Buzz, buzz, buzz… annoying little buggers, aren’t they?
What are we talking about? Why, mosquitos of course!
These flappy little bugs land on your skin to suck your blood. The moment you see them perched on your arm, as ugly as they please, it feels like they are sucking your essence. Swatting them with your hand is the rite of passage. Flicking them off and then swiping your hands on your clothes to remove their blood… well, your blood that they just sucked, is how you finally put them to rest.
First of all, eww but we get you. We have all done it.
Seeing them in my bedroom or kitchen is understandable. Perhaps, I left the window open and they flew inside. But what about my bathroom and, most important of all, how do I get rid of them?
Have you been seeing them around the sink or shower drains lately and feeling annoyed by their presence? There’s a reason they are in this room and it’s gross. To answer your first question, they are there because of your bathroom’s unhygienic condition and you can absolutely get rid of them.
Where Are the Mosquitos in Your Bathroom Coming From?
Mosquitos gravitate towards dirty, stagnant water. However, there are plenty of other things they like… nay, love. The following chart will help you get the basics behind how to get rid of mosquitos:
- Carbon Dioxide – According to research, mosquitos love carbon dioxide. As we all emit this gas, it’s why mosquitos are attracted to humans.
- Body Odor – Sweat gives out a specific odor that attracts mosquitos. Two compounds that play a huge part in this role include ammonia and lactic acid.
- Colors – While there’s no rhyme or reason to it, research shows that mosquitos are attracted to dark colors especially black.
- Water Vapor and Heat – According to research, mosquitos move towards bodies that emit heat. The source is not limited to human beings, which is one of the reasons mosquitos are also found in bathrooms.
- Alcohol – Mosquitos are not attracted to open alcohol but the person who has consumed it. A study’s results revealed that mosquitos landed more on volunteers who had consumed alcohol and were sweating.
- Pregnant Women – Pregnancy increases a woman’s body temperature and they also exhale a high amount of carbon dioxide. For this reason, in a room full of people, more mosquitos land on pregnant women.
Now that you know what mosquitos are attracted to, you probably have an idea why you find them in your bathroom. Here’s a hint ― all that water and gunk. Before we answer your question on how to get rid of mosquitos in my bathroom and provide you with tips and remedies, let’s take a look at all the places in this room that provide a breeding ground for mosquitos:
Breeding Grounds for Mosquitos
From your AC’s filter to window and door screens, moldy patches and holes in the walls, mosquitos can lay eggs just about anywhere. As long as the place is moist and covered in dirt, it’s a guarantee that mosquitos will start coming from there.
Coming to your bathroom, the following are the dark corners where mosquitos lay eggs:
Here’s a dirty fact ― although the life span of a mosquito is just a month, they can create havoc wherever they lay eggs, which happen to be 300 in one sitting. For sustenance, mosquitos drink your blood and then meet their death in one of three ways:
- You swat them or sandwich them between your hands by clapping
- They are eaten by lizards or other predators
- They meet a natural death when their time is up
Moving on…
The Bathroom Drain
From your bathroom’s main drain to the shower or tub and sink drain, these three spots are prime breeding grounds for mosquitos. As mentioned earlier, mosquitos love the dark, and what better place than the underside of a drain cover?
All that gunk formed by soap scum and hair provides the right amount of moisture for mosquitos to lay eggs. And this is one of the reasons you see mosquitos sitting on your shower stall.
Here’s another:
The Toilet Bowl
You will seldom find mosquitos breeding in the toilet bowl but sometimes, a dirty seat provides the perfect spot. This is why you see dead mosquitos lying in the toilet bowl water.
And now, let’s talk about how to get rid of mosquitos in the bathroom:
Tips on Keeping Mosquitos Out of Your Bathroom
Remove Stagnant Water
The first one is obvious: simply make sure that your bathroom is dry at all times. Easier said than done, which we totally agree with but here’s you can do it:
After taking a shower, make sure to wipe the floor with a towel and then hang it outside to dry. Do not rely on bathroom mats to soak up the water because they will only create another breeding ground. This brings us to our next tip:
Clean the Bathroom Regularly
Create a DIY mixture of liquid dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide to clean the bathroom tiles. Do this at least once a month. Next, wash the bathroom floor with Clorox and that too once a month. Make sure to unclog the drains to effectively kill any breeding grounds.
Keep a Few Potted Plants in the Bathroom
Part one of this tip is to open the bathroom window to let all the humid air out after taking a shower. Part two is to place lavender potted plants on the bathroom vanity. The smell of lavender repels mosquitos and the added bonus is that the room will smell fresh.
Light Scented Candles
If you don’t want to place plants in your bathroom then an alternative to this is lighting candles. You don’t necessarily have to light a candle every day. Just use them when you are taking a bath. Lavender scented candles are the best for this but citronella and rosemary will work effectively as well.
Cut Down the Trellis Outside Your Bathroom Window
Mosquitos like to hide in plants and bushes. When you open your bathroom window to let the humid air out, you give an invitation to the mosquitos hanging out on the trellis. So, better cut down any green hanging outside the window of your bathroom.
Install Window Screens
You might have never given this any thought but with mosquitos buzzing in your bathroom, it’s time to install a window screen. This way you can open the bathroom window without fearing that you might be letting in mosquitos. Of course, a great way to avoid this mess altogether is to install a ventilator fan.
Install LED Lights
Mosquitos are not a big fan of LED lights, yellow bug lamps, and sodium lamps. While the latter two options might be a bit expensive and look out of place in the bathroom, the former option will work quite well. LED lights are energy-efficient, have a long life, and have high brightness that will light up the dark spots.
Use Insect Repellants
When everything fails, the best course of action is to get an insect repellant spray. Combined with regular cleaning, you will have a fool-proof cleaning plan that will kill all the mosquitos.
Mosquito Control – Everything You Need to Know About How to Get Rid of Mosquitos in the Bathroom
According to the CDC, when using the chemical options for repelling or killing mosquitos, there are a few precautions that you need to take.
Using Aerosols or Foggers
When going with this option, it is better to hire a professional. The toxic gases in foggers and aerosols can be harmful to you if you don’t have the proper protective gear. To keep yourself out of harm’s way, stay with your friend for a day. Don’t forget to take your pet with you and do cover the fish tank.
Using Sprays
Repellant sprays are not used directly over mosquitos. They are sprayed in the area where mosquitos usually come from. This not only kills the eggs growing in the spot but also the mosquitos that land there.
Here are a few more tips to control mosquitos:
- Use air conditioning whenever possible
- Do not let the trash sit in the kitchen
- Once a week, empty and scrub items that hold water such as flowerpot saucers and vases
Final Thoughts
We have mentioned plenty of ways on how to get rid of mosquitos in the bathroom. We highly recommend that you opt for the safe and natural mosquito repellants such as using DIY cleaners, potted plants, and scented candles.
Chemical insect repellants should be your last resort and even those should be handled by a pest control professional.
Alright, now grab your scrubbing gloves and get to cleaning those dirty drains in your bathroom. You will have to use some elbow grease to get the job done if you haven’t given your bathroom a deep clean in quite a while.
