Probably everyone has seen a tern at some point. These tiny animals, small shiny bugs, appear in bathrooms and toilets, especially at night. They like the warmth, humidity and darkness. Just because you see them disappearing into the cracks between the tiles once in a while at night doesn’t mean it’s a big problem. But if the bugs start appearing more frequently, often during the day, it may be time to take notice.

They look innocent and in many cases are not a sign of serious complications. But at the same time, their frequent presence in large numbers can signal more serious problems inside your home. Terns can warn of high humidity in the home, often even water leaks and hidden technical faults.

Moisture and water leaks

Terns probably live in every home. But they usually hide under the bath, under sinks, in walls. They love an environment with high humidity that is poorly ventilated. That’s why they breed very well in bathrooms. If your rooms are very damp, if you don’t ventilate after bathing, or if your sink drips, for example, terns can take over a bathroom or toilet very quickly.

Experts literally warn that if you see terns frequently, not only at night but also in daylight, this is direct evidence of a leak in the water pipes or other technical faults. In addition, it is typical for these bugs to be found in the bathroom, toilet or basements. However, if you encounter them in the kitchen, for example, this is a problem you should address. In addition to water leaks, condensation on poorly insulated walls or a lack of ventilation can be the origin of the damp.

Property damage

Terns are almost harmless to humans. They don’t bite, they don’t sting, they don’t transmit any diseases. As soon as they sense movement, they hide between the cracks from where they crawl into the room. However, in a damp environment, they are primarily looking for food. Naturally, they can cause damage to property. They like to feed on starchy substances, glue, paper, books, packaging materials or wallpaper.

They are mainly found in bathrooms and toilets, but can also appear in the kitchen, where they eat dry food supplies. ━━ They are mainly found in bathrooms and toilets, but can also appear in the kitchen, where they eat dry food supplies. ( Source: Hans /  Pixabay )

If you have a long-term problem with fishnets, they can seriously damage some rooms. If the bugs are so overpopulated in your home that you can tell they’re there by the books they’ve chewed and the wallpaper they’ve damaged, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed urgently.

Watch out for other health risks

Terns are not a health problem in themselves. However, they do bring to your attention complications that can be dangerous to your health. Excessive moisture also benefits mould, which is not so harmless. Especially for people with allergies or low immunity, they are dangerous. Humid air generally causes respiratory problems, but also headaches.

In addition, humidity attracts other pests into your home. So as soon as you encounter just one single fish in your toilet or bathroom, you better start thinking right away about what you are doing wrong. Focus on regular ventilation and make sure you don’t have any pipes dripping anywhere.