So you just found a smoky brown color baby roach in your bathroom and wondering what it is and how to get rid of them.
Luckily, it’s not that hard to get rid of roaches, as it’s said. All you need is a few preventive measures, and you will be good to go.
But the first thing is to find where roaches can hide. Check this article for all possible spots. But, then, do make sure to check your entire home.
The smoky brown cockroach nymph you saw in your bathroom is probably a baby palmetto bug, A.K.A American Cockroach.
These roaches live in the sewer system and may have sneaked into your bathroom through your drain pipe.
However, if you are infested, you still don’t need to worry, as the roach problem is treatable.
So let’s discuss how you can get rid of these nymphs and the way forward!
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)
What type of roach is this smoky brown nymph I saw in bathroom?
Luckily, Smoky Brown Cockroach is a cockroach species, but I am sure you have not spotted those. Smoky Brown cockroaches are rare but highly similar to American Cockroaches, with the only difference of lack of yellow shape 8 on their pronotum (Above Head).
The pronotum does not fully develop in baby roaches, so you may call it another small brown cockroach nymph.
So what you saw is probably an American Cockroach baby, also known as the palmetto bug.
You may also have seen a baby german roach, as that is also a light brown tannish roach.
In that case, you need to be extra careful as german roaches are highly infectious and can be very hard to eradicate.
Hand-Picked Related Article: A cockroach is hiding in my bathroom!
How did a smoky brown cockroach nymph come in my bathroom?
A smoky brown cockroach nymph can end up in your bathroom due to multiple reasons. A few of the reasons are assuring, and some are alarming. I guess you should check for all possibilities.
1. Drain Pipes
American cockroaches sneaking into your bathroom via drain pipes is normal. These roaches live in sewer systems and can come in via drain pipes.
So the smoky brown cockroach nymph you just saw in your bathroom most probably came in via a bathroom drain.
Following is the list of the best drain covers I recommend with holes small enough to stop roaches from breaching inside:
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.
2. Shared Plumbing and Electrical Wiring Gaps
Apartments and buildings are usually built with washrooms sharing the plumbing. This reduces the overall construction cost of a building.
However, since the drilled hole for the plumbing between the two bathrooms at both opposite ends is hidden, it’s often left unsealed.
This way, roaches can come into your bathroom from an adjacent apartment. Unfortunately, the wall insulation gap often has plenty of space for roaches to breed and make a nest. So you may be getting the roaches from there.
Similarly, the conduits for electrical wiring are shared between adjacent rooms. So it is wise to open your electrical plug casings to ensure it’s roach-free.
3. From other rooms or kitchen
Roaches sneaking into your bathroom from other areas of your home are also possible, but this can only happen if you have an ongoing severe infestation. In that case, you will spot the roaches before it starts to appear in your bathroom.
Another possible reason is that you may have an infested piece of furniture. In that case, cockroaches will visit your bathroom to get hydrated. They can survive by eating furniture bits and pieces but will need water daily to breed and grow.
Since our dry furniture, they will come to your bathroom to get water.
4. Additional Gaps and Openings in the bathroom
Roaches can get into your bathroom from other gaps and openings in your walls, near windows, vents, etc. Make sure it’s properly sealed. Check this video to get an idea of how good roaches are at crossing tiny openings.
5. Recently Hatched Egg
Another rare possibility can be a female roach sneaking into your bathroom and laying down an egg that has recently hatched in your bathroom.
Roaches need food to survive, and if you have a clean bathroom with no hairs or nails everywhere, the roaches won’t survive. But, if they still do, follow the steps in the next paragraph, and you will be all good.
Steps to get rid of cockroach nymphs in the bathroom
Follow these three simple steps to eliminate smoky brown cockroach nymphs in your bathroom.
Step 1: Use a bait
The first step is to use bait to remove any roaches 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.
That’s it. Peace.
