Ants just like any other pest can be very frustrating to get rid of, and especially when they invade the inside of your home. In case you have an ant problem in your bathroom, it might seem like a tough problem to resolve since it will be very difficult to determine the location of their nest. While pesticides are a sure way to eliminate their infestation, over the counter solutions are not very effective against the full-blown infestation.
It’s not uncommon for carpenter ants to invade your bathroom, this is because they are attracted to rotting wood, scents, and chemical odours from drains or in your home plumbing system. If your plumbing drain has a leak or has not been used for some time with stagnant water, it could be a contributing factor to your infestation.
Why are ants attracted to my bathroom?
Determining the reason why ants are attracted to your bathroom is the first step to helping you get rid of them. Ants will invade your bathroom for either, moisture, food or odours. Fermented human hair and stagnated water will attract a variety of insects to your bathroom. Since your bathroom offers a steady supply of water, it is also likely to attract insects.
Once you identify what is attracting them to your bathroom, eliminating them will be much easier. The first thing you need to do is to observe their behaviour. What locations do they frequent inside your bathrooms? Where are they coming from? What are they doing? Seal any cracks or crevices that may be giving access to your bathroom with seal or caulk. Get rid of stagnating water by practicing good cleaning practices.
How to get rid of ants in your bathroom
While it’s normal to find an ant or two in your house during summer, discovering a swarm of ants is pretty distressing. Fortunately, it’s not uncommon to have a whole colony of ants in your bathroom. At first, they may seem harmless, but an unwanted ant in your house can cause damages in the long run that may amount to hundred thousand-dollar repairs. Getting rid of ants in your house might not be as difficult as other household pests, but it still requires some patience and skill.
Non-toxic sprays
Sprays work perfectly when killing ants in contact. Several sprays are available and can be bought at your local hardware store. However, before you begin zapping these little critters, you need to be aware of a couple of things when using this remedy. Use non-toxic sprays in smaller less ventilated rooms like your bathroom. Also, this method will not get rid of your ant problem immediately.
Ant Traps
It doesn’t matter how many ants you kill; they are still likely to come back. Due to their size, they have the capability of hiding in small spaces and cracks. Because of this, adding traps in your extermination arsenal could be a good idea. Ant traps work by attracting the ants with food that is laced with poison. The whole idea is to get them to take the poisoned food back to the colony infecting the rest of the ants and the queen. Most ant traps are designed to be child resistant, making it a bonus for households with pets and children.
Clean your bathroom
On rare occasions will you get pests invading a clean, tidy place. Therefore, your first line of defence needs to be a clean, tidy bathroom. Ants are always looking for food, water and other odours from your bathroom is considered food to ants. Up your cleaning routine, always ensuring your toilet is always clean. Regularly wiping it with disinfectant should keep pests away. Also, ensure you have proper drainage. Bathrooms harbour tones of moisture that attracts ants. Avoid leaving puddles of water and reservoir standing for long periods. In case you have a drainage problem in your house have it fixed immediately.
Seal cracks and replace broken tiles
Broken or cracked tiles offer the best living conditions for carpenter ants. These cracks offer safe hiding spots and are also moist to boot. Whether you have an ant infestation or not, it’s a good idea to repair broken tiles. Also check for cracks and crevices in the wall, floor or anywhere that could give them access into to your bathroom. Seal them shut with caulk. Ensure your toilet has adequate caulking where it gets into contact with your bathroom floor.
If you suspect you have an ant infestation in your bathroom and you are unsure of what to do, contact your local ant control Toronto company for assistance. An ant infestation in your bathroom is not only a nuisance; it also presents potential structural damages that could cost you thousands of dollars in repair.