Ants are harmless creatures as long as they live in their own home and not yours. You can still ignore them if you find one or two of them roaming here and there, just minding their own business. However, if you enter your bathroom and see a mighty swarm of ants hanging around, then there is a big problem.
So, when a little birdie told us that you would like to know how to get rid of ants in the bathroom, we decided to write a complete guide on the process. We understand if you don’t want to use toxic insecticides in your house. That’s why we are bringing you a completely natural way to get rid of the little black ants for good.
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Why Do You Find Tiny Ants in the Bathroom?
You might want to know the root of the problem before dealing with it. It makes sense as knowing the cause allows you to fight the issue in a better way. Considering their size and flexibility, it is not hard to imagine them infiltrating your space through the crevices and the smallest holes. However, the question that troubles the mind is why the bathroom? Why not kitchen?
We have three words as an answer to this question; food, water, and shelter. Ants love moisture. If there is stagnant water in the sink or standing water on the floor, they will be attracted to your bathroom. Once they get inside, it gets very hard to get them out.
Try to pinpoint the reason why the small ants are getting attracted to your bathroom. Spend a little time observing their behavior. Find out their entry point and the hiding space.
Once you get ahold of all this information, take the following steps:
- Get rid of freestanding water on the floor and in the bathtub
- Take care of leaks and drips in the shower
- Seal all crevices and cracks in windows or foundations
- Get rid of clogged drains
Know What You are Dealing with
Remember that knowing your enemy is one of the keys to victory. Hence, it is very important to know the exact species of ants you are dealing with. This can help you in deciding the most effective treatment. Unless you are close friends to an entomologist, we suggest you take the matter into your own hands.
So, while there are many different types of ants, the most common ones include Red ants, Carpenter ants, Pharaoh ants, and Argentine ants. Be very clear of the fact that if there is standing water, there will be a Carpenter ant infestation. The major reason for their obsession with hanging around in your bathroom is the moisture.
On the other hand, if your bathroom is warm and has a pretty huge colony of ants, you are probably dealing with Pharaoh ants.
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Time to Get Rid of Ants
Once you find out the reason behind the ant infestation and their type, it is time to get rid of them once and for all. We don’t support using a dangerous insecticide in your washroom as it can harm you as well. So, we have found a completely organic way to help you with the ant problem.
It might come as a surprise, but essential oils are a great source of killing and repelling ants. This means that you can do the job without getting your hands dirty. While many essential oils can do the job, our favorite one is a mixture of peppermint and tea tree oil. It is not only powerful but also smells great.
Here’s how you can make your very own organic pest control solution:
- Add equal amounts of tea tree and peppermint oil in a water-filled spray bottle (15 to 20 drops as required).
- Add a half teaspoon of Cayenne pepper spice if there is severe ant infestation.
- Spray this solution on the ants, their trails and entry points. If required, soak a cotton ball and stuff it into troublesome openings.
This mixture of natural oils will help kill little black ants upon contact. The odor will confuse the ones outside and prevent them from entering the vicinity. Keep this spray at hand, especially in winter, as this is their favorite time of the year to live in a warm bathroom.
Exterminate the Entire Ant Colony Living in Your Bathroom
If you are still unsure whether spraying the solution will help kill them entirely, we have another solution for you. However, it involves boric acid, which can be harmful to pets and humans. Therefore, we advise you to be rather careful.
It is understandable that all ants won’t be hanging around in the bathroom at the same time. Of course, you cannot invite them to the killing ceremony. Hence, you must trick them. Don’t worry, it is not that hard. You just have to use a bait to trap them.
The solution will be toxic, yet it will smell sweet. Ants will get attracted and take the bait back to the nest. The queen and all ants will eat it and die, naturally exterminating the entire colony. We know that its harsh but nothing else will keep them from hanging around in your bathroom.
Here are a few ideas on how you can make a bait:
- Add ¼ cup of borax acid into ¾ cup of maple syrup
- Mix ¼ cup of borax acid into ¾ cup of powdered sugar
- Add one part of borax acid into three parts of peanut butter
Make sure to use both liquid and solid baits as adult ants can only process liquids.
Final Thoughts on the Ants Problem
Considering the size of a typical ant colony, it might not be an easy task to get rid of them in one go. Hence, we encourage you to not lose hope and keep using the above-mentioned methods regularly. The solution of essential oils is in no way harmful to humans or pets. Hence you can use it as many times as you want. They can also help with other pest problems.
However, if you would like to use the second method, please be careful. Mark that particular bathroom a no-go area for kids and pets. We hope that your bathroom will be clear of ants sooner than you think.