Bugs in the Bathroom & Kitchen Sink
Many pests are attracted to moisture underneath the sink and around the drain, an attractive place for pests to reside and breed inside your home. It’s important to take proper preventative measures to reduce the risk of attracting dangerous pests.
These pesky invaders include ants, cockroaches, silverfish and house spiders.
Bathroom & Kitchen Sink Bugs Identification
Ants
These tiny black bugs are often found near bathroom and kitchen sinks. However, not all sink ants are black! One of the most common species of ants you may find around your bathroom sink is the Pharaoh ant. These ants prefer to nest in warm, humid areas with access to water. They can often be found in wall voids, behind baseboards and under floors. If you have a leaky sink with cabinet storage underneath, you could be attracting Pharoah ants to their next home. They are not the typical black ant you’re used to seeing. Instead, their characteristics include:
- Pale body, usually yellowish to reddish color with a darker to black abdomen
- 6 legs, 2 antennae
- Monomorphic shape with segmented body
- 1/16 of an inch in length
Cockroaches
Like Pharoah ants, cockroaches also love warm, moist environments. They also tend to live in dimly lit spaces, making the underside of your sink or the sink drain itself a perfect place for them to hide. Although there are several different species of cockroaches, there are some general characteristics that they tend to have in common:
- Typically reddish-brown in color
- Oval-shaped bodies
- Usually between 2/3 of an inch and 3” in size
- Can move very quickly
Silverfish
Silverfish are also attracted to moisture and humidity, which is why they are commonly found in and around bathroom sinks. They feed on mold that is caused by moisture buildup. Silverfish have very unique physical features that make them fairly recognizable:
- Wingless, but can run very quickly
- Adult silverfish measure ½ to ¾ of an inch in length, not including their tail
- Flattened body and a tapered, teardrop-like shape
- Covered with scales
- Silvery, metallic appearance
- Fish-like shape and movements
- Threadlike antennae and small, widely separated eyes
House Spiders
Although house spiders are not drawn to moisture like the other pests mentioned above, they are often found preying on the smaller pests that reside near the bathroom sink. These spiders are fairly common and can be identified using these traits as a guide:
- Adult female house spiders have an almost spherical abdomen and are roughly 3/16 to 5/16 of an inch in length
- Adult male house spiders have elongated abdomens and are only about 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch in length
- Both females and males tend to be yellowish-brown in color with a dirty white abdomen
- 8 eyes with 2 lateral pairs almost touching
- Last tarsal segment of the fourth pair of legs has a row of serrated bristles
MORE FROM THE NATIONAL PEST MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
What are the Signs of an Infestation of Bugs in the Sink or Drain?
If you suspect a pest infestation in or around your bathroom sink, there are a few key indicators you can monitor for:
- Simply seeing the pests is one of the most common clues. This could look like trails of ants, a spider in its web or a cockroach scuttling away when you turn on the bathroom lights.
- Many pests leave evidence behind. Spider webs, cockroach droppings and silverfish scales that are left behind on your bathroom sink could be a sign of a larger issue.
Where Do Bathroom and Kitchen Sink Bugs Come From?
Because many of these pests are drawn to moisture, your bathroom sink can be a hotbed of pest activity. Leftover water in the sink basin or plumbing leaks can contribute to moisture buildup or even mold. These issues attract bathroom bugs like cockroaches, ants and silverfish, and their presence attracts predators like house spiders.
In most pest infestations throughout the home, pests tend to enter through any small cracks, crevices or holes in the walls or through gaps in window or door screens.
How to Keep Pests Out of the Bathroom Sink
To prevent pests from infiltrating your bathroom sink, there are a few preventative measures you can take:
- Eliminate any causes of excess moisture by addressing leaky pipes or faucets, making sure to check underneath the sink regularly
- Ensure pests don’t have access to the bathroom at all by sealing wall crevices with caulk and repairing ripped window screens
- Replace any broken tiles around the bathroom to prevent additional moisture buildup and to eliminate any hiding spots for potential pests
- Practice thorough and consistent sanitation by inspecting and cleaning drains and organizing any storage space in the sink cabinetry
Find a Pest Control Professional for Kitchen and Bathroom Sink Bugs
If you do happen to find pests in the bathroom, call a licensed pest professional to assess the problem and develop a program to help you get your bathroom pest-free.
