Bugs are generally gross and scary, but even more so when taking a relaxing bath. They can also be signs of oncoming diseases and hence must be eliminated. But for that to happen, you need to identify them first. Below is the full guide to the tiny black, brown, and gray bugs that need your attention in the bathroom.
Summary
The most common tiny black, brown, and gray bugs in the bathroom are ants, cockroaches, and gnats. In this article, we’ll also go over the following:
- How to identify them
- How to get rid of them
Ants
Easily the most identifiable type of pest found in your bathroom and home. These can be black or red and around 5/8″ in size. If you’re spotting trails of them inside, it could be that the real nest is outdoors. Hence, killing them inside won’t do much.
They love humid places and moisture-filled wood. The dangerous thing about them is the bite that leads to itching and pain. Try herbal ant spray or ground pepper and turmeric to keep them away before they bite you in the shower.
| Ants | Characteristics |
| Species | 12,000 ant species |
| Size | 1.5 mm to 13 mm |
| Color | red, black, green |
| Antennas | No |
Psocid Mites
If you’ve seen lice, these are quite similar. The only difference lies in their transparent bodies. They thrive on mildew and love the kitchen and bathroom.
They don’t bite but sure can spread several types of bacterial diseases, especially if they start infesting food. Take precautions by:
- avoiding the spread of mildew and mold
- letting the sunshine in
- and keeping food hidden away.
Get some bathroom plants to absorb the moisture that will keep pests away. These include>
- azaleas
- aloe vera
- spider plants
- orchids
- and ferns.
Such plants will increase oxygen levels naturally, too!
Cockroaches
Easily the most annoying and terrifying pest out there. They can scare the living daylights out of someone if they fly. They prefer the optimum temperature of 70 degrees F. These are oval and brown and grow to be half an inch. You can spot their presence if you see black droppings resembling peppercorns.
You will likely spot them under the sink, near the sewer pipes, and inside sewers. The most common type is the German cockroach. Use food-safe repellants if you want them out of your kitchen, home, or commercial.
| Cockroaches | Characteristics |
| Species | 4500 cockroach species |
| Size | 1/2 – 2 inches |
| Color | reddish-brown to black |
| Antennas | Yes |
Earwigs
Although earwigs are normally spotted outdoors, you will spot them inside in bad weather. The absence of food might also lead them inside through cracks and holes in walls. Identify them through the black or red bodies that are 1 inch long. The long thin antennae are their giveaway.
Keep all cracks closed and holes filled up to avoid their movement inside. Humid places are great for them to lay eggs, so keep moisture away from plants and exhaust. Use dehumidifiers to keep moisture away.
Centipedes
We’re sure you’ve heard of these in your storybooks. The many-legged creatures that can crawl anywhere, with no-off limits. The dangerous thing about these seemingly cute creatures is that their bite contains a venom that can set off a range of reactions. These include:
- anaphylaxis
- neurotoxicity
- and more
Their bite is also very painful. If you experience one, ice it immediately and wash it with plenty of soap and water. Keep them away with an insecticide spray to protect your little ones.
Crickets
Here is a pest that announces its presence. Everyone is aware of the nuisance noise they create with their chirp. The chirping is a sign of the mating call that male crickets make to woo the female. But how can they be got rid of? Identify them first through bathroom bugs identification of their light yellow and brown body that has some marking on the head. They’ll grow to around 22mm, and you’ll hear them when the cold sets in at the end of summer.
They are also attracted to light, so keep lights off as much as possible in the washroom.
Drain flies
Just like how they sound, these are found in:
- bathroom sinks
- kitchen sinks
- and more.
Attracted to humidity, they will grow inside walls of pipes on the organic buildup. So the easy solution is to keep the drains clean with a drain cleaning solution. While they do not bite, spread diseases, or even sting, their decaying bodies can lead to allergic reactions. Septic tanks and under bathtubs are also areas to check and keep clear of their bodies after you have cleaned the drain.
You can also use home ingredients like apple vinegar and baking soda mixed with water to clean your drains to apply an organic approach.
Horseflies
Tiny bugs that jump – these gray beasts can be super dangerous once they enter your home. The size of the flies can go up to 30mm. Once they bite, they can quickly spread diseases too. The female horsefly is trained to bite since it needs blood to reproduce.
Hang bright clothes to keep them disinterested in your interiors. You can expect them near bodies of water like:
- streams
- marshes
- and rivers.
Mosquitos
Easily the most dangerous thing with wings out there in recent years. The diseases it spreads can even be fatal if not treated. Dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and malaria are top of the list. Any one of them can be enough to land you in the hospital with:
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- joint pain
- and more.
Moreover, it’ll take you weeks to get back on your feet.
The trick is to keep any standing water covered to avoid breeding. Any puddles should be swept up. They are also attracted to carbon dioxide, human breath, and light.
You can keep them away with plants like:
- marigolds
- lavender
- lemongrass
- rosemary
- and geraniums.
Silverfish
Here’s a more harmless type of bug with no wings and no threat of disease and bites but gross in general. They do, however, pose a threat to your:
- books
- toilet paper
- wallpaper
- and other similar items since they love cellulose.
Once they get in, you can find complete books and walls ruined. Borax or boric acid is a good way to keep them out. Sprinkle some powder wherever you notice them first, along cabinets, under appliances, in closets, and baseboards.
You can spot them with their silver body and carrot-like body shape.
Gnats
Another very common bug but with further classification. There are fruit flies, fungus gnats, and phorid flies. These are prevalent around leftover food, so they will accidentally enter the bathroom from the kitchen. Organic matter will attract them to drains and sewers. A washroom is attractive for them to lay eggs in since it provides the right amount of humidity and temperature.
Fungus gnats don’t bite or spread diseases, but if you’ve got a garden, their larvae can stunt the growth of your plants.
Use hydrogen peroxide in your soil to keep them away. Use four parts water with one part peroxide. Fruit flies or vinegar flies are brown bugs with wings that pester you in the kitchen.
The bacteria they carry can spread food poisoning if not exterminated. E.coli, salmonella, and listeria are some of the bacteria they carry. You can also set up indoor insect traps or use kitchen ingredients for home remedies.
Ghost ants
These are pale-colored ant-like creatures with dark heads. They tend to accumulate around leaky sinks and pipes. They won’t spread diseases, but their bite can be very painful. The annoying thing is their size. With 1.3-1.5mm in size, they’re even smaller than regular ants and are hard to observe.
They love moisture and sugar, so keep your food tightly packed and leaky fixtures fixed. Get an ant bait to eliminate these ghost ants once and for all! Put it all along the:
- baseboards
- cupboards
- and closets in the kitchen and toilet.
Keep it near your potted plants, too, since they are attracted to plants that produce honeydew. They might be crawling in through the window sills, so keep all cracks and holes sealed.
Bathroom mites
These white or tan bugs are specific to bathrooms because they are attracted to the mildew and mold that grows there. They can breed quickly and cause allergic reactions on the skin for some people. They are also called mold mites because they are microscopic bugs that you’ll only spot them when accumulated in large numbers near the mold.
Treat the mold first to get their nutrition source eliminated. Treat the mold with a cleaning agent, vinegar, or bleach. Remove humidity from the area with ventilation and dehumidifiers. The same procedure applies to fungus gnats.
How do I get rid of black bugs in my bathroom?
It depends on the type of bug it is. If you are referring to flies, you can get a bowl with equal parts:
- water
- vinegar
- and sugar.
Mix a few drops of liquid soap, stir, and keep in your bathroom or kitchen. The mixture attracts the flies, but the surface tension makes them drown. It’s great for gnats, drain flies, and fruit flies.
For other types of bugs, you can use bug spray that has natural scents so that all types of bugs are killed and also repelled. The absorption of moisture is also crucial to keep pests away as it creates an ambient temperature for them to breed. Keep indoor plants that absorb moisture and raise oxygen levels. Use bathroom mats and rugs to absorb moisture and provide regular ventilation.
Which plants keep insects away?
Many plants keep pests and insects away. The number one choice is marigolds for mosquitoes and aphids. Plant them outside your house and on window sills to avoid mosquitoes that come in during the evening. Basil is another plant that insects like moths, flies, and mosquitoes hate.
You can use them in cocktails, cooking, and even rubbing them on your skin to keep mosquitoes away. Lemongrass is a similar plant that is great for skin and insect repelling. Mint takes over your planting area quickly but is great for cooking and keeping mosquitoes away. The mosquito plant is a type of geranium that can be crushed to keep pests away for about 30 minutes.
All these plants have their refreshing scent in common and their use in teas and cooking. Thyme, lavender, and petunias are others that look beautiful while repelling pests.
