How to Get Rid of Grout Mites in the Shower Naturally

The Grout Mites are a nuisance!

They can be found living in your bathroom, which is intended to be the cleanest room of your home.

Grouts hundreds of tiny holes provide a food source for these critters.

The microorganisms that thrive in grout’s many small openings provide sustenance for these creatures, and they will stay there until you take action.

You need to get rid of Grout mites out of your shower, but this task may seem difficult at first glance.

However, by the time you’ve finished reading this guide, you’ll know exactly how to get rid of them forever!

Let’s start now!

What Are The Tiny Bugs In Your Shower?

There are many tiny bugs that can be living in your shower. Grout mites, also known as bird mites or rodent mites, are likely the culprits here.

They’re all part of the same family. They may not look like any other bug you’ve seen before, but they are easily identifiable by their behavior and food choice.

These little guys are the sole member of the Order Mesostigmata. Grout mites, sometimes known as bird mites or rodent mites, are most likely the culprits here.

They eat many things that other bugs won’t touch, including pet dander and human skin cells.

These tiny creatures can transfer from one home to another via infected material, bedding, or clothing.

Grout mites are not booklice, though. Paper, cardboard, and starch aren’t the only things they’ll consume.

What Are Grout mites?

The Grout mite is a very small bug. Grout Mites are about one to five millimeters in length, brown or black in color, and wingless.

They can’t fly, but they will often use their wings if scared. Grout mites may not even have wings at all, depending on the species.

A Grout Mite Grout mites are very small and unpleasant to deal with.

Grout Mites range in length from one to five millimeters, being brown or black in color with no wings at all.

They have a tough time flying, but if they’re fleeing danger, they may use their wings as means of escape.

Grout mite species will vary depending on the environment.

Grout mites can be found all over North America and other continents as well, living inside walls or infesting food storage areas such as pantries and cabinets.

If you don’t know Grout Mites are living in your home, you will probably notice they congregate around any area with moisture.

They can infest the grout in your shower area, around leaking pipes, or even under leaky sinks.

What do Grout Mites Look Like?

Grout mites can be as small as 0.00074 inches (0.002 cm).

Grout mites are translucent, and they have six legs that look like bristles.

Grout mites may not have wings, yet they can still fly.

The front of their bodies has two antennae and a pair of compound eyes on either side, pointing forward to help Grout mites see their prey.

The Grout Mite’s hind legs are also thicker and stronger than the front ones to assist in jumping, climbing on smooth surfaces like glass and plastic, and holding onto tiny hairs found around some plants and trees (like grass).

They use these same hind legs to grip the surface of things they eat.

When Are Grout Mites Active?

Grout mites are always on the prowl.

Grout mites are most active in the spring and summer months and appear in fewer numbers in the fall and winter.

There will be enough food to eat, reproduce, and nest in your home while it’s hot outside.

Additionally, Grout mites might emerge in the spring after spending the winter in the soil.

Where Do Grout Mites Hide?

Grout mites are not picky when it comes to food sources, and Grout Mites will eat anything that is organic.

Grout mites can be anywhere inside your home where there is water or moist areas like Grout Molds, Grouts, and Shower Grouts are found around showers, bathtubs, sinks, and tiles.

Grout mites prefer damp places like Grout Lines or showers with standing water in the drain where mold and mildew grow. 

Grout mites can survive indoors by eating dead skin cells, a fungus found on plants and trees, pollen from flowers, leaf mold (mold growing on leaves), plant roots, or decaying organic matter like animals droppings or compost piles.

Grout Mite’s favorite food is algae which grow in wet areas with poor ventilation like showers.

Grout mites will feed on bits of soil that get into your bathroom when you water the plants or sweep up the floor, and they’ll eat any dead insects found in window sills.

They’ll also feed on the mold (mold growing in bathrooms) and mildew found inside showers, especially around Grouts or Grout Lines where water collects like under tiles, the bathtub rim at the top of Grout Line seams, or next to bathroom sinks.

Grout mites can even live off leftover food particles like bread crumbs!

You might also find Grout Mites in your kitchen where they can eat food bits that fall to the floor or get stuck in Grout Lines.

Grout mites can even use Grout Lines to hide in between the Grouts of your tiled flooring, and they might also move into Grout Molds around your sink or bathtub drains.

Grout mites like Bathtubs because it’s damp inside Grout Line cracks with water constantly sitting stagnant in Grout Lines.

They’re active in the spring and summer months when Grout Lines are wet, and Grouts are damp. There are warm temperatures outside to breed in the soil or around plumbing under sinks.

Do Grout Mites Damage Your Shower?

Grout mites do not damage your shower on their own.

Grout mites will only feed off of the mold and mildew that grow in the grout lines between tiles.

Grout mites are very small but can be seen with a magnifying glass or microscope.

Because they eat only mold and mildew, these tiny insects cannot harm you physically.

Grout mites will not bite you or hurt your skin. Grout mites may also be found in books, paper, and other carbohydrates that mold readily upon contact with water.

Signs Of the Grout Mites In Your Shower

There are several signs you can look out for that may indicate Grout Mites in your shower.

You see small, white, or tan mites on the walls of your bathroom.

The corners of your shower might be stained black or brown with dust and other debris. 

Grout Mite infestations are also indicated by moldy black patches on the windowsills and stale scents that may be coming from certain regions of your bathroom.

The Grout Mite is so small it is difficult to spot them without magnification.

However, if you suspect infestation and want to remove Grout Mites yourself, there are several methods you can try before seeking professional assistance.

What Do Grout Mites Eat?

Grout mites can feed on all sorts of organic matter, such as decaying plant material.

Grout mites are also known to eat other fungi and bacteria in addition to this.

Additionally, it can be speculated that they may even feed on the fungus inside your shower grout if there is enough food available for them in that area.

However, their primary dietary focus is on fungi.

Are Grout Mites Dangerous?

The answer to this question is no. Grout mites don’t sting or bite, and they have even been known to be beneficial in terms of how their eating habits can help get rid of mildew and mold on walls.

Grout mite infestations are not dangerous at all for people who do not suffer from some sort of allergic reaction.

However, their setae can be released into the air, and this may cause an allergic response in some people that are sensitive to it.

Grout mite infestations do not carry any diseases, though, so they cannot transmit the disease directly to you or your family members if they come in contact with them.

Do Grout Mites Have Wings?

No, grout mites do not have wings.

Grout mite infestations are most often caused by them entering a new area on their own rather than spreading from one spot to another through flight.

How to Get Rid Of Grout Mites In Your Shower Naturally

There are many ways to get rid of grout mites in the shower naturally, and you do not have to resort to using harmful chemicals, sprays, and powders.

Grout mites are very tiny black bugs that live on mold spores/mold colonies.

Grout mites feed off dead organic material such as these molds, so they love finding homes in bathrooms.

Grout Mites are also known to feed off the oils and dirt on our skin, so they love being all up close and personal with us while we shower!

Getting rid of grout mites from your shower is fairly easy as long as you have a little patience.

You can try these DIY home remedies or hire a professional if you so choose.

Keep it dry at all times.

You can keep your shower dry at all times by not allowing any stagnate water to sit in the corners.

If you have tiles on your walls, be sure they are properly sealed so that no moisture can get behind them and cause mold or mildew growth.

Use a squeegee after every use of the shower to remove excess water from surfaces. 

Call a Professional

If you do not feel comfortable attempting to get rid of grout mites in your shower yourself, call a professional.

A Grout Cleaning Company will have the tools and knowledge necessary to assess any damage that may be caused by Grout Mites in your home. 

Vacuum your shower regularly

You can also use a vacuum with an attachment to get into those small cracks and crevices that Grout Mites love hiding in.

Vacuuming your bathroom on a regular basis is something you should get in the habit of doing. 

This prevents mold spores and dead mites from accumulating on bathroom tiles.

Once you have thoroughly vacuumed the grout between your tiles, you should consider using a Grout Sealer to help prevent future Grout Mite infestations in your shower.

Boric acid and Diatomaceous Earth

You could also try sprinkling Borax (a natural deodorizer) over all of the crevices and cracks in your bathroom flooring or use diatomaceous earth powder, which is a natural Grout Mite killer.

Be sure to wear a mask and gloves as diatomaceous earth can be harmful to those with sensitivities or breathing issues. 

Mix the borax or DE powder into your grout lines using either a brush, cloth, toothbrush (for smaller cracks), or some sort of duster.

Leave the mixture overnight and then remove it thoroughly the next day. 

Keep the drains clear.

Another solution to remove Grout Mites is to keep the drains clear.

This can be done by pouring boiling water down the drain every few weeks to help eliminate any grout mites that could have otherwise taken up residence in your plumbing system.

Fix any clogged drains or slow-moving water in your home as standing water has a safe haven in certain areas. Sludge, dirt, and other unwanted substances should not be present.

A clogged drain may bring in a wide range of pests, from ants to spiders and even scorpions so it’s important to keep them at bay.

Increase the temperature

You can also increase the temperature in your bathroom if it is usually damp.

The water will evaporate fast, and any Grout Mites present will be dried out as a result of this.

If you have heat lamps in your bathroom, heated tiles, or a portable heat lamp, take use of it!

When you do this, close all the windows and doors to raise the temperature.

Use vinegar

You can also use vinegar to help get rid of Grout Mites in your shower.

Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle and then spritz it over all of the surfaces in your bathroom before you go to bed at night. 

Leave this mixture overnight if possible, or for several hours depending on how much time you have.

Remove humidity

You can remove humidity using a dehumidifier or fan that is placed in your bathroom.

This will help reduce the Grout Mite population by drying them out, just be sure to empty it often so mold doesn’t have time to grow inside of the reservoir!

Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Mold Mites Naturally

How to Prevent Grout Mites From Entering Your Shower In the Future

There are a number of ways to prevent Grout Mites from entering your shower in the future.

Get a mold inspection

You can get a Grout Mites inspection if you suspect the spores are in your shower.

This will tell you where exactly they are located, enabling you to clean more thoroughly and prevent Grout Mites from entering again.

Hire professional cleaners

If that mold inspector determines Grout Mite infestation is present on some of your surfaces, it might be time to hire some professionals.

Grout Mites are very difficult for an ordinary person to remove, so you need all the help you can get.

Remove your showerhead regularly.

You should regularly clean out any showers or bathtubs where Grout Mite spores might be lurking around the grout.

Grout Mites thrive in dark, moist places, so make sure to remove the showerhead and get it cleaned every few months.

Keep your bathroom dry.

Grout Mites might be lurking in damp bathrooms, causing Grout Mite infestations if they’re not properly dried out after showers or baths.

If you want to prevent Grout Mites from entering your home, make sure to keep your bathroom as dry as possible.

Check for infestations

Another way to prevent Grout Mites from entering your home is to check for signs of infestations on a regular basis.

Look around the tub and shower, especially in areas where there may be Grout Mite’s food source: Grout.

If you find evidence of Grout Mites or their feces (which look similar to dirt), it’s time to take action.

You should inspect your bathroom on a regular basis for signs of pest infestations, particularly around sinks, drains, and cupboards.

Grout Mites are very difficult for an ordinary person to remove, so you need all the help you can get. 

Clean your shower on a regular basis

First, you will want to make sure that all cracks around your tub or tile are sealed with caulk.

If there are any other openings for mites to enter through, this is where they are most likely going to find an entryway into your home.

Second, you need to clean your shower on a regular basis. Grout Mites often reside in dark, moist areas like your bathroom tiles and grout lines.

If you want to maintain your bathroom bug-free, you’ll need to clean, vacuum, and wash it on a regular basis. 

Lastly, keeping your shower well-ventilated will help you save money by reducing Grout Mite spores in the air.

The most common cause of Grout Mites is a buildup of moisture in the property. 

Mold colonies will be reduced if your house is properly aired at all times.

Conclusion

No matter how hard you scrub, those pesky mites will find a way to come back.

The only way to get rid of them for good is to demolish their homes.

If they have infested your bathroom shower and left stains on the tile or grout, it may be time to call in an exterminator who can eradicate these pests once and for all.

As long as there’s food available, they’ll continue coming back.

So, make sure you’ve taken care of this problem before tackling any other projects around the house!