Ant infestation is a typical problem in many Singapore households. They are present in the kitchen and dining areas where there are plenty of food scraps to scavenge around.
In some cases, ants may also find their way into your bathroom. You may not realise it but your bathroom could be providing the perfect breeding ground for ants and it can take a great deal of effort to get them out of it. Find out what attracts ants in the bathroom.
The Dangers of Ants in the Bathroom
Although their small size and behaviour make them seem harmless, ants can do more damage than you ever know. Think about the possibility of ants picking up bacteria from your toilet and transferring them to your kitchen—food utensils, food storage, preparation area, etc.—as they forage around for food.
It is essential to be aware that ants can be more serious than the nuisances they cause and knowing how they are attracted to your bathroom in the first place can help you get rid of them.
What Attracts Ants in the Bathroom?
Why ants are attracted in your bathroom boils down to the presence of food sources, moisture, and cracks and crevices that can easily serve as their entryway. The readily available supply of water in it, the fermented human hair from your drains, and other food sources are the likely reasons why these pests are coming into your bathroom.
There is also the fact that your wooden furnishings in your bathroom could be attracting carpenter ants, which dug their way through your area, causing damage and infestation.
The good news? Getting rid of ants in your bathroom is possible with the following ways:
How to Treat an Ant Infestation
Identify the Types of Ants
The first step to getting rid of ants is to identify which type of species is infesting your home. Because each one is different in behaviour and preference in food, the treatment approach will vary as well. Here is a brief guide on the top 4 ants in Singapore and how to eliminate them.
Do you have ants or termites?
Besides identifying which type of ants could be infesting your home, it is also useful to make sure that you are dealing with ants and not termites.
Some of their differences are that ants have segmented waists while termites have approximately the same width throughout their bodies, without the pinched waists like that of ants. Ants also have bent antennas whereas termites have theirs straight. Read here to find out more on the difference between white ants and termite.
Remove the Attractants
The first step in getting rid of ants is to eliminate what attracts them in your bathroom in the first place. It is often the readily accessible water in it, therefore, try as much as possible to keep the area dry at most times.
- Fix leaky pipes immediately
- Place a floor mat to keep the feet dry
- Keep the bathroom floor dry after every shower
- Wipe bathroom surfaces (e.g. sink) after each use
- Fix shower screen to avoid excessive spillage of water
Additionally, clean your bathroom regularly to avoid the build-up of hairs and other food sources that can attract these pests.
Seal Point of Entries
You know too well that ants leave a trail that others may follow. But, did you know that this trail is also what will allow you to track where they coming from? Often, it will lead you to the cracks on your walls and tiles or the gaps between the windows and doors that they use to access your bathroom.
Make sure to seal as much as possible the potential point of entries to keep further ants from invading your bathroom and home, overall.
Try Ant Control Home Remedies
Aside from the practical steps to get rid of ants, you can also try the following natural ant control remedies:
Peppermint
Peppermint is often use as a natural insect repellent. Plant them around your home or use it in an essential oil form by wiping it on suspected infested areas.
Vinegar
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water, and spray the solution directly on ants to eliminate them. You can also spray it around potential entryways to serve as a deterrent.
Lemon Juice
Like vinegar, lemon juice can also serve as a deterrent for ants. Mix 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water and use as a spray.
Eliminate the Ants Already in Your Bathroom
You can address the ants that are still in your room. While there are several ways to get rid of them on your own—placing ant gels and traps, spraying ants in contact, and trying the natural remedies mentioned above—they may not be as effective as a professional ant control.
So, when should you call for pest control for ants?
Ant Control By Rentokil
If you are like many homeowners who struggle with off the shelve and DIY ant control products, you know too well that their results are often less than satisfactory—and it’s due to the fact they are only great for removing ants on contact and not on addressing the full infestation.
An effective ant control requires finding and treating the colony and our trained service technicians at Rentokil dose these jobs effectively.
We use different ant spray methods, deciding which one is the most effective and strategic locations, based on the situation of the infestation.
Get in touch with us today to learn more. Contact us at (65) 6347 8138 for a free quote.
Leave a Reply