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Ants, the typical unsought guests, always tend to show up at all the places they are not needed at, especially where food is involved. So when you see an ‘ant squad’ roaming around your kitchen, it is not surprising at all, right?
But why are there ants in my bathroom? Unless I am up with baking some sweet goodies or snacking inside, their presence in the bathroom is quite unexplainable.
Maintaining your bathroom to stay clean and disinfected is one of the first steps to keep away any pests from your entire home.
Why are there Ants in my bathroom? – 3 main reasons
However, there are some factors inside the bathroom, which are very difficult to be avoided at 100% if the toilet is being used.
Moisture
If one talks about the species of ants found in the bathroom, there are more than 700 different types of ants alone in, for instance, one state. Not all of this enter and nest inside houses.
Some of these may get into your house simply because it is an open food and water source for them. However, the presence of moisture ants is alarming.
Moisture ants, with yellow-colored workers, are usually as long as 4-4.5mm, lengthwise. What problem does this ant species create with its presence? As the name suggests, these ants have a habit of nesting in different areas with high moisture.
When they nest indoor, however, it means that the foundations or the wooden floors have some moisture damage. This is especially true in the case of bath traps.
What is it indicating? When moisture ants are present, it can be inferred that there are some plumbing leaks or issues in various areas of your house, which may also include the crawlspaces.
This calls for immediate action to either replace the wooden parts or fix the plumbing matter of your house, whichever relevant.
Regardless of anything you do, when a bathroom is being used, it is almost impossible to keep it dry. As implied by its name, it is that place where one shower, bathes, flushes and washes.
The unnoticed water leaks may also cause the decay of wood and other materials, which may turn out as food for these ants.
Looking after leaky fixtures and wiping water spills is highly essential. Nevertheless, it is also not possible for a bathroom to be kept thoroughly water-free.
Skin Cells/Hair Cells
Ants are known to forage for food and water. So, keeping your bathroom and home clean would prevent ants from making it a target. Decaying hair, dirt, and food that build up in home plumbing sinks look like a food buffet for ants.
Garbage bins should also be properly disposed and cleaned regularly because the residue will also attract ants.
Each time you walk into the bathroom to brush your teeth, wash your hands, shower, or comb your hair, you are creating a trigger that may draw ants in.
Disgusting as it sounds, ants are attracted to the chemical odors in your bathroom, scents coming from your drain, and even fermented hair.
That’s why bathrooms are one of the most common places in the home that ants like to turn into their homes.
Odors
The different kinds of odors arising from a bathroom can attract ants inside. If the shower drain or bathtub drain has hair filled and tangled in it, it is very disgusting for us but is a very favorable spot for the stagnant water to accumulate.
Ants also consider this place a good source of food and water and are hence very attracted to the scent given off by the drain. You may not be able to smell it, but the ants can!
The presence of ants in the bathrooms is attributed to the summer season by many homeowners. However, unfortunately, this may indicate something even worse. So, what can be done with this problem and how to get rid of ants in the bathroom naturally?
Wood, which is hot and wet, will always attractants, which is present in an ample amount in your bathroom. The water leaking into the wood may be coming from the area surrounding the sink or tub.
Naturally, this attraction shall be warded off by sealing any and every crack present in your bathroom – even those present between the tiles and at the tub rim.
Getting rid of ants in your bathroom
The moisture is kept in check, and the shower is kept dry. Caulk can also be applied; however, when applying it, ample curing time must be ensured, implying that the bathroom shall not be used for at least 24-36 hours.
Brush regularly and use a cleanser for the showers as well. Remove any hair accumulated from the drains and stoppers, at least once a week.
One home remedy to get rid of ants is to pour equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar to help them clean the plumbing drain of food and grease residue. Let it stay for around 10 minutes, before pouring down some hot water in it.
You may also read our guide about getting rid of gnats in bathroom.
When regular cleaning is exercised coupled with this home remedy, the ants can be kept off your home plumbing system and bathrooms for quite a while. Why did we say just for a while?
Because one can not see if there is a presence of food and or other residues inside the plumbing pipes’ lining, attracting more ants, it is also quite challenging to detect the leaks behind the foundation and walls of a house, unless it is too late.
Getting rid of ants in your bathroom isn’t an easy job. However, if you do absolutely nothing right now, they may cause an issue in your entire plumbing system as they look for water sources.
By the end of reading this, you will now be well aware of your everyday question, “why are there ants in my bedroom?”. Having provided all the reasons and a few remedies for the issue as well, we all are heading towards mission kill ants!