How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Bathroom and Keep Them Out

How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Bathroom and Keep Them Out

Have you ever turned on the light to see tiny ants marching across your sink or tub? Ants in your bathroom are probably the last thing you want to see, but the good news is that you can solve this problem by taking a few simple steps.

Before you get to cleaning, let’s talk about why ants love bathrooms, the types of ants you might find, and the best way to keep them from coming back!

Why Bathrooms Attract Ants in the First Place

Ants don't show up in your bathroom by accident. They want water, food, and easy access to the rest of your home.

Moisture and Water Sources

Just like most living things, ants need water to survive. Even the smallest amount of water can be enough to sustain an entire colony. Leaky faucets, wet shower floors, and even water droplets around your sink can attract thirsty ants.

Access to Food and Organic Matter

You probably don’t think of your bathroom as being a buffet, but ants sure do! They love to feed on items like: 

  • Toothpaste residue
  • Soap scum
  • Hair and skin cells
  • Makeup and beauty products
  • Other dead insects

Cracks and Entry Points in Bathroom Fixtures

Ants look for ways into your home, and bathrooms often provide that opportunity. Since they only need about 1/16th of an inch, the small cracks and gaps around pipes, windows, or where the floor meets the wall are like front doors for ants. Once one ant finds a way in and discovers water or food, it leaves a scent trail for other ants to follow.

Common Types of Ants Found in Bathrooms

Not all ants are the same! Knowing more about each species will help you better understand how to get rid of ants in the bathroom.

Small Black Ants

Little black ants are the most common and are primarily attracted to moisture. While they don't usually cause damage, they make trails along your walls, floors, and counters, making an ant infestation in bathroom areas a real nuisance.

Carpenter Ants

Often black or red-black, carpenter ants are bigger (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long). Unlike other small ants in bathroom spaces that look for water, carpenter ants can actually cause structural weakening in your home over time. They like to excavate and nest in damp wood, so bathrooms with water damage or moisture are particularly attractive.

Pharaoh Ants

These tiny, light-colored ants are only about 1/16 inch long. Pharaoh ants can be hard to get rid of because they form multiple colonies. If you use the wrong method to kill them, the colony might split and create more nests. This is because Pharaoh Ants have multiple queens!

How to Get Rid of Ants in the Bathroom

Now that you've identified the tiny invaders, let's explore the best strategies to eliminate them.

Clean and Eliminate Moisture

The first step to get rid of ants in bathrooms is a deep clean:

  • Wipe down all surfaces with soapy water or a vinegar solution
  • Clean drains where gunk builds up
  • Fix any leaky faucets or pipes
  • Use a squeegee after showers to reduce moisture
  • Run your bathroom fan or open a window to reduce humidity

Seal Entry Points

Sealing up entry routes is another great way to stop an ant infestation in your bathroom. Make sure you:

  • Check around pipes where they enter walls
  • Look for tiny cracks in tile grout or caulking
  • Inspect window frames and door thresholds
  • Seal gaps with caulk or expanding foam
  • Replace damaged weather stripping around doors

Removing their entry points will also help keep them out of other areas of your home, such as your kitchen or bedrooms.

Use Targeted Ant Baits and Traps

When it comes to getting rid of ants in your bathroom, targeted ant baits and traps are highly effective. Here are some tips to maximize your catch and make the most of your ant traps:

  1. Place ant baits where you've seen ant trails so you can be sure that they will walk into the trap.
  2. Be patient. The ants need to take the poison back to their nest to eliminate the entire colony. If you’re not sure where the nest is located, check out our guide on how to find an ant nest.
  3. Choose traps that are non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets.
  4. If one type of trap doesn’t work, try another one, and if you’re curious about how long ant traps take to work, we break it down in detail.

Tips for Preventing Ant Infestations in Bathrooms

A solid prevention plan can help you avoid that problem in the first place. Here are some effective strategies to keep your bathroom ant-free.

  • Keep it dry. Wipe up water from showers or spills quickly.
  • Repair leaky pipes and faucets right away.
  • Store toiletries in closed containers.
  • Take out the trash regularly.
  • Deep clean behind toilets and under sinks on a regular basis. 
  • Turn on the bathroom vent fan during and after showers to reduce humidity and prevent moisture buildup.

Get Rid of Bathroom Ants for Good with Catchmaster

Sometimes, DIY methods aren’t enough to get rid of ants in your bathroom. That’s when you need professional-grade products from Catchmaster®.

Homeowners and pest control professionals have trusted these non-toxic, easy-to-use pest control products for over 70 years. Whether you’re dealing with a large ant infestation or just a nest or two, our line of ant control solutions, including our popular DEFIANT™ liquid bait ant traps, is the non-toxic, user-friendly way to eliminate pests from all environments – including bathrooms! 

The next time you find yourself struggling with a pest problem, let the ant-stopping power™ of Catchmaster’s traps put an end to all of those little ants in your bathroom. You’ll be glad you did!

 

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