm water
- Liquid soap
- Lamp
Step 1: Mix water and liquid soap until you get heavy foam.
Step 2: Put the bucket in the moist corner and install a lamp near it. Turn the lamp on and have the light directed in the bucket. Keep the light over the night.
Step 3: Earwigs will be attracted to the light, and they will come and drown in the bucket.
Clean the Mold
Booklice may feed on mold in your bathroom. If you want to get rid of booklice, clean your bathroom thoroughly. Reach tight areas and use appropriate mold cleaners. Also, vacuum the booklice you notice around the wall and in corners.
To keep the bathroom a hostile environment for booklice to return, use a dehumidifier. It will help control the humidity in your bathroom so booklice won’t appear.
How to Prevent Repeated Infestations of Tiny Black Bugs?
You got rid of tiny black bugs in your bathroom! Congratulations. But, you should apply some of the following things to ensure the bugs don’t come back.
Fill In The Cracks In The Door or Walls
Inspect the areas around your windows and walls and fill in all cracks you find, even the tiniest ones. If you have damaged screening on the window, replace the entire screening to prevent insects from flying into your bathroom.
Practise Regular Cleaning Routine
Regular cleaning routine in your bathroom lowers the risk of repeated infestation. Clean sinks and pipes regularly, don’t let water sit down, and pay attention to tight areas.
Use a Dehumidifier
Most of the bugs you can find in the bathroom are attracted to increased humidity. The only way to deal with excess humidity is to use a dehumidifier. There are some excellent products on the market, designed specifically for bathrooms.
Ensure you choose an energy-efficient, low-maintenance device for the best results. For example, the Tosot 20-pint dehumidifier will work great in most standard bathrooms.
Don’t Forget The Trash Bin
Whenever you clean your bathroom, clean and disinfect the bin as well. Don’t let the trash pile up in the bin because it makes a perfect place for the bugs to appear.
Skip a couple of minutes of the video and find the effective DIY solution for bathroom bugs.
Keep The Rest of The Home Clean And Dry
If your entire home is prone to mold and mildew due to high humidity, consider using a dehumidifier in every room. Pay close attention to damp corners and hygiene. For example, the infestation can start in the kitchen, and spread through the entire home.
Keep Your Bathroom Private
Tiny black bugs you notice in the bathroom cannot bite you or transfer a nasty disease. But, these bugs indicate that you have certain issues with humidity in bathrooms or your pipes are too dirty.
Even though high humidity isn’t harmful, mold that appears in areas with high humidity is surely harmful and can trigger allergies. Therefore, get rid of bugs, reduce humidity in the bathrooms and clean it regularly. That is the only way to ensure you’ve got the bathroom for yourself!
If nothing works, call professionals for help.
Do the bugs in your bathroom match the description of booklice, earwigs, and drain flies? If not, please share your issue, I am here to help!
References:
- 5 Common Bathroom Insects You May Come Across. Fantastic Services. https://blog.fantasticservices.com/common-bathroom-insects/.
- Black stuff growing on the walls? What to do about mold in your bathroom. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/health/bathroom-mold-thrives-dark-damp-areas-how-stop-it-t167240.
- Heaney K. How Do I Know If My Shower Mold Is the Bad Kind?. The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/2018/11/is-the-mold-in-my-shower-dangerous.html.