Why Do I Have Springtails in the Bathroom?

Discovering tons of tiny jumping bugs in your bathroom can be a serious problem that requires quick answers. Find them all here.

In this piece on bathroom springtails, we’ll talk about:

What are the Small Jumping Bugs in My Bathroom?

If you encounter small brown jumping bugs in your bathroom (or kitchen or other water-laden rooms), then you likely have a springtail bug infestation. Springtails are tiny acrobatic water-seekers and are actually wingless, meaning they are hopping extraordinary lengths relative to their 1/16th inch body length.

Though springtail bugs are not particularly dangerous to humans as they don’t bite or sting, their presence in large quantities is unsightly and annoying and can accumulate minor damage to your property. Similarly, they are not hygienic and can carry local bacteria, so getting rid of them is necessary.

Signs of Springtail Infestation in Your Home

The primary sign of springtail bugs invading your bathroom is their presence all over your surfaces. Though they are small, they are attracted to moisture in large numbers if it is available, as they need it to survive.

Signs that might pre-empt a springtail invasion in your home include:

  • Standing water or accumulated moisture
  • Leaks or drips from pipes or fixtures
  • Mulch, leaf litter, or other compost around the outside of your home
  • Rotting beams or wood in your bathroom

Ultimately, water and moist areas are by far the most attractive elements to springtail bugs – if you see signs that extra water is accumulating in your home, it might be followed by springtail bugs.

How to Get Rid of Springtails in Your Bathroom

Getting rid of springtail bugs in your bathroom can be frustrating once they have swarmed it. However, you can attempt to do the following:

  • Home Pest Sprays: These may be effective for a few springtail bugs you notice early on, but home sprays may be ineffective once there is an entire swarm.
  • Vinegar: Like over-the-counter sprays, water and vinegar are an excellent start to clearing a small number of springtail bugs.
  • Heating and cooling the area repeatedly: Springtail bugs are almost always looking for moisture, and drying out your bathroom via extreme temperature swings is a great way to deter them. Make sure no one is in the room when you do this, though!

Ultimately, if you have recurring springtail bug issues or encounter an entire swarm of them, the solution is to get professional pest control. Their services will likely be more efficient, more cost-effective, and safer for you and your home.

How to Prevent Jumping Bugs in Your Bathroom

The number one way to prevent springtail bugs from invading your home is by depriving them of consistent moisture sources. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but consider:

  1. Removing mulch, newspaper, compost, and woodpiles from near your home: moving these standing piles of moisture-laden material far away from your windows, door screens, and entryways will make it harder for springtail bugs to make their way into your home.
  2. Make sure your bathroom and kitchen have proper ventilation: if you are creating moisture via steam and water puddles, make sure your house can adequately dry and ventilate the areas.
  3. Clean and dry your surfaces often: Good housekeeping is a reliable way to prevent springtail bugs from getting into your home. If you use a vinegar-based solution to wipe down your surfaces, it should be extra effective.
  4. Avoid overwatering plants: The moist soil and runoff from potted indoor plants or flower beds around your home will attract springtail bugs to them. Make sure you are letting your potted plants properly dry before watering them again.

Read More: Bugs most commonly found in Phoenix Bathrooms

These measures can effectively prevent springtail bugs, but we also recommend having a proper pest control appraisal of your property semi-regularly. High-quality pest control services in Phoenix should include a full-property walkthrough and plan for all local pests, so make sure to ask your pest control technician about dealing with springtail bugs.

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