[Home Tips] How to completely eliminate flying insects in the toilet or bathroom?

🥼 Why are flying insects common in Hong Kong toilets/bathrooms?

  1. Heavy humidity 💦
    • The weather in Hong Kong is humid and there is always moisture in the bathroom, which is very suitable for the breeding of flying insects.
  2. Drainage outlets are polluted 🪠
    • Drain pipes and floor drains easily accumulate hair, soap scum, and mud, becoming a breeding ground for fly larvae.
  3. Insufficient ventilation 🌬️
    • Without windows or relying on small exhaust fans, it is difficult to remove moisture and odors.
  4. Aging sewage drains
    • Old buildings may have poor drainage design, and the gaps in sewage drains may become "highways" for insects.

🔍 Common flying insect species in Hong Kong bathrooms

  • Drain Flies 🦋
    • Also called sewer fly, it is gray-black or brown and rests against walls or glass.
  • Fungus Gnats 🪰
    • Small and black, they are often attracted to moisture and vegetation.
  • Fruit Flies 🍌
    • Prefers trash cans, fermenting food, but occasionally humid bathrooms.

🧪 Health risks of flying insects

  • Carry bacteria and fungi, and contaminate towels, toothbrushes and other items.
  • Causes itchy skin and respiratory tract allergies.
  • The eggs and larvae exist for a long time, affecting the sanitary environment.

🧹 Steps to completely eliminate flying insects (removal + prevention of regeneration)

The editor divides the method into three steps: deep cleaning → physical barrier → long-term prevention . Follow them to ensure clean and durable cleaning!

1️⃣ Deep cleaning (eliminating insect eggs and larvae)🧼

🪠 Clean the drain

  1. Remove the drain cover and use a long-handled brush or old toothbrush to remove stuck-on hair and soap scum.
  2. Pour hot water (70-80°C) to rinse and kill some of the larvae.
  3. Add baking soda and white vinegar (1:1 ratio), let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with hot water to help dissolve dirt and inhibit bacteria.

🚿 Clean bathtub and wash basin overflow

  • Use a fine-bristled brush to reach into the overflow hole and scrub it. These areas are often overlooked and prone to accumulation of dirt.

🧴 Use disinfectant

  • You can pour diluted bleach (1:10 ratio) or chlorine-containing disinfectant into the floor drain, let it sit for 15 minutes and then flush.
  • Editor's reminder: Do not mix bleach with acidic cleaners to avoid producing toxic gases.

2️⃣ Physical barrier (to prevent flying insects)🚫

🪤 Install insect-proof floor drain

  • Hong Kong hardware stores sell gravity flip-top floor drains or insect-proof rubber plugs , which usually close automatically to prevent insects from coming up from the drain.

🧽 Close the gap

  • Use waterproof silicone to seal the gaps between the toilet base, wash basin drain pipe and the wall.

🪟 Improve ventilation

  • Install an exhaust fan or enhance the existing exhaust system and keep it running for at least 20 minutes after showering.

3️⃣ Long-term prevention (reduce the chance of regeneration)♻️

🌿 Regularly maintain the drain

  • Pour hot water + baking soda once a week to keep the pipes clear and clean.

🧴 Use enzyme cleaner

  • Decomposes organic dirt, inhibits the hatching of insect eggs, and is gentle on metal pipes.

🗑️ Manage garbage and wet items

  • Bathroom trash cans are covered and emptied daily.
  • Do not store wet towels or bath mats for a long time, as they can easily attract small black mosquitoes.

🏠 Check drains regularly

  • Especially for old buildings or low-rise units, make sure there are no cracks or water seepage points.

💡 Editor's Tips

  • 🌟Clean first and then prevent insects . Spraying insecticide alone can only kill adult insects, and the eggs will still hatch.
  • 🌟Hot water + baking soda + white vinegar is a safe and effective natural method.
  • 🌟Anti -insect floor drains are a magical tool for Hong Kong bathrooms to solve the long-term problem of flying insects. They can be solved with just a few dozen mosquitoes.
  • 🌟 If flying insects continue to appear in large numbers, it may be a problem with the sewage pipe or the unit above. Notify the property management for inspection.
  • 🌟 It is not recommended to spray insecticide in the bathroom for a long time, because the humid environment will cause the chemical ingredients to remain longer.

💬Editor’s summary :
Most flying insects in Hong Kong bathrooms originate from damp environments and accumulated sewage in drains. To completely eliminate them, first remove the eggs and clean the drains → then install insect repellents → and finally, perform regular maintenance . This will ensure a long-term insect-free environment. Remember, flying insects are a warning sign of environmental problems; simply spraying insecticide won't solve the problem; addressing the source is key! 🛁✨

Back to blog
【家居小貼士】

See more...

View all
1 3
View all