Bugs Most Commonly Found Crawling in Phoenix Bathrooms

Published On: April 2, 2018
Updated On: March 22, 2023

The bathroom is where we’re our most vulnerable, literally. Whether bathing, showering, or using the restroom, the last thing you want is to see a bug scurry across the bare floor.

Unfortunately, the bathroom tends to be a hot spot for insect activity due to humidity levels and entry points like drains and shower windows. In this blog, we’ll look at the eight most common bathroom pests:

• Pharaoh Ants
• Pavement Ants
• Black Widow Spiders
• Brown Recluse Spiders
• German Cockroaches
• Mosquitos
• Silverfish
• Termites

1. The Pharaoh Ant

How appropriate that an insect named after royalty would be found wandering your porcelain palace. Pharaoh ants measure approximately 1/16 of an inch and range in color from dull yellow to a reddish brown. 

These pests thrive in humid environments, which is why you can typically spot them in moisture-rich areas like your bathroom. Pharaoh ants can also be found in the kitchen and laundry room, where there tends to be more humidity. Because they can mate year-round in their nests, it’s important to take action after spotting them in your home.

2. The Pavement Ant

Pavement ants are similar to Pharaoh ants in both size and color, having a reddish brown body that’s typically 1/4 -2 inches in length. The Pavement ant enjoys humid areas like its relative, the Pharaoh ant. Therefore, Pavement ants are the usual culprits of a bathroom infestation.

Because their main motivator is food, clearing away crumbs and any other accessible food sources is the best way to deter them. While the bathroom isn’t likely to offer food sources, pavement ants may use any access points to enter into your home and to nest.

3. The Black Widow Spider

Black Widow spiders are easily spotted by their unique coloring. Only half of an inch long, Black Widows are shiny black creatures with two red marks on their abdomen.

Black Widow spiders are relatively common in the Valley, which makes them a worry for many Phoenix homes and businesses. This is because when provoked, a Black Widow will bite, producing a venom that can cause severe pain, swelling, and redness, as well as pain in the muscles and abdomen, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.

Why are these creatures in bathrooms? Black Widows prefer dark corners, so they may lurk around baseboards and other entry points in walls. Likewise, they prey upon smaller insects such as ants. So, if ants are present in the bathroom, Black Widows will follow suit.

4. The Brown Recluse Spider

Brown Recluse spiders are also half an inch long. However, their coloring is light brown. The legs of Brown Recluses are longer than their bodies. Brown Recluse spiders can also bite when threatened, and their attack may lead to a sore. Like black widows, brown recluse spiders hang around bathrooms to prey upon ants and other small insects.

5. The German Cockroach

Though many may know them as just “roaches,” the German cockroach is the most common cockroach found in homes and businesses. They measure between half an inch to ¾ of an inch long and are yellowish-brown with a dark strip running down their bodies. German cockroaches tend to live in areas with food sources and water, hence why they often infest bathrooms.

6. Mosquitos

It’s no secret that mosquitos love water. They are especially drawn to humid or moist locations, which is why they love areas like bathrooms. Additionally, these pests like to lay eggs in stagnant water, so mind your toilets or other areas that contain still water.

7. Silverfish

Silverfish infestations are typically only present in bathrooms with wallpaper. These pests are between ½ of an inch to ¾ of an inch long and are silver in color. Silverfish are nocturnal, and they dine on starch, glue, and wallpaper.

8. Termites

Termites prefer building their mud tubes and nests in moist areas, making the bathroom a preferred spot. Termites are ¼ to ½ long with dark red, brown, and off white coloring. As many people are aware, termites are wood-boring insects. Because of their attraction to humid environments, termites may nest in leaky faucets, drains, and cracks in the wall of bathrooms.

Maintain a Pest-Free Home with Insectek

No bathroom should be overrun with pests. If you’re located in the Metropolitan Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert areas and have spotted these bugs crawling around a bathroom near you, call to learn more about pest control services at Insectek today.

Insectek 365 Pest Prevention Program

Insectek’s 365 Pest Prevention Program provides flexible services that fit the personal needs of our clients throughout Maricopa County. Along with offering monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly treatment options, our program has awesome perks like $100 off initial treatment for new clients and a 5% discount for seniors, teachers, first responders, and veterans.

Please reach out today to learn more about our professional pest control services. We look forward to hearing from you.