How to Get Rid of Ants in Bathrooms

 

There are over 12,000 species of ants, and they play an essential role in nature. They aerate the soil to allow oxygen and water to make their way to plant roots. They take seeds into their tunnels to eat them. Then, the rest of the seed can sprout and produce a new plant. They also improve the soil because of the excess food storage and excreted waste they leave behind, providing food for other organisms.

For all the good they do outside, having them in your house is a different story. Some ants eat away at your home's wood structure, while others release a rotten smell. If they find a food source, they will return it to their home in droves. In addition, they may set up a nest and move in if they find a moist area.

You should contact pest control professionals to get rid of ants in your bathroom. Here is a guide on how to handle the ant infestation:

 

Dirty Bathroom

You may think your bathroom is clean, but it may be a different story for an ant. Ants are attracted to dirt and debris as they search for food, so cleaning thoroughly is a must, especially in hard-to-reach areas like behind the toilet or under a cabinet.

 

Leftover Food

Not many people eat meals in the bathroom, but food scraps occasionally enter this room. Any crumbs or smelly, sweet foods are like drugs to ants. Once they find it, they keep coming back. Ants love sugar, so they don't leave behind food debris, especially sweet debris.

 

Leaking

Bathrooms are where water comes in and leaves from the sink, tub, shower and toilet drains. Any leaking water that accumulates on a surface attracts ants. They need water to survive and search for it in the bathroom. Check for any standing water on the floor and repair leaks as they occur to deter these little pests.

 

Smells

Ants are particularly drawn to smells. A bathroom has many of them. Scented products in the bathroom include shampoo, soap, toothpaste, perfume, lotions, deodorants, and even hair.

Wastebaskets, floor mats, and clogged drains contribute to scent variety. Removing all scented products from a bathroom may be difficult, so it is best to keep them stored securely.


Ants on an apple

 

How to Get Rid of Ants

When ants get a dark, safe environment, away from the elements, and a steady source of food and water, they appear en masse. It doesn't mean your bathroom is a biohazard area. It is just a better place for ants to live than where they were before.

Ants make scent trails to follow from their nests to your bathroom so others can find their way. When you see ants crawling around, you can mix vinegar and water to wipe away the pheromone trail they leave behind.

If you kill an ant when you see it, other ants can sense it, and more investigate the area before carrying away the dead. It is better to put out an ant trap so they can take the poison back to their colony and wipe it out entirely.

 

Ant Repellents

Pepper, specifically cayenne pepper, repels ants. If you find the source of their entry into the outdoors, sprinkle some pepper around it, and they will avoid it. Borax is hazardous to ants, damaging their digestive tracts. To kill them, mix it with honey or peanut butter and put it along the ant trail.

Cinnamon, garlic, coffee powder, and essential oils are other toxic foods to ants. These potent aromas are too much for them and repel them easily. Make an essential oil bomb with a cotton ball and a few drops of peppermint and tea tree oil. Put it on the floor in your bathroom. It will also make the room smell amazing.

Eliminate the food and water sources; if they are still around, kill them with some of the above-mentioned methods. Then, you will only have you and your family occupying your home and a few welcome pets.