Ant infestations in your bathroom can be a persistent nuisance, but with our expert methods, you can take control and eliminate them effectively. In this comprehensive guide to indoor ant control, we'll unveil top-secret methods used by professionals, explain how to keep ants from returning, identify the types of ants, and provide detailed steps for a successful ant elimination process.
Top-Secret Methods the Pros Use To Eliminate Ants
1. Vacuuming
Utilize a powerful shop-vac equipped with a crevice tool to effectively remove ants from carpets and mats. Empty the tank immediately after use, ensuring no live insects escape. Adding water or boric acid dust to the tank enhances ant capture and eradication.
2. Spray and Wipe
A bleach and water solution in a spray bottle swiftly eliminates ant trails in your bathroom. Exercise caution to avoid mixing chemicals; use mild, soapy water to clean any residue left by insecticides.
3. Fumigation
For extensive ant coverage, consider aerosol foggers with cypermethrin. Evacuate the room during treatment and clean up thoroughly afterward to remove dead ants and residue.
4. Natural Sprays
Essential oil sprays such as lemongrass, peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil offer a chemical-free alternative to pesticides, effectively controlling ants long-term.
5. Granular Baits
Proactively manage ants with granular baits labeled for specific ant types. Apply small amounts strategically, redirecting worker ants toward plumbing areas. Granular baits continue to work even when wet, making them a reliable choice.
6. Bait Gels
Apply bait gels in cracks and crevices using an applicator tip, ensuring precise delivery of ant bait at regular intervals. Match the bait gel with the ant species for optimal results.
7. Bait Stations
Utilize bait stations with a solid ant killer substance, ensuring the entire colony is affected. Choose a sugar bait formula for specific ant species, activating and setting these self-contained products strategically.
8. What Doesn’t Work
Avoid relying on DIY methods like homemade ant traps with peanut butter, borax, or baking soda, as there is no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.
How To Keep Ants From Coming Back
1. Sanitation Measures
Repair plumbing leaks to eliminate standing water, a common attraction for ants. Prevent wood rot by addressing leaks promptly.
2. Exclusion Methods
Caulk spaces between the toilet and the floor, seal pipe entry points, and caulk areas around faucets to limit ant access.
3. Residual Sprays
Use wettable powder insecticide sprays behind plumbing pipes and fixtures to repel ants. Incorporate insect growth regulators (IGRs) to disrupt larvae development and slow ant reproduction.
What Attracts Ants to Your Bathroom
Ants are drawn to stagnant water from plumbing leaks, easy access points into your home through pipes, fragrances in bath products, and available food sources like crumbs or spilled liquids.
Types of Ants and How To Identify Them
Several ant species invade bathrooms, including Pharaoh ants, odorous house ants, carpenter ants, Argentine ants, and southern fire ants. Identifying the ant type is crucial for effective control measures.
When to Seek Professional Help
If DIY methods prove challenging, consider professional exterminators like Orkin, Terminix, or Aptive. Their trained professionals use advanced traps, baits, and chemically treated solutions for more effective ant elimination.
In conclusion, maintaining a clean and sealed bathroom, coupled with strategic ant control methods, can effectively rid your space of ant infestations. Follow these expert tips to enjoy an ant-free environment and peace of mind. For quotes from reputable exterminators, contact Terminix at 866-701-4556, Orkin at 866-981-1210, or Aptive at 855-521-7075.