How To Get Rid Of Ants In Bathroom Drain | Proven Techniques & Tips

Ants will penetrate the most challenging places just to find food. One would wonder why they would suddenly appear in the bathroom, even more so in a bathroom drain. This happens because they continually search for moisture and food debris.

So, how to get rid of ants in the bathroom drain? Locate and seal any existing and potential entry points, keep the shower dry, utilize ant baits, perform dehumidification, and apply insecticides.

These methods are effective for every type of ants that are likely to invade your bathroom drains, such as argentine ants and carpenter ants.

Effective Ways to Get Rid of Ants in Bathroom Drains

1. Locate and Seal Ants’ Entry Point

Ants can get into the house through any opening. So you should find out the entry point of these unwanted insects. Start by observing their behavior and you might trace them back to a nearby garden.

They can crawl through any crevice or hole in the house, especially around the bathroom area. Take time to find all ants’ entry points and seal them with caulk to prevent them from moving further. Be aware that the bathroom may not be their only entry point.

2. Keep the Shower Dry

If you have a bathtub, the wood behind it must always stay dry. Whenever there is a leak, it is usually from the bathtub. The water penetrates the wood and makes it dump. As it seeps through, it gets the wood studs wet, creating a dump environment.

Clean up and dry up after taking a shower. Let the shower get dry and allow ventilation through the bathroom. In short, to get rid of these annoying creatures, seal the cracks, and make sure the shower is clean and dry.

3. Dehumidification

Dehumidification involves getting rid of atmospheric moisture. Ants thrive in moist areas. The steam in the bathroom should not cloud the area because that will attract the ants.

During the process of dehumidification, leakages should be taken care of. A plumber should fix any dripping pipes or water leakages. Ants also like to make a home from the clogs such as human hair and other dirt.

Use of Insecticides

Insecticides work best to clear insect infestation. Acquire an ant insecticide spray to spray on corners carefully and moist areas in the bathroom to prevent them from coming through the drain.

The drain clogs solution products can also be used. Your bathroom should drain with ease. After using chemicals, avoid touching or handling any food before thoroughly cleaning yourself and any surfaces that come in contact with the chemicals. Insecticides could pose a danger to either you or your family.

4. Ant Baits

Ant baits are one of the most effective methods of eradicating ants from your bathroom drain. The following ant baits have proven to work amazingly:

Home Remedies for Getting Rid of the Ants in the Bathroom Drain

You don’t have to wait for a pest control company because you can use home remedies to get rid of ants. These remedies are known to be effective and have been used for ages:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Sprinkle the baking soda down the drain and then follow it with an equal quantity of vinegar. Due to the acidity of the vinegar and the strong odor it produces, the bathroom should be well ventilated.

Open all your windows as well as doors if it is necessary. The mixture will form a bubbling reaction that will kill all the ants in the drain. After completing this step, flash the dead ants and rinse the remains of the baking soda with hot water.

Soap and Water

Another great remedy is a mixture of soap and water. Pour equal parts of these ingredients inside a bottle and spray on the ants directly. Make sure to spray on the entry points too.

Boiled Water

Another ant killer is boiled water. Use your kettle to boil water and pour it into the bathroom drain to kill ants. It’s a fast method that works effectively too, just make sure you don’t get yourself burned in the process.

Salt

Salt is regarded as a natural killer of insects, including ants. However, this only works to repel the ants and not kill them. To make salt effective in killing ants, mix it with hot water and pour or spray it on the ants.

Strong Scents

Ants hate strong smells, thus, cinnamon is among the natural repellants of ants. To achieve effective results, mix cinnamon powder with some essential oil. The mix will produce a strong smell that will keep ants away.

Identify Ant Food Sources

Since ants constantly search for food they can bring back to the colony, keep all your food safe and sealed. The bathroom drain should be free of juice or coffee because these residues attract ants.

Pay attention to the sugary foods and clean up any spills around the bathroom and kitchen. Food handling should be done carefully not to attract insects. If the foods are sealed in airtight containers, ants cannot access them. The best way to prevent ant infestation is by keeping food away from them.

Related: What Do Ants Eat? | Ant Feeding Habits

Vacuuming

Once you identify a trail of ants, deal with it immediately. Borax and diatomaceous earth have been known to eliminate ants when used correctly. So after sprinkling these substances, vacuum any hideouts.

Follow the trails to vacuum all the ants and seal the entry. Once you are done vacuuming, the vacuum cleaner should be cleaned. This will prevent insects attached to the cleaner from returning to the house. Thoroughly clean up the ant trails with soapy water or a vinegar mixture.

Natural Ant Spray

If you face severe ant infestations, you can get rid of them quickly and efficiently by using natural ant sprays. Mix peppermint oil with tea tree oil and cayenne pepper in a bottle. This mixture should be used to spray bathroom floor corners and other dump areas surrounding the bathroom.

Once ants get into contact with the bait solution, they die instantly. After this, make sure to clean the bathroom thoroughly and clean the dead ants. The residue should also be washed off to leave the bathroom sparkling clean. Since ants like to move around, you can place these bait traps on their pathways.

Regularly Throw Garbage

Keep a close eye on the garbage. Always remember to seal the garbage bag and regularly clean the trashcan. Not only will this prevent the foul smell, but it also prevents ant infestation. Garbage should be taken out regularly, if possible, daily. 

Cleaning your garbage ensures you are not leaving any residues that might attract ants. Clean the area around your garbage dumping point because the leftovers or spills you may fail to see would still attract ants.

Related: How to Get Rid of Ants | Safe and Effective Methods

List of Sources

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center. (2018). When Ants Invade.
Tschinkel, W. R., & King, J. R. (2007), Targeted removal of ant colonies in ecological experiments, using hot water.
UCSF California Childcare Health Program. (2016). Integrated Pest Management: Ants.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Know Your Ants.