Are Ants in Your Bathroom?

Ants in Bathroom

Ants are commonly found in the bathroom.  They are attracted by chemical odors, as well as scents coming from drains.  A drain that hasn’t been used for a period of time will contain stagnate water, as well as fermented human hair.  Ants are also attracted to moist areas, and bathrooms often provide them with freestanding water.  Ants are constantly exploring for food to take back to their colony.  When they find a food source they ferry it back to their lair in a line made of thousands of ants.  Following these lines allows you to find either the location of an indoor nest, or the pathway they are using to enter the home.

If ant infestations are left alone, they will grow in size.  Ants search for new areas to colonize, and will begin to spread throughout the house.  In the case of carpenter ants, they can cause damage to wooden structures as they tunnel into them to nest.  This is particularly a problem in the bathroom where the wood is moist, making it easy to tunnel.  Ants are also unsightly and their bites can be painful.

If ants are seen in a bathroom, follow them to find their source.  Immediately wipe up freestanding water and clean up odorous areas.  If the ants lead you to a crack leading outside, caulk up the crack.  Wash the remaining ants with soap and water, effectively disrupting the chemical trail they follow to food and water sources.  Bait is an effective method of control if you suspect the ant colony is inside.  Ants carry the bait back to their queen, which poisons the very center of their colony.  This can dramatically reduce the population of the colony.  If the infestation is so pervasive that the ants persist regardless of your efforts, a professional pest control service may be needed.  Professionals are able to safely use pesticides and fumigants that penetrate deeper into surfaces.  This is especially useful with carpenter ants, which may be nesting far beneath the surface.