Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how clean your home and bathroom are. Ants and insects will often move in and nest, which can become a significant problem. While ants are harmless and highly beneficial for the natural world, having them live in your home is far from ideal and is an extreme nuisance.
In this article, we’ll detail the best solutions for getting rid of ants in shower drains and how to prevent further infestation and nesting.
How to get rid of ants in the shower drain?
There are several methods you can use when clearing your shower drain and other household drains of ants, from natural remedies to chemical solutions.
Some of the reasons ants are attracted to your bathrooms drains include:
- Damp and humid environments
- Clogged or blocked drains
- Bathroom trash cans/bins
- Stagnant water
- Corners and cracks that accumulate dust
While it’s always best to use preventative measures once you’ve cleared the ants from your bathroom and drains, you might need to eradicate the infestation first. And because ants are amazing at finding food and water sources, you’ll have to be extra careful and ensure you check every possible route and source that ants may be nesting in, as well as cracks and drains that allow them access to your bathroom.
Solutions for getting rid of ants in your bathroom and shower drain include:
- Borax (chemical)
- Boric Acid
- White vinegar
- Orange peels
- Coffee Powder
- Essential Oils
- Pepper, Garlic, or cinnamon (can be combined)
Below, we’ve detailed how you can use these options to get rid of the ants in your bathroom and shower drains.
Boric Acid
Boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate, is a naturally occurring compound that can be used as an ant killer. This powder can be applied along window edges, the corners and edges of the bathroom, and other surfaces. It’s important to note that boric acid is mildly dangerous and unsafe for children and animals and should be applied carefully.
Borax
Also called sodium borate, borax is a natural mineral that is used in many household items like body creams and toothpaste – but it is also deadly to ants and their exoskeleton. You can mix the borax with edible foods that attract ants, such as sugar syrup, and leave it near the ant source. This will encourage the ants to take the food back ‘home’ and eliminate the nest they’ve built nearby.
Natural remedies
Several natural remedies are guaranteed to get rid of ants in your shower drain and bathroom and can be used as both a treatment and preventative measure – ensuring ants can never return.
White Vinegar
White vinegar can be used to wipe down all your bathroom surfaces and floors. Ants will not be able to navigate and will avoid the areas you wipe, making this an ideal natural remedy that you can regularly apply.
Orange peels
The citrus in orange peels is deadly to ants because of the acidity of the oil found in the peels and can be used as a cleaner to wipe down all surfaces and floors – getting rid of the ants and preventing any future ant problems.
Pepper, Garlic, or Cinnamon
Garlic, pepper, and cinnamon are used to prevent ants from nesting in your bathroom and shower drain because they are repelled by the smell – making this an ideal and natural solution.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are one of the most used natural remedies for getting rid of ants and preventing any further infestation. Citronella and other citrus-based essential oils are the most commonly used due to their amazing preventative qualities, repelling any ants with strong (and pleasant) odors.
By wiping down all the surfaces and floors in your bathroom and using a spray mix, you can ensure every surface and access point for the ants is covered.
How do you stop ants from coming up the drain?
By pouring white vinegar down the drain, you can prevent ants from coming up and accessing your bathroom while also clearing out any stagnant water and helping keep the pipe free from blockage. This will also act as a preventative solution, stopping ants from returning through the shower drain.
What are some natural ways to remove ants from a shower drain?
There are several solutions you can choose from that will naturally remove ants from your shower drain and bathroom:
- White Vinegar
- Essential Oils
- Orange peel spray
- Garlic, pepper, and cinnamon spray
- Coffee Powder solution
Can pouring boiling water down the shower drain help get rid of ants?
A quick alternative for getting rid of ants is by pouring boiling water down the shower drain. You can use the kettle or a pot to boil the water, and because it’s a fast and effective solution, combined with natural remedies and keeping the bathroom clean – you’re sure to have your ant problem gone in no time!
By the way, read this article if you are having trouble with ants coming from under the toilet.