Ants and Gnats in the Bathroom? Why and How to Get Rid of Them

I’d like to blame it on the weather but it seems that no matter the time of year it is or the temperature, ants and gnats always find their way into the bathroom. Whether you see them just flying around or crawling on the floor or near the drain they can be a nuisance and make a clean area immediately feel dirty. No one wants bugs in their house for any reason so how did they get here? Why are they drawn to the bathroom and how can you get rid of them?

What is it that draws these little visitors to the bathroom specifically? The kitchen can be understandable because of food and fruit that will attract these bugs, but the food isn’t kept in the bathroom! What truly draws them in is the moisture that is found around drains, showerheads, and vents. Before you can truly get rid of the bugs you have to figure out what is bringing them there. While they can be drawn to the moisture of your bathroom, where specifically are they drawn to so you can reduce the moisture and get rid of the problem for good.

On a positive note, the good news is these gnats can be told farewell with a few fixes. One of the best things to do is to take preventive measures. The best preventive measure you can take is making the bathroom less desirable for these bugs to be in. For them to like moisture and warmth the way they do, keeping the area dry can help prevent them from wanting to be there. Make sure all your leaks are fixed and not ongoing, keep any standing water cleaned up, and remember to use the fan when showering and keep it on even a few minutes after to draw moisture out completely.

These pesky little bugs can be a hassle in your bathroom whether they keep popping up in the tub while you try to relax in the bath or even just seeing them makes it feel less clean. The good news is that there are a few remedies you can try to get rid of them before having to make a call and sinking more money into it than needed.

Vinegar Traps

Vinegar is one of the best household items to keep around whether it is for natural cleaning or even certain pest control. In this case, vinegar can be used to make a homemade gnat trap to stop these little bugs from getting worse. Grab a glass or bowl and combine a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dish liquid, and a bit of sugar and mix it all together. The sugar and vinegar mixture will draw int he gnats while the dish liquid will prevent them from being able to leave the dish.

Try the Fruit Trap

Similar to the vinegar trap it is all about trapping this little pests inside so they can’t get out. It may seem gross at first but it will work. If you have some fruit past its prime and beginning to rot, put it in a bowl and cover with plastic. Poke some small holes in the plastic for the gnats to go into. They will be attracted to the fruit but once inside won’t be able to get back out.

Try Bleach

A lot of homeowners have strayed away from bleach and have sought out more natural cleaning alternatives. When it comes to these little pests, bleach can be best! A lot of ants and gnats actually come up through the drains in your bathroom. You can use a cup of diluted bleach and pour down the drains followed by some hot water. Not only can this get rid of any wierd smells and bacteria in the drains but it should be a pretty effective way to get rid of these unwanted house guests.

Cinnamon Trick

For some homeowners it may work and others haven’t had much luck. Especially in the case of ants, the cinnamon trick can be useful to get rid of these bugs while also preventing them. It has been said that ants don’t like the scent or taste of pure cinnamon and homeowners have claimed putting the cinnamon in the drain and letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it away has helped tremendously. Just take a few tablespoons of cinnamon and drop it into the drain, wait around 5-10 minutes, after the wait is over rinse the cinnamon with hot water.

If all else fails it may be time to bring in the professionals. The professional you choose is up to you and how severe you believe the problem to be. You can always call pest control to see if it is a problem they can get under control. Before jumping to the bug guys consider giving your plumber a call! Plumbing companies often specialize in much more than leaks and toilet installations, they offer many other services including vent cleanings and drain cleanings. Calling your plumber for these services may take care fo the problem saving on an additional bill from pest control. The vent in your bathroom is important to use so that it draws out the moisture when the bathroom gets steamy. This can help prevent things like mold, mildew, and of course these pesky bugs. Having a clean vent esnures that it is working at maximum efficiency making it a less desirable environment for the bugs to want to be in.
When thinking of drain cleaning you may be left wondering how that could help. Most of the time these pests are actually coming up through your drains possibly even from your sewer lines. Having a professional drain cleaning done can get rid of the debris and smells that could be attracting these unwanted guests in the first place.