Ants are present in bathroom sinks, bathtub faucets, towels, and even toothbrushes, so it is essential to consider what attracts them to the bathroom.
Ants love moisture and warmth and move to areas fulfilling their requirements, so bathrooms fit into their criteria and become a nesting spot for them.
How to Get Rid of Ants in Bathtub Faucet? You can get rid of ants by regularly cleaning the bathtub faucets, replacing the dirty faucet aerators, and removing residues of shampoo or soap. Moreover, fix the leakages to avoid moisture buildup and seal cracks in the pipelines to close their entry points. Dehumidify bathrooms, keep bathtubs dry, and spray essential oils to mask the odor.
Keeping the shower, floor, and faucet clean and dry can solve the issue to the maximum extent, as these insects build their nests in areas providing a good source of moisture and food.
Keep bathtub faucet clean
Ants are attracted to dirty objects as they usually live in soil, dirt, and debris. The presence of hair in the drain holes can also grab their attention as they provide a good quantity of protein.
Hard water contains minerals and calcium salts that lead to the accumulation of salts on the faucets.
Regular cleaning of bathtubs can help prevent calcium buildup, making them unappealing to insects. In addition, these insects can also get attracted to mold in the drain holes.
Black or brownish spots on the faucet indicate mold growth, as these areas remain wet and provide a suitable platform for mold.
The filters or faucet aerators can get dirty due to the accumulation of dirt and attract tiny insects. So, it is better to clean or replace the dirty aerators to get rid of ants.
Fix the leakage
Ants prefer to live in moist areas as their exoskeletons begin to desiccate when their bodies get deficient in water.
Most commonly, a wooden panel on the side of the bathtub remains wet due to leakage. The damp wood provides an ideal environment for these insects to build tunnels and live inside.
It is better to fix the leakage or dripping taps if you want to get rid of these tiny insects, as you have to face an infestation problem until moisture is there.
You can wipe its surface to remove the particles of moisture. Dry surfaces are usually unattractive for ants and help keep them away.
Furthermore, ask a plumber to fix all the leakages responsible for the release of water from points other than the central drainage hole of the faucet.
Use vinegar and baking soda
Most probably, the ant colonies are present inside the bathtub faucet when you see them coming out of it. So you have to flush them out by allowing pressurized water to flow.
Allow water to flow through the tap for 5 to 10 minutes until all the ants come out of it. Then, use a faucet filter to block their path, as these insects will try to re-enter.
You have to sprinkle the baking soda powder over the drain hole and pour white vinegar over the powder.
It will form a foamy layer over the drain and helps remove collected debris by dislodging and allowing the dumping of flushed ants.
A clean drain hole allows water and insects to pass and helps avoid water accumulation. On the other hand, a dry bathtub and fixtures are not attractive for carpenter ants and other insects searching for moisture.
Remove shampoo residues
Homemade shampoos and soaps have soothing fragrances due to the presence of oils having sweet aromas. Its residues can attract insects to the bathtub faucet if left on the taps.
Additionally, you have to remove the residues of shampoos from the bottles and taps after a bath. Therefore, it is better to tightly seal the bottles or put them inside a cabinet to avoid contact.
Clean the spills and chunks of soap if they were mistakenly left on the bathtub as their sweet smell and grab their attention.
Dehumidify bathrooms
Many people like to have a hot bath and use steam cleaners to clean the bathroom’s hard surfaces, like fixtures and glass windows, which can help remove dirt and germs.
It leads to the accumulation of steam in the bathroom which makes the environment warm and moist. Therefore, it is considered an ideal environment for ants to live and reproduce.
Accordingly, they begin to live in hidden bathroom areas, like faucets and shower heads. As a result, you have to dehumidify the bathroom after steam cleaning to make it less attractive.
It is better to switch on extractor fans or use a dehumidifier to remove the excessive moisture from tiles, fixtures, and floors quickly.
Use essential oil sprays
Debris in the bathtub drain gives off a particular scent that smells like rotten eggs. In addition, molds begin to grow on the accumulated debris if it is not cleaned for many days and produce a foul odor.
You have to get rid of the foul odor to avoid the entry of these insects inside the bathtub and faucets accordingly.
Keep the drains clean, and use essential oil sprays that can be soothing. You can make these sprays at home or get the prepared ones from stores.
Use a few drops of orange and peppermint oil to make a spray that acts as an effective ant-repellant
Spray the solution into bathrooms after cleaning and dehumidifying to keep ants away from it.
Seal cracks in pipelines
Cracks in the pipelines provide an entry route to these tiny insects as they do not need large holes to pass through them.
The moisture ants, ghost ants, and argentine ants keep searching for hidden areas with a good source of moisture to build their nests.
Look for the possible cracks in walls, windows, and pipelines, providing a suitable entry route, as there is a possibility that these are getting entered into faucets through tiny holes and cracks.
Fill the cracks with silicone caulk in the plumbing line and expansion joints to close their entry points.
It can help get rid of the insects in the long term as there will be no holes for these tiny insects to reach moisture.
Avoid entry of ants
You have to prevent the entry of other insects like roaches and termites, as they can attract ants in the bathrooms.
A few insects like to live inside the wooden cabinets close to the faucet and attract them. They are efficient killers and kill larger insects by stinging deep into their skin.
These tiny insects become predators to obtain nutrition from their bodies, as dead roaches are a rich source of protein that can help them grow well.
So, you have to use insecticides to get rid of insects in the bathroom, usually hidden in the expansion joints or spaces between the bathtub and the wall.
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