Do you find yourself constantly battling ants in the bathroom? If so, this is far from an uncommon problem. In fact, it’s a common issue that many homeowners must address eventually. There are several reasons why you may be dealing with these annoying critters in your restroom and understanding them can help you take action to keep them away for good.
What causes ants in the bathroom? Ants are in your bathroom because they are looking for food, moisture, and shelter. A bathroom can provide all three of these needs. Ants love the sugary residue left behind after using toiletries and grooming products like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Also, dead skin and hair are food sources for ants that are often in bathrooms.
Lastly, bathrooms tend to be humid and provide a safe shelter for ants.
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Also, the dampness of floor mats and shower areas create ideal conditions for ants to collect food and water. If your bathroom is near an outdoor space, such as a garden or lawn, it can make it even easier for ants to enter your home.
If your bathroom sink is partially clogged, the organic materials that are mixed into your dispensed toothpaste will attract ants. Clogged drains also provide moist places for ants to stay, as their colonies need moisture to survive.
Furthermore, bins in bathroom can contain traces of skin, hair fragments, mucus that are cause ants to enter the cans to feed.
Finally, the use of air fresheners can also attract ants in bathrooms. The sweet fragrance and residue from aerosol sprays are likely to attract these insects.
The grime and dirt that can amass in a dirty bathroom will also make it a target for ants. It’s important to keep your bathroom clean and free of food and moisture sources to discourage them from entering.
Now we will discuss the methods to prevent ants in the bathroom.
How to Prevent Ants from Entering your Bathroom
- Identify what is attracting the ants to your bathroom – Check to see if you have any leaks in your bathroom, as this can be an access point for ants. Additionally, wipe down any condensation that may be causing dripping water in the corners. Clean your bathroom regularly – Regularly wiping down surfaces and mopping floors can help.
- Trace the Trail Used for Entry – Ants will follow trails left by other ants to food sources in bathrooms. Track down the entry point of the ants. This used a crack or crevice in old sealants made of Chaulk. Seal this discovered entry point with a waterproof caulk or plaster.
- Eliminate the Colony – Ants that have found food and water in your bathroom will return with these nutrients to their colony. You need to allow them to return to their colony with a poison that will kill the colony. Use one cup of honey and one cup of borax and streak it along the trail for entry. Make sure to keep your bathroom door closely because this chemical is dangerous to pets.
- Essential Oils – Essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender can be used to deter ants in your bathroom. If you create a spray with peppermint and tea tree plus water, it will kill the ants instantly if you were to spray them directly.
Conclusion
Ants in the bathroom can be a nuisance, but with a little knowledge and preventive measures, you can keep them out of your space. Knowing what causes ants to enter the bathroom and acting can also help you protect your home from further infestations. To keep ants away for good, make sure to identify any potential entry points and keep your bathroom clean and free of food sources.