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Why is there a line of ants marching through my bathroom?
Fortunately, most ants found in the bathroom do not do much real damage.
Why Are There Ants in My Bathroom?
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If you think ants are onlyattracted to the food in your kitchen, you’re wrong.
Bathrooms provide an environment that is just as enticing for ants.
Bathrooms are warm and humid and have a steady supply of water and food.
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Access
Bathrooms have multiple points of easy access for ants.
Ants can even make their way through drains and open vent pipes.
Moisture
Ants need water to survive and bathrooms are an ideal source of moisture.
Standing water left on the floor or in a tub or shower stall attracts ants.
Leaky faucets, toilets, pipes, and water-damaged wood are other spots that attract ants.
A clogged drain is ant heaven because it is filled with both water and food sources that ants crave.
Food
The food ants thrive on in the bathroom is not what we think of as food.
Human hair and dead skin cells are treats to ants.
Since ants have highly developed odor receptors, perfumed cosmetics, bathing, and hair care products are enticing.
Blobs of toothpaste and unemptied trash cans are two more food sources.
Soap scum that combines the fats from soap and body soil is a jackpot food for ants.
Once you identify their entry points, you should take these three steps.
Clean the Bathroom
Give all of the surfaces in your bathroom athorough cleaning.
Remove soap scum from bathtubs, shower enclosures, and sinks.
Clean bathroom counters and replace lids on any open containers, especially lotions and toothpaste.
Empty and wash trashcans.
Correct Plumbing Issues
Remove hair from drains and unclog slow-running drains.
Repair leaky pipes and faucets and seal any visible gaps.
Treat the Infestation
Use one or more of these methods to get rid of the ants.
Want more cleaning and organizing tips?
A mixture of sugar, laundry borax, and water will create a toxic food supply for the ants.
Chen J, Oi DH.Naturally Occurring Compounds/Materials as Alternatives to Synthetic Chemical Insecticides for Use in Fire Ant Management.Insects.
11, 2020, pp.
- doi:10.3390/insects11110758
Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
National Pesticide Information Center.
