8 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Springtails in Bathroom

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Have you noticed six-legged creepy-looking critters crawling in your bathroom? If yes, You may have a springtail infestation in the house.

Springtails generally appear after excessive rains during the summers.

They require damp areas due to which they take shelter in the bathroom.

These crawling insects can enter your bathroom through the windows, pipes, or cracks in the foundation. Moreover, you may accidentally introduce them to your home through potted plants.

In this blog post, you will learn more about springtails as well as effective techniques to get rid of these pests from the bathroom.

Springtails: What You Should Know?

Springtails (Collembola) are tiny insects (0.26 to 6 mm size) that normally live outside in the garden.

The color of these insects varies, ranging from red to light brown and even purple. These insects appear similar to cockroaches but they are an entirely different species of insects.

The diet of springtails is varied, which includes fungi, plants, and algae.

How to Get Rid of Springtails in Bathroom?

Now that you know a bit about springtails, let’s find out how to eliminate these pests from the bathroom.

Use Household Cleaning Products

Using bleach is an effective technique to get rid of a springtail infestation.

Bleach is an effective and fast-acting remedy for getting rid of pests. It can eliminate the entire colony of the pests.

But if you can’t stand the strong smell of the bleach, the next best option is to wash the affected area with soap and water.

Mix soap in a tub containing water, until bubbles start appearing. You should apply the mixture to the areas with the springtail infestation.

The solution will help in getting rid of large droves of these insects.

But you will have to apply the solution multiple times to effectively end springtail infestation in the bathroom.

Spray Insecticide

Using insecticide can also help in eliminating springtail infestation in the bathroom. But make sure that you use an insecticide that is safe for indoor use.

Delta Gard is a recommended product that you can use to eliminate insect infestation in the washroom.

The product contains effective active ingredients such as Deltamethrin, Cyfluthrin, and Bifenthrin.

Another effective insecticide is Pyrethroid, which you can safely use inside the home.

Using insecticide is also a cost-effective option to remove springtail infestation in the swimming pool, garden, and other areas where springtails are likely to thrive.

On the outside, you can use pesticide with a granular formula that is more effective even in rainy conditions.

Moreover, you should consider using a residual insecticide that has a long-lasting effect due to which you have to use less of it to get rid of the springtail infestation.

However, you should use insecticide as a last resort in eliminating a springtail infestation from the house.

Using insecticide is a temporary remedy that will not eliminate the entire springtail colony. You will have to continuously use insecticide that will turn out to be costly.

Use Natural Solutions

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus is recommended, as it will not only help eliminate springtails from the bathroom but also leave a refreshing smell.

What’s more, the oil has anti-fungal properties. So, using eucalyptus oil will help remove their food source from the bathroom.

Cedar eucalyptus oil can reach cracks and other hard-to-reach areas in the bathroom, which is not possible with vinegar or bleach.

Neem Oil

Another type of natural oil that you can use to eliminate springtails from the bathroom is Neem oil.

This oil is a natural pesticide that will help in getting rid of almost all types of insect infestation in the bathroom.

Consider using Neem oil with a high concentration. This will help in getting rid of the entire springtail infestation.

You can use large quantities of Neem oil safely in areas with kids and pets.

Cedar Oil

You can also use cedar oil to eliminate springtails from the bathroom. Cedar oil is an effective natural insecticide.

You can use the oil to get rid of different types of pests found in moist areas including the bathroom and kitchen.

You should spray it under the sink and other places where the tiny critters will likely be hiding.

The natural oil can be effective in driving out springtails from the bathroom.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is also an effective natural insecticide that can help eliminate springtails from the bathroom.

When used in the right concentration, the oil is effective in getting rid of the pest infestation.

You should consider mixing the oil with other essential oil for the best results.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is another natural product that you can use to eliminate springtails from the bathroom.

It effectively removes the waxy outer layer of the pets that keep the body moist. 

Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is effective in getting rid of many insects. The acidity of vinegar can kill pests including their nesting grounds.

However, if you have a large infestation of springtails, you will have to use a lot of vinegar, which can end up becoming costly.

A benefit of using vinegar solution is that it is also effective in getting rid of mold and mildew from the bathroom.

The solution has strong anti-fungal properties due to its high acidity content. This makes it an effective treatment to remove both springtails and their food source.

You must keep the windows and doors open when using this remedy. This is important to avoid the pungent smell of vinegar from permeating the bathroom.

Improve Bathroom Ventilation

Improving ventilation will remove moisture from the bathroom. Springtails require moist and damp areas.

Minimizing moisture that accumulates in the bathroom will force these insects to relocate outside the house.

You can improve ventilation by improving air circulation. Consider using an exhaust fan that will help remove moisture by enhancing the circulation of air in the bathroom.

In addition, you should install the insulation material that will prevent excess heat during the summers.

Heat results in the evaporation of water that makes the environment moist.

Removing heat will ensure that the bathroom will remain dry due to which springtail won’t likely thrive in the area.

Clean Bathroom Fixture

You should clean the bathroom fixtures to eliminate springtails in the area. Consider cleaning the sink and tub using a bleach cleaner and brush.

This will remove the buildup of algae and mold that are a source of food for the pest.

You should also clean the area under the sink using soap and water solution.

Bleach solution can also be effective in removing the buildup of mold and mildew under the sink.

In addition, you should make sure to repair leaky plumbing since springtails thrive in moist areas.

Seal the Cracks

You should buy a sealant to seal the cracks in the walls and floors. Springtails like to hide in cracks that appear in the tiles.

Using a tile sealant will fill up the space between the tiles, thereby preventing the pests from hiding in these areas.

It will also prevent the buildup of mold that is a food source of springtails.

Inspect Potted Plants

Springtails thrive in soil with high moisture levels. Most potted plants require daily watering that creates the ideal environment for springtails.

To avoid attracting springtails, you must check the condition of the soil in the potted plant before you bring it home.

You should let the soil dry out completely before placing it inside the house.

Before bringing the plant inside, you should make sure that there are no springtails near the rims of the tray and the drainage area.

Also, you should test the soil with your thumb and examine the soil covers and lichen.

You should discourage the pests from infesting your outdoor garden as well. Remove damp organic matter from the garden as they are the ideal spot for a springtail infestation.

You should also consider adding compost and other organic material that will prevent springtails from thriving in the soil.

In addition, you should let the soil dry out completely before watering the plants in the garden.

Hire Pest Control Company

You should hire a pest exterminator if you don’t have the time to use any of the home remedies mentioned here to get rid of the infestation.

Pest control experts will use effective products to get rid of springtail infestation in the bathroom and outside the home.

Experienced pest exterminators use insecticide that is not that harmful to the environment.

They will use other techniques to eliminate springtail tail infestation in the kitchen and bathroom inside the house.

Moreover, they will know how to get rid of the pest infestation outside the house in the garden and other moist areas.

The benefit of hiring a reputed experience exterminator is that they can eliminate the pests from the house.

But you will have to bear the cost as the services of experienced pest control companies aren’t cheap.

Conclusion

Springtails are not harmful as they don’t spread diseases similar to cockroaches.

While the pests can fly, they don’t bite like mosquitoes spoil food similar to flies. Nevertheless, many people find them to be a nuisance inside the house.

You can use the tips mentioned in this blog post to effectively get rid of springtail infestation inside the bathroom.

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