Edible debris and moisture are the major reasons ants come out of your bathroom sink. However, scents from organic shampoo, shower drains, and dead insects can also attract them to the sink.
We all hate to have ants keep us company when we use the bathroom sink. But, unfortunately, they seem to show up anyways, and sometimes in large numbers.
I get even more worried about how they spread their presence to other areas of my home like they own it. No matter how clean the bathroom looks, those sneaky critters are always trying to make a meal out of it.
These ants never want to go away, except they are forced out. However, it gets easier when you understand how and why they always seem to find a way inside your bathroom sink.
You’re probably sick of looking for solutions if you’ve got an ant problem. In this article, I’ll walk you through why ants are coming out of your bathroom sink and simple, effective methods to get rid of them.
Four Reasons Why Ants Are Attracted To Your Bathroom Sink
If you see ants lurking around your bathroom sink, it is really about two things: food and water. Ants need these things to survive, and your bathroom sink could be a good source for both.
So, every time you leave dirt and excess water behind after a shower or brushing, thats a VIP invitation to ants which they would gladly accept.
However, apart from the edible debris and water that you leave behind after a session in the bathroom, Here are other things that might attract ants to your bathroom sink.
The Smell of Your Shower Drain
The scent coming from your drain and sink is attractive to ants because they interpret it as a food and moisture source. Usually, the smell results from dirty plumbing—like sludge in pipes, hair, and other accumulated dirt that has been leftover time and not flushed down the drain.
Remains of Dead Roaches or Other Insects
Ants are opportunistic eaters and will pick up scents of dead insects (including ants) anywhere. So when you have dead roaches or spiders in your bathroom sink, it won’t take long before they follow the insects’ trail to your bathroom sink using any cracked pipes or cervices.
Organic Shampoo or Body Wash
Ants love fruits because they contain sugar, and unfortunately, most organic shampoo and body wash has a fruity-like smell. So you can trust it will be hard for ants to ignore your bathroom sink if you have organic shampoo or body wash.
Fermented Hair and Skin Cells
When you brush your teeth and comb your hair by the bathroom sink, part of your hair and skin tends to fall off and enter the sink. Over time, they accumulate and start to ferment, leading to fungus and mold growth. The fermenting smell attracts ants, and they will try to find their way to it.
Other things that attract ants to your bathroom sink are their search for warmth, other edible materials (if you are one to take a snack in the bathroom), and faulty plumbing.
So what do you do about these little pests before they begin a disturbing party that gets out of hand?
There are Six natural ways I get rid of ants in my bathroom sink without using any harmful chemicals. These are simple DIY methods that may not cost you a penny.
How to Get Rid of Ants From Your Bathroom Sink
Getting rid of ants is not as difficult as you think, and some of these methods are great at ruining their next invasion plans. Below are some simple tricks that work really well for me.
Find and Cover-up Possible Entry Points
The ants don’t just magically appear! There is a place that leads them into your bathroom sink. Hence, the best way to eradicate ants is to seal up even the smallest crevice and cracks.
To get started;
- Inspect your plumbing system to find leaking pipes.
- Check out for holes in your wall
- Seal up holes using silicone caulk or plaster
- Fix any leak with special fiberglass tape.
- Replace rotten wood around windows
Clean Up!
Ants are attracted to food and water, so by keeping dirt and moisture off, you can make your bathroom sink less inviting to them.
To start your cleaning and maintenance;
- Remove all of the left-out hair, gunks, and dirt.
- Clean and unclog your drain.
- Apply salt, insecticide, and exterminators to your bathroom and other areas around your house.
Make Ants Repellent With Essential Oils
Essential oils are an excellent choice for your repellent because ants hate their smell, and they can be deadly if they come into contact with them.
Here are some materials you will need to set up the repellent
Materials needed:
- Tea tree oil
- Cayenne pepper
- Peppermint oil
- Powdered cinnamon
- Water
Procedure:
- Get the essential oils—tea tree oil and peppermint oil.
- Mix both oils( 15 drops each) along with powdered cinnamon and little cayenne pepper.
- Pour the mixture into ¼ cup of water and stir vigorously.
- After your solution is finished, drain your bathroom sink and pour the solution into it (make sure you clean the sink out first)
Use An Homemade Insecticide With Vinegar
Knowing an insecticide made with vinegar is effective in repelling ants is great news for those of us looking to manage ants in our bathroom sink without using harsh chemicals
Materials needed:
- Vinegar
- Water
- Spraying bottle
Procedure:
To make your insecticide with vinegar;
- Mix 1/3 cup vinegar with 1 cup water.
- Pour into a spraying bottle.
- Spray the drain, sink, and all the spaces in the bathroom.
- If you find dead ants, clean up their dead bodies to avoid attracting more ants.
Clean Drain With Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution
If your bathroom sink is partially clogged, you might be able to fix it quickly with baking soda and vinegar. This solution will dissolve the sludge and allow water to flow through easily.
Materials needed:
● Baking soda
● Vinegar
● Measuring cup
● Hot water
Procedure:
- Pour hot water and dish soap into your bathroom to soften dirt and clogs along your drains.
- Get your measuring cup and pour a full cup of baking soda directly into the drain opening.
- Follow up immediately by pouring one cup of vinegar
- The mixture will cause a reaction, and you should start to hear a fizzling sound. Don’t panic, that’s what is required to dissolve the dirt in your durian.
- Leave it for 5-10 minutes, then flush again with hot water.
- Repeat these processes if your drain remains clogged. However, if it persists, you may have to call a professional.
Reduce Moisture
Although it might be impossible to eliminate moisture from your bathroom, you should try to reduce it.
- Fix leaky taps.
- Get a dehumidifier.
- Dry the floor properly when you get out of the shower.
FAQs On Why Are Ants Coming Out of My Bathroom Sink
Where Do Ants in the Bathroom Come From?
They can come from any link between your bathroom and the outside of your house. These include unnoticed crevices or holes and a faulty plumbing system.
What Attracts Ants to the Bathroom?
Dirt, sludge, organic soaps and shampoos, crumbs from leftover junks, dead insects, and moisture can attract ants to your bathroom.
