The tiny, hardworking creatures known as ants may seem harmless enough. After all, their job is to hunt and gather food, which they’ll bring back to the colony and share with the rest of the group. But despite their size, these insects have a tendency to turn up in unexpected places like the bathroom, where they can cause real problems.
Ants tend to be drawn to bathrooms for the same reasons that they seek out any other room in your home – they want food and water, and the bathroom offers them both. As we use our sinks, showers, and toilets, ant triggers such as chemical odors, scents emanating from drains, and fermented hairs can draw them in.
Depending on the species of ant, these indoor triggers may even be part of their colony’s nest. In that case, getting rid of ants in the bathroom will require eliminating the ant’s nest as well as the entry point into the house.
The most important step to getting rid of ants in the bathroom is to eliminate the moisture that attracts them. Make sure that any freestanding water is immediately mopped up, and that sinks are regularly wiped down to prevent condensation. In addition, caulk all cracks and crevices around the bathroom walls and floor.
While you’re at it, be sure to check that the ants you’re seeing in your bathroom aren’t termites, which could pose a significant health hazard. You can tell the difference between ants and termites by their bodies – ant abdomens are segmented, while those of termites are pinched together.