How to Get Rid of Weevils in the Bathroom: Quick and Easy Solutions

Dealing with weevils in the bathroom can be a pesky problem. These small beetles, characterized by their noticeable snouts, often seek shelter indoors when weather conditions become unfavorable.

Weevils can enter your home through cracks or openings, making their way into your bathroom. In this article, we will explore methods to effectively eliminate these unwelcome guests and prevent future infestations. Stay tuned to learn helpful tips and tricks for maintaining a weevil-free bathroom space.

Identifying Weevils in the Bathroom

Types of Weevils

Weevils are small beetles with distinct snouts, and several types might be found in your bathroom. The most common bathroom invaders include:

• Rice weevil: 1/8 – 1/4 inch, narrow, reddish-brown to black, with 4 faint reddish to yellowish marks on wing covers (source)
• Black vine weevil: 3/8 inch, dark black or brown, flightless, with a curved snout and elbowed antennae (source)
• Grain weevil: Similar to rice weevil, but cannot fly and lacks the reddish to yellowish marks on wing covers
• Strawberry root weevil: 1/4 inch, dark brown, round abdomen, and lies in a C-shape when disturbed

Common Bathroom Bugs Mistaken for Weevils

Though weevils can be a problem, other small bugs occasionally found in the bathroom might be confused with them. To help you identify the type of pest, check out the following comparison table:

Remember to pay attention to their appearance and behaviors to ensure a proper identification. After determining the type of bug in your bathroom, you can plan the most effective method for removal and prevention.

Causes of Weevils in the Bathroom

Food Sources and Breeding Grounds

Weevils are attracted to places with easy access to food sources. In your bathroom, they can find moisture and organic materials that they feed on. For example:

• Produce: If you keep any fruits or vegetables in the bathroom, weevils may be drawn to them.
• Food supply: Accidentally bringing food items, like snacks, into the bathroom could also attract weevils.

Weevils can also use your bathroom as a breeding ground if they find favorable conditions. In particular, moist environments and any place with decaying organic matter provide suitable habitats for them.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can also encourage weevils to enter your bathroom. Some of these factors include:

• Artificial light: Weevils can be attracted to artificial light sources, like bathroom lights, especially when it is hot and dry outside¹.
• Vents: Weevils enter buildings by crawling through cracks or openings, so they might be using vents to access your bathroom¹.
• Moisture: Bathrooms typically have higher moisture levels, making them ideal environments for weevils¹.

To reduce the chances of weevils infesting your bathroom, consider addressing these factors. For example, properly sealing vents and managing moisture levels could help prevent weevil invasions.

Comparison table of factors attracting weevils in different rooms:

Prevention and Control Measures

Cleaning Strategies

• Regularly vacuum your bathroom, especially around corners, to remove weevils, larvae, and eggs.
• Use a disinfectant on surfaces to eliminate bacteria and insects like cockroaches.
• Clean and organize your pantry to avoid pantry pests, as they can migrate to the bathroom from other areas.
• Check and clean any stored textiles, as some weevil species may infest them.

Sealing Cracks and Gaps

• Seal cracks and gaps around window shields, pipes, and bathroom fixtures to prevent weevil infestation.
• Address any water leaks to minimize insects’ attraction to moisture.
• Install or repair window screens to keep unwanted weevils out.

Proper Food Storage

• Store dry goods such as rice, flour, cereals, fruits, seeds, beans, and nuts in airtight containers.
• Avoid using cardboard or plastic, as they can be easily penetrated by weevil larvae. Opt for metal or glass containers.

Example: Store rice in a sealed glass container instead of a plastic bag.

Note: Pesticides, such as permethrin and bifenthrin, may be used as a last resort but are generally not recommended for bathroom use due to potential health risks. Always prioritize cleaning, sealing, and proper food storage as the primary prevention and control measures.

Reader Emails

Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.

Letter 1 – Weevils

I live in a bi-level home, and have been there for 7 years now. All of a sudden this year I have a new bug aprox 3/16 long with 6 legs and 2 antenna, 1 on each side of what looks like an anteater’s snout. I have a coal stove in my finished basement so it is warm there. These bugs seem to be mostly on one of two white throw rugs in the middle of the floor, or can be found on the concrete floor next to any white dry wall. They appear to have a short life span, crawl only, no jumping, and so far have not been found upstairs. What are they and how do I get rid of them? Oh yeah. they are brown in color.
thank you
Bob Whitford

Robert responds:
You are correct, I was just visited today by our local exterminator. In the fall I put a bag of scratch grain that was given to me in my
basement so I could feed the spring turkeys. Well, looks like I get to see more than just turkeys around my house. His solution is to remove the grain & clean the area. This should stop the bug problem. Do you agree?

To which "What’s That Bug?" replies:
Congratulations Robert.
Cleaning out the grain in the basement is a good start. Hopefully, the pantry beetles did not get as far as the kitchen. They can foul even the best homemaker’s flour and other grain products. I have even found weevils in the dry mushrooms.
Have a nice day.

Letter 2 – Floridian Weevils Mating: Myllocerus undatus Marshall, a weevil new to the Western Hemisphere

White and Black Beetles
Hi Bugfolks,
Awesome site! Thanks!
I’ve browsed your beetles, but didn’t see this one. They’re all over my yard, on cassia, grapefruit, pine, and worse yet my butterfly host plants! Are they just contributing to the swiss cheese look on the leaves, or are they going after my butterfly eggs or caterpillars like this wasp looking creature that I’ve seen killing the caterpillars? Both the beetle and the wasp are in Palm Beach and Broward counties in south east Florida. The beetles are about the size of a large pea (slightly stepped on – they’re longer than round) and hide under the leaf when I get near with a camera then drop off (hopefully to the ground and not my shoe… they make ya hop!) the leaf when I flip it over to get a picture (which is good when I go beetle removing in the evening with a ziplock and flashlight – just hold the bag under the leaf and tap… in they go). I’d love to know the proper name for them.
Thanks Very Much,
Stephanie Sanchez

Hi Stephanie,
Your wasp photo did not attach. The Beetles are some type of Weevil, the largest family of insects, Curculionidae. Here is Eric Eaton’s assessment: “Ok, the beetles are definitely weevils of some sort, and strictly vegetarian:-) I’d see if they aren’t among the “featured creatures” that the Florida Ag department (IFAS) has made web page fact sheets for. They certainly are distinctive. Eric ” We checked all the weevils on the site and couldn’t find a match.

Update: (12/02/2006)
Floridian weevils mating
Re: your photo of “Floridian Weevils Mating” 10/18/2005, I found this alert on the U FL website which looks like the same weevil to me:
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/weevil-pest-alert.html
There’s a native floridian version and a new invasive asian version, which looks more like these photos to me. We seem to have them too, though they haven’t yet been reported on the west coast of Florida, according to the article.
-Miriam Wallace
Sarasota, FL

Thanks Miriam,
You appear to be correct.

Letter 3 – Gorgojo a Mexican Weevil

thanks for helping me to identify the other residents of my home. fotograf this arthropods has become a hobby to me (there is always somthing new) . theone named “bico4” here is called “gorgojo” and this was about an inch long.
Daniel Vazques Abarca

Hi Daniel,
The “gorgojo” is a type of Weevil. These are beetles from the family Curculionidae. They are frequently plant pests. I am also going to forward your letter to our beetle expert Dan, who may have additional information for you. We did a google search for Gorgojo and found numerous sites in Spanish. The weevil was identified as Insectos plagas: GORGOJO – Otiorrynchus sulcatus. This site states: “Los adultos, que aparecen a finales de primavera, comen en los bordes de las hojas pero no tiene importancia en cuanto a da

Letter 4 – Australian Elephant Weevil

Bug from Perth, Western Australia
Dear Bugman,
I found this ugly little bugger in my house in Perth, Western Australia. I have never seen one before any where in Australia. Can you help me identify it. (I have kept him in a jar for posterity) He looks like a huge flea/fly combination with small proboscis. In addition to the original photo I have added one with a scale beside the bug to show you actual size.
Regards
James Lybrand

Hi James,
You have a species of Weevil. Weevils are sometimes called Snout Beetles or Bill Beetles and belong to the Family Curculionidae, the insect family with the most species. I will try to get you additional information.

Update: 29 November 2008
Since our site migration last summer, we have had much work to do reclassifying old postings from our archives. Since this entry was originally posted, we have identified this unusual Australian Weevil as an Elephant Weevil, Orthorhinus cylindrirostris . Substantiating photos can be found on the Brisbane Insect Site and an Australian Forestry Images Website.

Letter 5 – Cycad Weevil

Strange Bug!!
Hey! This bug Landed on my windshield today!!! I had seen your site some time ago while I was trying to identify another bug(which just so happened to be a waterbug).. Anyway I just happened to be on my way home, and I try to always keep my camera with me, which(lucky me) has digital macro, so I got a decent shot!! I am hoping you could help me identify it, it was just TINY!!!! I would say maybe 2 millimeters Long!! NO JOKE it was tiny, but it flew away before I could get a better pic.. Its Orange and black and has 4 normal size legs that were attached to its abdomen and 2 MUCH larger ones attached to its thorax, or at least appeared to be legs, then on the front of its head directly between its eyes were two kind of like feelers or antanae I’m not sure, and then between those was something like a maxilla, or something.. Well, hope you can help, I’ve never seen this one before.. I’m in Sarasota, FL USA, so maybe they just hide, or its a traveler!! THANKS!!!
Butterfly

Hi Butterfly,
Knowing this was a species of Weevil, we quickly located the Cycad Weevil, Rhopalotria slossoni, on BugGuide. Once we had a name, we found that the Cycad Weevil ranges from Miami to the Everglades, and that it is a significant pollinator of the Cycad Zamia pumila.

Letter 6 – Brazilian Weevil

Hi!
We found this bug in the grounds of our friend’s house just outside Sao Paulo in Brazil. Any ideas what it might be? We think it looks like a bug from a Disney film it’s so cute!
Thanks v much
Chloe

Hi Chloe,
All we can say for sure is it is from the family of beetles known as Weevils.

Letter 7 – A Real Melodramatic Saga Continues!!! Unknown Weevil is Eurhinus magnificus

Please help!
Yesterday, my four year old entomologist found this outstanding bug at a wildlife rescue place. It is near farmlands (strawberries, squashes, etc). I have had one person help identify it as a snout beetle or weevil, but could you help be more specific so we can learn more about it? Thank you! Joanna

Hi Joanna,
Needless to say, we are very intrigued by your insect, a Weevil or Snout Beetle from the largest insect Family Curculionidae. We are not familiar with your species and one expert we questioned even suggested the possibility your images were Photoshop™ enhanced, a theory we quickly dismissed. We did some web research and found a tribe of Weevils known as Leptopiinae, the Painted Weevils, including the genuses Gymnopholus and Eupholus which are described as “very handsome and metallic blue, green or reddish”. They are found in New Guinea and Indonesia. That is the best we can do at the moment, but we would love to know where your Weevil was found and perhaps we can learn something more concrete.

HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE!
We are more than excited as well–I was about to nix him and glue him to a card to start Max’s bug collection, but I think we’ll wait! We are in Miami, Florida, USA. This is so exciting–I wasn’t too impressed with Max’s finds up until now (they mostly consisted of cockroaches-EW!), but this has definitely peaked my interest! We wrote to one guy and sent the same pictures–he wrote back and offered to trade a bug book in exchange for our weevil. We’ve decided to hold onto him for a bit. We would like to keep him alive, though, but if we can’t, do you have suggestions for preserving him? We “carded” a practice beetle with a little elmer’s glue and his body color and shape seems to be good. Is this sufficient? I am quite anxious to hear more! Feel free to call: 305-251-9091. Thank you!
Joanna

Ed. Note: Eric Eaton passes on the following advice on dealing with Exotic specimes:
Dear Friends:
Daniel Marlos of “What’s that bug?” was kind enough to pass along your e-mail that accompanied the photo.I am personally unfamiliar with this insect, and wonder if it might not be an exotic species. If that is the case, someone in the U.S.D.A. (Department of Agriculture) needs to see the thing. Urestricted “free trade” is leading to many more accidental importations of pest insects. The authorities need our help in documenting newly-arrived species so as to thwart outbreaks. Please consider contacting an official soon, while the insect is still alive. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Eric R. Eaton

(04/13/2005)
Spoke to a guy at the USDA this morning and we’re going to drop him off this afternoon. He *thinks* he has collected this species before, but either way, it’s so newly established here that they need to document its existence here, so they’ll send our guy off the Gainesville for positive identification and then HOPEFULLY, Max will get him back. Cross your fingers and I’ll let you know what they think he is! Thank you for all of your help!
Joanna
P.S. Just so you know….the guy still couldn’t identify it, but he recalls having caught one of these himself a number of years ago. He’s sending it to Gainesville, Florida for cataloguing, but promises that we’ll get it back. (Let’s hope!)

Please keep us posted as to the latest developments in this continuing melodrama Joanna. Sadly, What’s That Bug? is currently down due to heavy traffic, but we will return to the web in May and we want to continue to follow your saga.

(04/14/2005)
Thank you so much for all of your help! Another entomologist I have contacted thinks it may be Eurhinus magnificus, but it has been sent to Gainesville to make sure and to catalogue him. I am assured that he will be returned to me in about a week to become the crown jewel in my son’s bug collection. We will however, be on the outlook for more and any subsequent ones I’d be happy to send to you! Thanks to Eric Eaton as well for putting us in touch with the proper authorities (i.e. USDA)–please pass along my appreciation (and the identification).
Joanna

Hi Joanna,
This surely is interesting. I checked on Eurhinus magnificus and it is from Costa Rica, but no images. It sounds like you might be on your way to becoming an entomologist as well as Max.

Update: 17 June 2009, 7:27 AM
In trying to identify an unusual Weevil from Costa Rica today, we stumbled upon this great link with the life cycle of Eurhinus magnificus.

Letter 8 – Australian Elephant Weevil

What about this bug that I found on my living room floor, in Perth, Australia?
thanks.
Paul M Bartley
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hi Paul,
You have some species of Weevil, Family Curculionidae, the largest Family of Beetles. They are plant pests. Sorry, I can’t be more specific.

Update: 29 November 2008
Since our site migration last summer, we have had much work to do reclassifying old postings from our archives. Since this entry was originally posted, we have identified this unusual Australian Weevil as an Elephant Weevil, Orthorhinus cylindrirostris . Substantiating photos can be found on the Brisbane Insect Site and an Australian Forestry Images Website.

Letter 9 – Colorful Weevil from the Philippines

Spotted Beetle
Location: northern Philippines
September 7, 2011 3:43 am
Hello there, I’m so glad I found this site – can you tell me what this beetle is? It’s about an inch long and I’ve only seen these in plain black and this one with spots is unusual. Thank you!
Signature: jessimcph

Dear jessimcph,
Your photo is somewhat blurry and lacking good resolution, so it is difficult to be certain, but your Weevil bears a physical similarity to this lovely spotted Weevil from the Philippines identified as Pachyrrhynchus sp. on the Science Photo Library website.

Letter 10 – Avocado Weevil

Subject:  Well-camouflaged beetle?
Geographic location of the bug:  Burns, TN 37029 (Montgomery Bell State Park)
Date: 08/13/2018
Time: 12:18 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi–
I saw this bug on July 23rd of this year and was impressed by its effective camouflage on the decaying bridge rail. It looks somewhat like a Southwestern Ironclad Beetle, but Tennessee is well out of that beetle’s range. Any idea what else it could be?
How you want your letter signed:  Curious in Tennessee

Dear Curious in Tennessee,
We agree that your beetle resembles the Ironclad Beetle found from Texas westward, and we thought it resembled a Weevil, so we searched through Beetles of Eastern North America by Arthur V. Evans and we quickly located the Avocado Weevil, Heilipus apiatus.  The book states:  “Adults are found year-round, but reach peak activity in summer, found on sassafras (Sassafras) and under pine (Pinus) bark.  Adults and larvae are serious pests of avocados (Persea); adults eat young fruits, while larvae bore and develop in base of trunk.  Virginia to Florida west to Tennessee.”  There are images on Forestry Images and on BugGuide.

Perfect! Many thanks for your quick reply. I’m going share your reply with my curious Facebook friends and encourage donations to WTB.
Best,
Maria
(aka Curious in Tennessee)