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December 3, 2007
Ants in the Showerhead
Q: Ed, how do I get rid of ants coming out of my shower head? And why are they there to begin with? I have to run the shower for at least five minutes before I can climb in. Please help; I want throw up! Candice (Alabama)
A: Wow, this is a new one on me, Candice, and it tells me that you need an exterminator and not a plumber. As for feeling sick to your stomach about this problem, just think of them as tiny free plumbers cleaning out water deposits from your shower head. (Just kidding!)
My guess is that the ants are not coming out of your shower head, but they are actually going in your shower head in search of water. You do need to trace where they are coming from to eliminate the problem because new ants will keep showing up from the colony to get more water. In the past I have had success with professional ant bait products that the ants take back to their nests and that will usually destroy the entire colony.
Looks like your ants have found a nice clean source of water and they don't plan on leaving anytime soon. So, it's up to you to take back your shower from them. I feel for you since I have had my battles with critters in the past, and it can be very stressful. But stand your ground, do what you got to do, and hopefully very soon you won't be bugged anymore when you have to take a shower!
Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.Posted by Ed Del Grande at December 3, 2007 12:15 AM
Comments
Get some "Terro" at Ace Hardware. "Terro" is a liquid ant killer. Place the ant killer near the trail the ants follow. They will eat the liquid and carry it back to the nest. The other ants will also eat it and that should rid you of the ants.
Posted by: Jim at December 5, 2007 8:20 AM
Hi Ed!~
I just wanted to let Candice know, she is not alone in this matter. I, too, experienced the ants in the shower ordeal, when I was stationed in Columbia, South Carolina. The ants were coming from everywhere, around the walls, in the shower, and the sinks. Just as Ed advised you, Candice, I had the exterminator come in, but I must say, I did not see the ants begin to disappear until I set those little bait traps. Be encouraged, Candice, trouble won't last always. You all have a blessed and prosperous 2008!~
~Diaha J.~
Atlanta,GA
Posted by: DIAHA J. at December 5, 2007 11:08 AM
Ed was right they are going in first. You didn't say anything about what type of house you havee and if there is a basement or crawl space. The problem could be as simple as pulling back the showerhead cap agianst the wall and spraying an aerosol into the wall void. This may have to be done every few days to get full results. PLEASE read & follow directions. Applying the whole can or even twice whats recommended is only wasting the product and may in fact get you sick. If you have a basement you will want to check there as well. If you have a crawl space you can treat that also. Use extreme caution if you have any gas appliance. The ants may also be getting in from a tree or shrub up agianst or over the roofline. If all this sounds a bit too much you can call an exterminator for a free estimate and most work is guaranteed. If you do it yourself please read all directions and follow them. You can get the chemicals at most home stores. Ask the clerk since this may be a problem he knows about in your area.
Retired exterminator.
Posted by: Mike J. at December 5, 2007 11:18 AM
ants only come into the bathroom while the shower is running. they started small but now they are larger with wings. what's up with that?
Posted by: Anonymous at June 4, 2008 2:15 AM
We have killed several of the small lillte ants in our kitchen. Many of these has an aqua-blue substance that comes out of them. Do you know what this could be?
Posted by: Jim at December 1, 2008 5:48 PM
In the central valley of CA. I have black ants "nesting" in the bathtub spicket. A small pile of black...whatever falls onto the tub and rim. There is nothing in the shower head. We stop using that showered spray home defense bug spray up into the hole and they seem to go away for a while but, then they return. I tried plugging the hole with silly putty but it wasn't a complete seal, they came back.
What do you recomend?
Margie
Posted by: Margie at March 27, 2009 4:50 PM
