Imagine filling the bathtub, and all of a sudden, it is filled with ants? It is scary and can be embarrassing if it was a guest using the bathtub. Seeing ants coming out of the bathtub faucet, sink, or showerhead is not a good watch. So, why are ants coming out of the bathtub faucet?
Ants enter the bathtub faucet in search of food and water. If your bathtub is leaking, there is water and food for them. To get rid of them, set the water pressure in the faucet at high levels and flush them out. Also, put an aerator so that they don’t find their way back.
Ants need water to survive, especially over the summer, and this is when many people complain of ants in the bathroom. Also, there is always something inside the water pipes to feed on, which is why they extend their stay.
It is not a pleasant experience, but it is easy to get rid of them using home remedies or if the invasion is too much, with the help of a pest controller.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In The Bathtub Faucet
Ants are tiny insects, but they can be a nuisance and especially in your bathtub. They are social animals meaning that they live in large groups. Therefore, if you spot one in your bathroom, expect the place to be filled with ants sooner or later.
Because of their tiny bodies, they can penetrate water pipes in your bathroom through tiny spaces, as long as they can get what they want.
If you are wondering, ants feed on what we term as disgusting in the bathroom. They enjoy the dead skin on your bathtub, dead hair, fungus, toothpaste remains on the bathroom sinks, and odors from bathing soaps.
Getting rid of ants depends on the level of infestation. If you notice a small cluster, you can take matters into your own hands. However, if your control method does not work or if the infestation is too much, seek the help of a pest controller.
With that said, before hiring a pest controller, try the tips below to eliminate the ants:
1. Block Their Entry
The first step to eliminating ants from your bathroom is identifying the entry point. In our case, the entry point is the bathtub faucet. To block further entry, seal it with a faucet aerator. Also, take time to look around for any other possible entry points and seal all of them.
Also, it would help if you got rid of what they are feeding on. This can only be achieved through dismantling the faucet. Clean any debris, slimy sludge, and residues inside the faucet.
After blocking the ants from coming in and getting rid of their food, you can now deal with the ones inside the bathtub and on the bathroom floor.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar kills ants instantly, and the smell keeps them away. Therefore, mix vinegar with water in equal parts and use a spray bottle to spray the solution in the bathtub or any other area invaded with ants.
Please pick up the dead ants and dispose of them in the bin. Avoid flushing them down the drain because they can cause a blockage.
3. Dish Soap
Yes, dish soap can be used to kill ants. Add a few drops in a spray bottle with water and spray the solution directly on the ants. As always, please do not wash them down the drain to avoid blockages.
Using soap dishes kills two birds with one stone. It kills the ants and removes bathtub grime.
4. Lemon Spray
Lemon juice is a natural ant killer, and it is easy to prepare. Mix lemon juice and water in equal parts, pour it in a spray bottle, and spray on the hands. After killing all the visible ants, pour the remaining solution into the drain to kill ants hiding down there.
5. Spices
The smell of strong spices repels ants. Therefore, line strong spices like pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, and jalapenos, to mention a few on your tub and bathroom walls and let them do the chasing away for you. These strong scents will deter the ants from coming any closer.
6. Use Ant Baits
Ant baits are readily available in stores, and they can help you get rid of ants in your faucets and drains. TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer is a reputable ant bait brand out there. If you have never used an ant bait before, contact a pest controller for guidance.
How To Prevent The Ants From Coming Back
The only way to ensure that ants will never invade your bathroom again is ensuring that there is no food and water for them. The tips below will help you to prevent ants from coming back in your bathroom:
1. Repair Leaks In The Bathtub Faucet
The number one reason ants entered your faucet is that it was leaking, and they could get water. Therefore, call a plumber and get the leaking faucet repaired.
2. Keep The Bathroom Dry
If you do not dry the bathtub after use, it is time to start doing it. As already mentioned, ants are attracted to wet and moist spaces. With a dry bathroom and bathtub, they will not find anything to feed on, so they will leave.
If you have kids who leave the bathroom wet, teach them how to dry it depending on their age or clean after them.
The idea is to keep all parts of the bathroom as dry as they can be.
3. Hire A Pest Controller
If the ants do not go away after applying all the tips above, they must be feeding on something deeper in the drain, and it is time to seek the help of a professional. A reputable pest controller will look into their source and solve the issue permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Are Ants Attracted To The Bathtub?
Ants are attracted to the bathtub because it provides them with water and food. They feed in dead hair, dead skins, slime on dirty bathtubs, soap remnants, fungus, and stagnant water. To chase ants away from your bathroom, ensure that it is clean and dry at all times.
2. Is It Dangerous To Have Ants In Your Bathtub Faucet?
Ants are tiny but dangerous creatures. If they find their way into the bathtub, they can bite you. Also, they can damage the water pipes. Ants live in large numbers, and if they form a nest on the plastic water pipes, they can damage them or even cause clogs.
3. Why Do Ants Suddenly Appear In My Bathroom?
Ants are attracted to bathrooms because it is wet and moist. They can come in through the drain, using the bathroom window, small cracks and crevices on the wall or from other rooms. Since they are very tiny, they can easily squeeze in through tiny spaces as long as they can get food and water.
In Conclusion, Why Are Ants Coming Out Of Bathtub Faucet?
If you have been seeing ants coming out of bathtub faucet, they are getting food and water from it. In most cases, the faucet is leaking and dirty. Therefore, repair the leak and clean it using vinegar, dish soap, or lime water.
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