Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive-registered-logo-white

Find Service Area

Why Are Ants in the Shower and How to Prevent Them from Entering

Written by Aptive Environmental November 22, 2024

Finding ants in the shower can be frustrating and puzzling. You might wonder what could possibly attract them to a place that’s mainly wet and seems unappealing to pests. The truth is that ants are often drawn to moisture, making your bathroom a prime target for ants. If you’re noticing bathroom ants regularly, there are specific reasons why they’re choosing this area of your home.

3 Reasons Why Ants Are Attracted to Bathrooms

Ants are constantly searching for food and water, and while the kitchen is a typical target, bathrooms provide the moisture they need to survive. Ants in the shower are usually drawn by the humidity and access to water. Here’s why they might be finding their way into your shower:

1. Moisture

Ants need water to survive and can drink any amount, depending on the size of their bodies. Bathrooms often provide an easy source of water, so they go there. Leaky faucets, pooling water in the shower, or even condensation on tiles can draw ants. Some species, like odorous ants, are especially attracted to damp areas. If your bathroom has any excess moisture, you’re creating a perfect environment for them.

Ants also tend to establish nests in humid areas. If your bathroom is particularly damp or poorly ventilated, it could even serve as a nesting site for a colony.

2. Food Sources

While it may seem strange, ants can be attracted to bathroom products. Residue from soaps, shampoos, and body washes can contain ingredients like oils and fats that ants are interested in. In fact, certain species of ants can detect a scent that is several meters away. You may not think of a shower as a place where ants can find food, but these traces are enough to draw them in.

3. Entry Points

Ants can enter your bathroom through tiny cracks and gaps that you might not even notice. Bathroom plumbing is often a major entry point. Ants can travel along pipes that lead from outside or from other areas of your home. Gaps around window frames, baseboards, and even poorly sealed tiles provide easy access for them to slip through.

3 Ways to Prevent Ants from Entering Your Bathroom

Now that you understand why ants are getting into your house and in the shower, it’s time to focus on prevention. Here are some practical steps to prevent ants in the shower area.

1. Fix Leaks and Control Moisture

One of the best ways to prevent ants from entering your bathroom is by eliminating excess moisture. Start by fixing any leaky faucets, pipes, or showerheads. Ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated to reduce humidity levels. You can use a dehumidifier, if necessary, especially in bathrooms that tend to stay damp.

Wipe down surfaces like countertops, the sink, and the shower after use. By keeping these areas dry, you remove the water source that’s attracting the ants.

2. Clean Regularly and Eliminate Food Sources

Maintaining a clean bathroom is another key to bathroom pest control. Ants are often drawn to leftover soap scum, hair, and organic materials. Clean your bathroom thoroughly, paying attention to areas like the shower drain and corners where residue tends to build up.

Make sure to clean any spills or residues from personal care products. It’s also important to avoid leaving damp towels or bathmats on the floor for extended periods, as these can become a moisture source for ants.

3. Seal Entry Points

Blocking entry points is crucial to preventing ants from gaining access to your bathroom. Check for cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and baseboards, and seal them with caulk. Pay close attention to the areas around plumbing where ants may be entering along the pipes. Expanding foam can help fill gaps around plumbing lines, preventing ants from using them as a highway into your home.

Prevent Ants from Entering the Shower with Our Pest Control Service

Dealing with ants in the shower and home can be frustrating, but Aptive is here to help. We know how annoying those tiny intruders can be, and our team is ready to solve the problem. From identifying moisture issues to sealing off entry points, we’ll make sure your bathroom stays protected from ants so you can relax and enjoy a clean, peaceful space.

With Aptive’s expert pest control service, we’ll take care of the hard work, and you can have your bathroom without these pests. Contact us now and get a complimentary quote for pest control and effective ant control today!

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

A Cozy Living Room Decorated For Christmas, Featuring A Stone Fireplace Adorned With Stockings And A Brightly Lit Christmas Tree Surrounded By Neatly Wrapped Presents.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Holiday Decorations

The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and festive décor. But as you deck the halls, unwelcome pests can find your decorations just as inviting. Whether your ornaments are on display or tucked away in storage, these tips will help you enjoy your holidays...

Nov 25, 2024
A Snow-Covered Suburban Landscape Featuring A Two-Story White House With A Red Front Door And A Wreath. Snow-Laden Evergreen Trees Frame The Scene, Creating A Picturesque Winter Setting.

How to Protect Your Home With These Winter Pest Control Tips

As temperatures drop, your home becomes a prime target for cold-weather pests looking for warmth. Common intruders like rodents, spiders, and cockroaches seek shelter inside houses during winter. Effective winter pest control is essential to keep these pests out...

Nov 22, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

5 Common Insects in the Basement and How to Handle Them

If you feel like your basement is being overrun by bugs or insects, you're not alone. Common insects such as spiders, centipedes, and beetles are frequently found in these spaces. The insects found here are attracted to dark, humid environments and away from the...

Nov 22, 2024
Four Outdoor Garbage Bins In Blue, Brown, Gray, And Green Placed Side By Side, Marked With The Number 23. The Bins Are Against A Red Wooden Fence With Gardening Tools Resting Inside One Of The Bins.

What Attracts Pests to Your Garbage and How to Keep Them Away

If you’ve ever struggled with cockroaches, flies, or rats, you know how frustrating it can feel when they seem to have a secret invitation to your garbage. These pests are often drawn to food residue, moisture, and even strong odors emanating from your trash....

Nov 22, 2024
A Modern, Two-Story House With A Gray And White Exterior, Illuminated By Warm Interior Lights At Dusk, Showcasing A Clean Driveway And A Small Front Yard.

Household Pests That Thrive During Rainy Seasons

When the weather turns wet, it’s not just humans who seek shelter—many pests take advantage of the moisture and humidity. Rainy season pests can cause serious problems for homeowners, from mosquitoes breeding in standing water to ants invading kitchens in search of...

Nov 20, 2024
Brown Rat Perched On A Stone Ledge, Surrounded By Green Foliage, With A Focused Expression And Vibrant Background.

3 Reasons Why it’s Important to Act Fast to Get Rid of Pests

You've spotted pests in your home—maybe a trail of ants, a mouse in the garage, or a few cockroaches in the kitchen. Your first reaction might be to ignore it, hoping the problem will go away on its own. But that's a mistake. In this article, we'll explore three...

Nov 19, 2024
Modern Basement Interior With Light Beige Walls, Dark Wood Flooring, And A Cozy Seating Area Featuring A White Armchair And A Patterned Rug Next To A Stylish Staircase With Wooden Railings.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

There’s nothing quite like the peace of a well-maintained home. But that peace can be disrupted when pests find their way indoors. Whether it’s ants marching through the kitchen, spiders taking up residence in your home, or mice scurrying in the attic, pests are...

Nov 18, 2024
A Warm Evening View Of A Modern Home, Looking Through Large Windows Into A Kitchen Where A Family Of Four Is Gathered Around A Kitchen Island. Outside, The Patio Area Is Surrounded By Lush Greenery And Outdoor Furniture.

Top 10 Move-In Checklist Items for New Homeowners

Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone, marking the start of a fresh chapter in life. However, once the thrill of unpacking subsides, the reality of settling in and organizing your new space kicks in. To ensure a smooth transition and establish a...

Nov 15, 2024

Take back your home with pest control today.