How do I get rid of pee ants in my bathroom?

Stormy
by Stormy

I have the little bitty black ants coming out from somewhere in my bathroom wall by my bathtub. We are on disability so we can't remodel. We also have animals so needs to be animal and kid safe. How do I get rid of ants?


  10 answers
  • DesertRose DesertRose on Apr 12, 2019

    Ants are necessary part of nature, but when they intrude they need to be eliminated. Here is a great solution that is safe for family, pets and the environment, yet inexpensive, and best of all it WORKS. It is for any kind of ant. If you can find their trail coming in or mound outside it will help. Anyway, here is the easy cure! https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/ants-safe-and-effective-cure-36651130

  • Sharon Sharon on Apr 12, 2019

    I use a non-toxic ant spray that is primarily either mint, Victor's, or lemongrass oil, EcoLogic or EcoSmart in the house. It kills them on contact, and you can rub the residue on areas like doorways and cupboard edges.

    I have also used the little hockey puck type ant traps that are toxic, but my cats don't bother them. I put them under furniture that is out of the way.

    Caulk the area where they are getting in. And once or twice a year I spray the outside foundation with a Carpenter Ant & Termite spray thats toxic, so I wear a mask and gloves to do the job, I also wear safety googles.

  • William William on Apr 12, 2019

    Perfect from DesertRose. Sprinkle Jiffy muffin mix where you see the ants and bey baseboards. They take it back to the nest. Ants can't digest it and die.

    • See 1 previous
    • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Apr 13, 2019

      5 Myths about Ants Debugged

      Ant control can be a major pain.

      Before we delve into our list of common ant myths, let’s take a look at these familiar insects and the traits that make them so difficult to eliminate.

      Ant Facts

      Ants are considered social insects and organize themselves in colonies. They communicate using their olfactory receptors – in other words, they use their scent to pass important information to other ants in the colony. This is the reason why “the ants go marching one by one” or travel in a straight line, returning to the same locations time and time again.

      One of the smallest insects that can invade your home, ants are notorious for causing big headaches, leaving frustrated homeowners up to their own devices when it comes to wiping out their ant infestations. Here are some of the most creative, albeit false, theories circulating the web:

      MYTH: Cinnamon kills ants.

      TRUTH: Ants don’t like cinnamon but unfortunately it doesn’t kill or repel them.

      MYTH: Vinegar kills ants.

      TRUTH: Vinegar just removes the smell/trace of ants. While it may help confuse or throw off the rest of the colony, vinegar alone might not be enough to rid your home of these bothersome insects.

      MYTH: Boiling water repels ants.

      TRUTH: If – and only if – the water is boiling will it kill the ants that it is poured on. However, it will not repel future ants from invading your home.

      MYTH: Ants won’t cross a chalk or powder line.

      TRUTH: A chalk/powder line may temporarily stop the ants (it’s the smell that “ disrupts the scent trail”) but it won’t be long before they figure out a way around the chalk. We probably don’t have to tell you, but ants are very persistent creatures!

      MYTH: Uncooked grains, like oatmeal,cornmeal or grits, will kill ants by expanding in their stomachs and then exploding.

      TRUTH: Despite popular belief, there is no evidence that ants can be killed off by dumping grains in or around the “hive.” What we do know is that only the oldest members of an ant colony can digest solid food. The adult, worker, and reproductive ants, can only digest liquids.

      And the biggest ant control myth of all?

      As long as you kill or remove the ants you can see, your problem is solved.

  • I use packaged cornbread mix that says it is sweetened and put it where they are. They will take it to the mound, everyone will eat it and die, they can't digest the cornmeal, but will take it because it is sweetened. Little goes a long way.


    I read this from : Itsmemic

    Medicated powder from the Dollar Tree. It has eucalyptus in it...menthol...I puff it around my homes foundation..and inside under my birdcages in the cracks under moldings. Work immediately and they never come back. I do this at the first sign of ants..in one day..GONE. The powder is in a very large container and lasts quite awhile too !! And smells great !

    Not toxic to my birds OR dog


    What if you make a barrier around the house.

    I did some research, since we know what works for one person doesn't always work for another. I found this site and it's pretty informative. I know some tips you may not be able to use but there are some good ones also that will hopefully help.

    https://www.familyhandyman.com/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-ants/view-all/

    • 34354174 34354174 on Apr 13, 2019

      Cornmeal is not good for animals. It is hard to digest and can cause severe digestive issues.

      Please put in an area you pets cannot get to.

  • Hi Stormy - Those little buggers are relentless, aren't they?!? This is the most effective method and all-natural spray DIY that we use with ants. It's best indoors, but will also work outside with more frequent applications. Hope this helps! Hugs, Holly

    https://pinkfortitude.com/ant-spray/

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Apr 13, 2019

    If you use any of the above ways you need to add Boric acid or Borax. Fastest way to be rid of them Amdro ant bait just put a little on trail and they carry back to colony it kills everything it only takes 2-12 hrs tops. Just put a little next to/beside the ant trails and put something over it then shut the door for a hour so the ants can get it to colony,then you can clean up what is left after trail is gone.just try not to actually disrupt the trail.If you disrupt trail they'll stop working or move trail somewhere else.Yes I know you said you prefer non toxic. so use the Borax--Borax has a low toxicity for people and animals, but ants are another story. When ants consume the boraxbait, it interferes with their digestive system and gradually kills them. This slow kill allows time for the worker ants to carry the bait back to the nest to share with the rest of the colony and queen.just keep everything away from area for a little while and get rid of ants put it down when everyone goes to bed put a board or something over it keep bathroom door shut. I use the Amdro ant bait and have 9 animals, kid in house never had a problem.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jul 11, 2023

    You could use Terro, available at Lowes and Home Depot, just put it where the pets cannot get to it.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 12, 2023

    Store toiletries properly

    Cut off a potential food supply by keeping toiletries stored properly. Put the cap back on the toothpaste after use, and ensure that you tightly fasten the lids on all toiletries and cosmetics. Rather than a soap dish, use an enclosed holder with drainage holes to store bar soap. If you have pump bottles of hand soap or lotion near the sink, wipe off the tip of the dispenser spout after use.

    Clean regularly

    Rinse out your sink after every use and wipe down the vanity daily. Clean the bathtub and shower at least once per week. At least once a month, give the bathroom a deep cleaning, paying attention to trouble spots like the floors of showers and tubs and the space behind the toilet.

    For floor care, sweep or vacuum daily, or every other day while you still have ants. Mop the floor once per week.

    Secure the trash

    Use a lid on your bathroom wastebasket. While you have an active infestation, take the trash out daily and secure bags tightly before disposal. Wipe out the inside of the garbage can once per week.

    Deal with leaks promptly

    Don’t ignore a dripping shower head or leaky sink faucet. Take care of leaks as soon as you notice them.

    Keep things dry

    After you shower, bathe, or use the sink, pat the surface dry with a hand towel. Use machine-washable bath mats to prevent puddles from forming on the floors and launder them regularly.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 14, 2023

    Keep animals out of bathroom. Spray areas with Ant killer until gone! Then wash down area and dry!