Small black bugs with wings - Ask Extension
I have these very small black bugs in my bathroom and I can't figure out what they are and where they are coming from. I recently noticed a little ove...
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Small black bugs with wings #267008
Asked August 03, 2015, 12:56 AM EDT
I have these very small black bugs in my bathroom and I can't figure out what they are and where they are coming from. I recently noticed a little over a week ago my tub having several dead bugs in it. I was out of town for a week and came to to a tub of 20-30 dead bugs. The bugs also accumulate on my window sill above the tub. I immediately started cleaning my entire bathroom. My bathroom does not have any exits meaning the window is sealed and their is only a vent and fan. My bathroom is connected to my closet and my room. After I cleaned I noticed that several bugs were dead in the tub again. I have also seen dead bugs behind the toilet on the floor. I am unsure of where they are coming from and how to get rid of them. Any help would greatly be appreciated. I live in San Antonio, Texas.
Bexar County Texas
Expert Response
I cannot be certain from the picture, but they appear to be similar to a fly of some species.
Being found in the bathroom, they may be either entering through a window in the bathroom or breeding in the drains.
Look around the toilet area for any algae or build up in the tank or outside the toilet. You can place scotch tape over the drains and see if anything emerges overnight. Cleaning the drains with a drain cleaner (enzyme or bacteria found at the hardware store) or physically removing the build up or organic matter will eliminate the breeding site.
If no build up is found, they are likely coming from the window - leave lights off at night, spray the sill outside where they enter. You may still find some but they will be dying when they enter.
Being found in the bathroom, they may be either entering through a window in the bathroom or breeding in the drains.
Look around the toilet area for any algae or build up in the tank or outside the toilet. You can place scotch tape over the drains and see if anything emerges overnight. Cleaning the drains with a drain cleaner (enzyme or bacteria found at the hardware store) or physically removing the build up or organic matter will eliminate the breeding site.
If no build up is found, they are likely coming from the window - leave lights off at night, spray the sill outside where they enter. You may still find some but they will be dying when they enter.
Molly
Thanks for your response. My window in my bathroom is silled from the outside. I will buy some drain cleaner to see if that helps. I haven't noticed anything around the toilet or inside the bowl. When I find the bugs, they are usually dead. I do notice that my tub is directly across from the sink so they could be coming from the drain. I'll clean the drain and leave it closed tonight and see if it helps. I do notice at night the bugs do not come out. I have attached some better pics.
Thanks for your response. My window in my bathroom is silled from the outside. I will buy some drain cleaner to see if that helps. I haven't noticed anything around the toilet or inside the bowl. When I find the bugs, they are usually dead. I do notice that my tub is directly across from the sink so they could be coming from the drain. I'll clean the drain and leave it closed tonight and see if it helps. I do notice at night the bugs do not come out. I have attached some better pics.
Molly
Thanks for your response. My window in my bathroom is silled from the outside. I will buy some drain cleaner to see if that helps. I haven't noticed anything around the toilet or inside the bowl. When I find the bugs, they are usually dead. I do notice that my tub is directly across from the sink so they could be coming from the drain. I'll clean the drain and leave it closed tonight and see if it helps. I do notice at night the bugs do not come out. I have attached some better pics.
Thanks for your response. My window in my bathroom is silled from the outside. I will buy some drain cleaner to see if that helps. I haven't noticed anything around the toilet or inside the bowl. When I find the bugs, they are usually dead. I do notice that my tub is directly across from the sink so they could be coming from the drain. I'll clean the drain and leave it closed tonight and see if it helps. I do notice at night the bugs do not come out. I have attached some better pics.
