Ants in the Bathroom? Here's Why It Happens and How to Stop It

Why Do I Have Ants in the Bathroom?

Ants are drawn to bathrooms for several reasons, with moisture being the main one. During dry weather or drought conditions, ants often head indoors in search of water. Leaky faucets, damp floors, dripping showerheads, or clogged drains can all attract ants. Standing water in your bathroom creates the perfect environment for these pests.

In addition to moisture, ants can easily enter your bathroom through tiny gaps around windows, cracks in tile grout, open vents, or plumbing access points.

You might also be unknowingly providing food sources. Ants feed on items you wouldn’t expect, including toothpaste, shampoo, soap residue, tissues, and even hair or skin cells.

Another reason for ants in the bathroom? Nesting. Warm, humid areas behind walls and under floors—especially near pipes—can become ideal nesting sites. If there’s moisture damage or softened wood inside the walls, ants may already be setting up a colony.

Common Types of Ants Found in Jacksonville Bathrooms

Jacksonville homes deal with a wide variety of ants, some of which are simply annoying while others can pose health or property risks. Here are some of the most common ant species that invade bathrooms in Northeast Florida:

• Argentine ants seek water sources inside homes and hide inside wall cavities, behind tiles, or near leaking pipes.
• Carpenter ants look for damp or rotting wood near leaky tubs or windows. They hide in water-damaged wood, such as around window frames, behind baseboards, or under floors. Over time, they can weaken structures.
• Ghost ants are attracted to moisture and sweet scents (including soaps and shampoos) and are likely found in wall voids, behind cabinets, or under sinks.
• Odorous house ants love moisture and sugary residues (like toothpaste). They hide behind baseboards, inside wall voids, or near plumbing leaks.
• Pharaoh ants are drawn to warmth and humidity. When they infest homes, they’re often found deep inside wall voids, especially in warm, moist areas.

How to Get Rid of Ants in the Bathroom (DIY Prevention Tips)

If you want to prevent ants in your bathroom or eliminate minor infestations, here are some DIY ant control tips you can try:

• Repair leaky faucets and plumbing fixtures.
• Wipe down sinks, tubs, and shower walls after use.
• Use a bathroom fan or dehumidifier to reduce humidity.
• Seal cracks around tiles, windows, and doors.
• Close gaps around pipes and vents.
• Store toothpaste, soap, and toiletries in sealed containers.
• Take out bathroom trash regularly and use a sealed trash bin.
• Check for signs of ant nests in wall voids or under flooring.

These steps can help reduce ant activity, but professional help is the best option for larger or recurring infestations.

Professional Ant Control in Jacksonville, FL

DIY ant treatments often fall short, especially if you’re unsure what type of ant you’re dealing with. Over-the-counter sprays and traps typically only kill the ants you see, not the hidden colony. And without targeting the source, the problem will keep coming back.

At Lindsey Pest Services, we provide expert home pest control in Jacksonville, FL, that gets results. Our technicians identify the exact ant species in your home and create a custom treatment plan to eliminate the colony and prevent reinfestation. We've got you covered whether ants are showing up in your bathroom, kitchen, or other areas.

Do You Have Ants in Your Bathroom? Contact Lindsey Pest Today!

If you see ants in your bathroom or suspect an ant infestation anywhere in your home, don’t wait for it to worsen. Call Lindsey Pest Services for fast, effective pest control in Greater Jacksonville and along the First Coast!

Contact us today to schedule your inspection and say goodbye to bathroom ants for good.