Weevils are quite the nuisance in bathrooms. These pests aren’t dangerous and usually don’t bite, but nobody wants them around. They are small, but they breed so quickly that they can become a real problem. So, in this post, I will help you get rid of weevils in bathroom, and, of course, understand why they are attracted in the first place.
Weevils can sneak into your bathroom without being noticed. When you finally spot them, you might find hundreds under your sink, in your bathtub, shower, or near light fixtures. They leave behind their droppings and shed skins, making everything dirty. Generally, you can use deterrents, traps, and pesticides to tackle a weevil infestation in your bathroom. But this article is more than just pesticides. You will also learn about the types of weevils in bathroom that you may be dealing with.
What Are Weevils?
Weevils are a type of beetle that looks a bit like bears and come in over 1,000 different species. They vary in shape and color. Most of them are oval and slender, ranging from 3 to 10 millimeters long, depending on the species. Many are dark in color, like brown, black, or sometimes reddish.
One unique thing about weevils is their head shape. Some have a long head that looks like a snout with their mouth at the end. For instance, the Curculionidae family of weevils have a snout as long as their body. But in the Bruchidae family, like the cowpea weevils, they don’t have the long snout common in other weevils.
Typically, you’ll notice weevils entering your bathroom in the fall. They use this space to hide throughout the winter and emerge in the spring. Some weevils also seek refuge in bathrooms during summer to escape the heat.
Weevils are not known to carry or transmit diseases or parasites. However, they become problematic when an infestation occurs. Adult weevils, with a lifespan of two to three months, prioritize breeding. A female weevil lays about four eggs daily, totaling around 240 eggs in her lifetime.
Types of Weevils
You might encounter several types of weevils in your bathroom, including:
1. Stored Product Weevils (Rice Weevil, Grain Weevil, Cowpea Weevil, Flour Weevil)
These weevils attack stored seeds, grains, and powders. Their color varies from reddish-brown to brownish-black. Rice weevils have faint red or yellow wing patterns, while cowpea weevils are identified by black markings on their abdomen.
These weevils often feed on grain-based products, such as homemade bathroom cleaners.
2. Strawberry Root Weevil
Often found in bathrooms, these weevils grow to about 0.25 inches and have dark brown to black bodies with pitted rows on their backs. They’re drawn to moist areas like showers and sinks and do not fly.
3. Asiatic Oak Weevil
The Asiatic oak weevil is a broad-nosed species, recognizable by its distinctive greenish-gray color. They can grow to about ⅓-inch long. These weevils often enter your bathroom around June and stay until early fall, preparing to lay eggs and hibernate.
4. Black Vine Weevil
These plant-eating weevils start invading bathrooms from October, seeking warmth during winter. They feed on bathroom plants.
Why Are Weevils in My Bathroom?
Weevils can turn into structural pests, infesting your bathroom in large numbers. There are several reasons why your toilet, bathroom furniture, cabinets, or bathtub might be appealing to weevils.
1. Bathroom Plants
If you have ornamental plants in your bathroom, they might attract weevils like vine weevils. These weevils feed on the leaves of over 100 different annuals and perennials.
2. Bathroom Lights
Weevils such as the Asiatic oak weevil are attracted to light. They often gather near your bathroom’s light fixtures or on windowsills.
3. Moist Environment
Certain weevils, like the Strawberry root weevil, are drawn to moist areas. You’re likely to find them around water basins, bathtubs, and bathroom sinks.
4. Flour or Grain-Containing Products
Products in your bathroom, like cleaning agents or cosmetics, may have flour or powders that attract weevils. For instance, homemade toilet cleaners often contain white flour. If you have beauty products with oatmeal, such as facial scrubs and masks, in your bathroom vanity, they can also lure weevils.
Adult weevils are naturally curious. Even though some can’t fly, the flying ones might accidentally enter your bathroom while searching for a mate or a place to lay eggs.
Weevils in Bathroom: How They Got In!
Weevils typically start outside but can invade indoors for shelter and food. They often cluster around exterior walls and can enter your bathroom through cracks in the walls, gaps around windows and doors, or spaces near sewer pipes.
Some weevils might crawl through openings around light fixtures to get in from the attic, or they could come through bathroom vents and damaged screens.
Bathrooms are ideal breeding grounds for weevils due to their damp and humid conditions. Adult female weevils, ready to lay eggs, are often found at the bottom of showers, under sinks, in drains, or in bathtubs. The insulation inside bathroom walls also provides a good hiding spot for weevils.
How to Get Rid of Weevils in the Bathroom
Understanding what weevils look like and the problems they can cause in your bathroom, let’s look at methods to remove them.
1. Clean Your Bathroom
A thorough cleaning and vacuuming of your bathroom can often suffice for a minor weevil infestation. Vacuuming quickly removes weevils from bathroom walls and furniture. Remember to dispose of the vacuum contents outside, preventing the weevils from re-entering your bathroom.
Also, remove potential weevil attractants in bathrooms, such as grain crumbs or infested plants.
2. Spray Soapy Water on Weevils
A homemade solution of dish soap and warm water can effectively kill adult weevils. Insecticidal soap is another option for a quicker result.
Spray this soapy mixture directly on weevils in your bathroom, ensuring they are fully coated. Wait for the solution to take effect before cleaning up.
3. Clean with a Vinegar Solution
Vinegar, a natural disinfectant, mixed with water, can deter weevils effectively. Use this vinegar solution for cleaning your bathroom, focusing on crevices and hidden spots.
If the vinegar odor is too strong, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil. These oils are also effective against weevils.
4. Install Pheromone Traps
Glue or pheromone traps are effective in attracting and capturing pests like weevils, helping to halt an infestation. Place these traps in weevil-prone areas such as under sinks and drains, and leave them for a while.
Replace the traps once they fill up, continuing until you’re sure all the weevils in your bathroom are gone.
5. Apply Pesticides
For a faster solution, using insecticides in areas where you’ve spotted weevils can be effective. Weevils typically succumb quickly to pesticides.
However, it’s important to apply pesticides only after identifying the weevils’ common spots.
6. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth acts as both a killer and a deterrent for weevils in your bathroom.
Sprinkle it around various areas in your bathroom, including under the sink, around the toilet bowl, on the shower floor, on bathroom carpets, and under cabinets. Allow the powder to remain for several days before vacuuming the entire bathroom. This method is effective in killing and deterring weevils.
Tips to Keep Bathroom Weevils at Bay
After successfully getting rid of weevils in your bathroom, it’s important to take steps to prevent their return. Here are two effective methods:
1. Seal Potential Entry Points
The presence of weevils inside suggests they’ve found an entry point into your bathroom. To prevent their return, identify and seal any potential entryways. Inspect for cracks or holes in the walls, ceiling, vents, doors, and windows. Repair any damaged weather stripping, fill in missing caulk, and mend torn screens.
2. Use Weevil Repellents
Implementing weevil repellents in your bathroom makes it an unwelcoming environment for them. Effective deterrents include essential oil sprays, such as peppermint and sweet orange. Additionally, herbal sachets containing bay leaves, rosemary, cloves, and peppercorns can also help keep weevils at bay.
Read also: How to Get Rid of Pantry Weevils
