Springtails are small insects that live and thrive in wet places that are difficult to find or locate. And if you don’t know what we are talking about, well, they are easily recognized by their jumping behavior, they are not dangerous to humans but they can cause discomfort if they enter your home. For the most part, they are usually found in outdoor settings, but if the weather is too dry or hot outside, they can call your house their new place because of all the elements they get inside, like food, a proper wet and warm environment, etc. Usually, though, they are found around sinks, drains, and bathtubs, which are areas with humidity and abundant sources of food for mold or mildew. And today, we are here to let you know how to get rid of springtails in the bathroom, so, let’s get going.
Identifying a Springtail Infestation
You see, it is true that with the right knowledge, one can easily tell springtails apart from other insects. And you can do that too if you know a thing or two about these annoying insects, bugs, or whatever you want to call them. Just so you know, the size of these insects is small and they like to jump around quite a bit when they feel threatened. Talking about the size, you see, they are anywhere between 1 to 2 millimeters long, the adult ones, of course.
And yes, most of the time, you will see them around wet places like the base of sinks or maybe in a shower drain, or a wall. Sure, they aren’t too harmful for humans, but yes, if there are too many of them, you wouldn’t like the sight of looking at like hundreds or thousands of them, or would you?
How to Get Rid of Springtails in the Bathroom
First of all, you’ve got to manage the water levels in your bathroom to eliminate the springtails. Why’s that though? Simple! These bugs live in damp environments so you should first dry out the area. Check very carefully for leaks in all spots, including the faucet area, pipe area, and seal area, since these places are the ones with the leaks. And see if the humidity of your bathroom is way too high, if it is, then you’d have to lower it down by switching on the exhaust fan more often.
And yes, to get rid of the springtail bugs, household items can be some of the best methods. Like what though? Well, just for a start, mix water and white vinegar in a spray bottle then directly over the bugs or the neighboring spots, leave the area to soak for two main hours, and then clean it off with a dry cloth afterward. In more serious cases, bleach can be added to the vinegar solution but note that this is not recommended because it may damage your surfaces.
There is a springtail trap method you can try out too. First, you will need a towel that is soaked in water and a few containers like jars. Then you may add a few drops of yeast or a few tablespoons of beer into the water. Leave it there for quite some time, and once quite a lot of these bugs are inside the jar, just dispose of it somewhere outside. That’s all.