Different species of roaches can get into your bathroom, but most probably, the one hiding in your bathroom is the American cockroach.
The American cockroach is also known as Palmetto Bug. I often receive queries on why there are cockroaches in my shower. So here is why;
A cockroach can enter a bathroom by crawling up the drain pipes or squeezing its way through gaps in baseboards, under doors, small holes, or ceilings.
You can get rid of roaches in the bathroom by closing all openings and gaps, pouring down boiling water or ammonia solution in the drains, using gel & powder baits, IGR devices, and keeping your washroom clean.
Also, use anti-cockroach drain covers.
There are different ways of controlling cockroaches from getting into your shower and home. It gets easier after knowing their biology, behavior, and how to control them with baits and natural repellents.
However, having a nasty feeling about these insects is typical.
Tired of cockroaches? Invest in only these products and follow the guide to eliminate roaches!
Use these products, and you will be roach free in less than a week.
1. Advion Cockroach Gel Bait (Review)
2. Gentrol IGR Point Source (Review)
Other Products to try:
1. Combat Roach Traps (Easy than gel baits)
2. Hot Shot Foggers (To kill in masses – 95%)
3. Pet Safe Killers (Uses Essential Oils)
4. Ortho Defence Outdoor Roach Killer (Prevent Roaches)
Where do roaches come from in the bathroom?
Roaches usually enter bathrooms through wastewater drains. Since drains are directly connected to the sewer system, American Cockroaches, a.k.a palmetto bugs, are extensively found there.
So they find a way to pop up through the drain holes, even if they have to swim through the commode S trap. They can also come through another hole or a gap in walls, doors, windows, etc.
Here are a few fantastic drain covers to stop roaches from entering your bathroom.
- LEKEYE Steel and Silicone Shower Drain Cover
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Drain Cove
- Flexible Silicon Drain Cover Large
- OXO Good Grips Shower Stall Drain Protector
- Drain Defender for Outdoor Drain Fittings
Learn more about the drain covers here.
Generally, roaches keep wandering in search of an ideal environment with plenty of food, a lot of humidity, and ideal warmth.
Bathrooms are humid and warm but a little scarce of food, although the tissue paper lying around is no less than a healthy meal they are looking for.
A cockroach can also land in your bathroom from somewhere else, like your kitchen or room, but the drain theory is why you have it most of the time.
If the cockroach lays eggs inside your bathroom, you can spot small roaches in the bathroom, which are most probably baby roaches. So don’t panic after spotting tiny roaches in the bathroom, as they are not going to be a different kind, just baby roaches.
Handpicked Related Read: Smoky Brown Cockroach Nymph in Bathroom [Solved]
Can cockroaches come up through the toilet?
The American cockroaches live in the sewer system (source); they can rarely come up through toilet drain pipes.
Roaches are not natural swimmers but can survive underwater for many hours and move through it. So a roach can cross through the small amount of water in the water trap inside a toilet.
However, if the toilet is wet, a cockroach will find it hard to climb up. If it’s dry, it will quickly climb up.
Cockroaches will come up through toilets more frequently with P-Traps. However, S-Traps are tricky for roaches to cross.
Found one cockroach in the bathroom, should I be worried?
There are a lot of chances that the cockroach hiding in your bathroom is alone. Because a single cockroach does not mean there will be more. Although, this can be an early sign of an infestation.
Generally, if you find one cockroach in the bathroom, it will not cause any problems or cause an infestation. Although roaches can cause health problems because they crawl through trash and sewers filled with bacteria and germs. However, exposure to a single bug won’t pose too much of a health risk.
So, don’t panic. This little creature will be more afraid than you. Almost incapable of biting back or sting. And there are a ton of ways to get rid of it.
Roaches in bathroom at night!
A cockroach won’t get into your bathroom at night and will leave in the morning. The roaches you see in your bathroom at night are still there in the daytime, except they are hidden.
Interesting Read: Can Roaches see in the Dark?
Cockroaches are Nocturnal and active at night. So, you should adequately investigate all hidden spots inside your bathroom to find any hidden roaches, as the roaches you see at night in your bathroom are the same already living inside your bathroom.
You should look under and behind the sink, inside all cabinets, hinges, drawer slides, etc. Look around everywhere and make sure there are no baby roaches in a bathtub or around. Learn more about where do roaches hide here.
How to get rid of cockroaches in bathroom?
There are just three basic steps to get rid of cockroaches in the bathroom or anywhere inside your house.
Step 1: Kill the roaches with BAITS
Step 2: Close every possible way for roaches to sneak inside your bathroom
Step 3: Use an IGR device for any roaches that have slipped away
Let’s discuss all these spets in detail.
Step 1: Use a bait
The first step is to use bait to get rid of any roach inside your bathroom. Baits are better than sprays as baits will kill the entire colony.
You can get your hand on many baits, but these are my favorite ones. Use each of them according to the instructions on the pack.
– Bengal Roach Killer is a dry spray bait, very easy to apply and use. (How to use guide)
– Advion Cockroach Gel Bait is the most effective gel you can buy.
– Hot Shot Liquid Cockroach Trapper and Killer is the best trap you can get for cockroaches.
– Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait is the best bait out on the market.
Step 2: Close all openings
The next step is closing all openings in your bathroom; else, it will be impossible to stop an infestation. Use Loctite Foam Sealent (Amazon Link) to close gaps and openings like a pro.
Step 3: Use an IGR
Using an IGR is the last step to ensure the roach nymphs don’t grow into adults. An IGR alters the internal hormones of roaches to molt. This way, the roaches can not become adults and reproduce. Gentrol Growth Regulator (Amazon Link) is the only and the best IGR device for roaches.
It’s straightforward to use. Just purge one of them and place it in a hidden place inside your bathroom.
Methods to spot the hidden palmetto bug in your bathroom
There can be multiple places where a palmetto bug can hide in your bathroom. However, you can trace it by utilizing a targeted approach.
Start from one side of the bathroom and make your way to the other side. Use your smartphone flashlight to have a better chance of finding them.
Look carefully in and around cupboards, cabinets, sinks, showerheads, bathtubs, and toilets. Door hinges are a good spot to hide. Do make sure to turn around all cosmetics items, bottles, and perfumes on shelves.
When looking around sinks and bathtubs, make sure to look from the underside to cover every aspect. A cockroach can easily hide beside bathtubs.
Don’t miss under the toilet reservoir and around water valves. Also, check exhaust vents & openings. Damaged tiles, flooring, and fixtures can also be an ideal hiding place.
Tapping your feet on the floor may help scare this little beast and give you a chance to spot it.
If you are smelling a musty smell, you may have an infestation, and the source of the smell can lead you to the hiding colony of the ONE roach you saw.
Quick Tip: Use an insecticide spray to save time or a roach bomb. it can be most effective and save you a ton of time. Best Roach Bombs
How to make sure it doesn’t come again?
Getting rid of cockroaches is challenging as they are incredibly prolific. Unfortunately, there is no absolute method of controlling the infestation of palmetto bugs as they can come from any source because of their attraction to warm, humid climates. But here are some methods that can be effective.
- Place metal meshes on all drain holes with small holes.
- Keep your bathroom dry. Keeping the exhaust fan turned on can help keep it dry.
- Repair all cracks and fixtures in your bathroom.
- Place door seals between the gaps of the door so that no bug can crawl into your bathroom.
- Good clean-up and sanitation practices are essential to prevent infestation.
- Avoid accumulation of water behind all possible hiding places. Fix water leaks and cracks by checking the plumbing system to remove moisture sources.
