Do you want a better way to end termites in the bathroom? As a homeowner, it is frustrating to discover termites in your bathroom for the first time. You become very confused about the next thing to do.
As someone with termite experience, I will share that experience with you.
One problem with termites in the bathroom is that it is very difficult to assess the severity of the damage. It is also difficult to notice them from the beginning.
You can only notice them in your bathroom when the termite infestation has been going on for a while.
Termites are very stubborn; they can stay in your walls long time. They can even cause damage to your structures before you detect them.
But the question is, how did termites get to the bathroom? What do the termites want from the bathroom?
How long will termites stay in the bathroom? And how can you get rid of termites in the bathroom?
These are some of the questions we intend to answer in this article. We will also discuss six things you can do to remove termites in the bathroom.
Let’s dive right into this article for more. Let’s Go
Why Are Termites In My Bathroom?
Whenever you see termites in your bathroom, remember that they are there for three key things.
- moisture
- food
- humidity
The bathrooms often face challenges with leaky pipes that provide moisture for termites. High humidity and inadequate ventilation make the bathroom’s atmosphere conducive for termites.
The moisture in the bathroom lubricates the wood, making it soft for termites to eat.
Subterranean termites like to build their nest in damp areas like bathrooms.
What Can Attract Termites Into The Bathroom?
The moisture in the bathroom encourages termites to build their nest in the walls.
Wet or moist is a key to the survival of subterranean termites because it keeps them hydrated.
Also, subterranean termites need more water to help them digest the wood they feed on.
A bathroom is a perfect place because it provides termites with water all the time.
If you have dumb wood close to your bathroom, it will attract termites to your bathroom.
Another reason why termites like to be in the bathroom is the humidity. If you have poor ventilation in the bathroom, it invites termites to invade the bathroom.
Termites cannot stay without humidity because they have thin skin.
Termites do not like dry places, so if they get to an area with good ventilation, they will dry up and die early.
Can Termites Stay In The Bathroom?
Yes, termites can stay in the bathroom. That should not surprise you a bit. If the bathroom provides all their basic needs, termites can stay for a long time.
Some of their needs are food, water, and humidity. If termites can have it all in the bathroom, they will stay as long as they wish.
Aside from water and food, termites also get places to build their nest in the bathroom.
How Long Will Termites Stay In A Bathroom?
Termites can stay in the bathroom if they can access food, humidity, and moisture. If these three things are in supply, they can stay in your bathroom for decades.
When you have a termite activity in your bathroom, it is not something you need to joke about. It is not the time to experiment if you are not sure. It is a severe issue you must deal with before your house collapses. The longer they stay in your bathroom, the more dangerous it becomes.
If the bathroom starts to dry up, it will dry out the termites, and they will not be able to stay long. Also, studies show that termites cannot stay for long without moisture.
They can endure for three to four days, and they will all die. Also, without food, termites can stay only for two weeks.
So these conditions can make termites stay long in the bathroom or die early in the bathroom.
What Are Some Signs Of Termites In The Bathroom?
Mud Tubes On The Bathroom Walls
One common sign of termites in the bathroom is mud tubes. Termites make these tubes with sand and moisture. They build mud tubes to protect themselves and travel from one area to another as they search for food.
Mud tubes are a strong sign that you have a termite infestation in your bathroom. That needs immediate attention from a professional
Peeling Paints In The Bathroom
Another sign of termite infestation in the bathroom is the wall paints peeling off. These signs often look like water-damaged walls. If you examine it well, you will see that it is s sign of termites.
Loose Titles In The Bathroom Floor
The next sign of termites in the bathroom is when you notice titles becoming loose. It can either be on the bathroom walls or the floor. It occurs when water seeps into the floor to allow termites to crawl in the titles. The frequent title movement will weaken the adhesive used to fix the tiles.
Sagging Ceiling In The Bathroom
It can occur when termites destroy the wooden structures that support the ceiling. When that happens, it weakens the structures that support the ceiling. That can make the ceiling sag because of its weight. When you see your bathroom ceiling sagging, it signifies termite infestation.
Jammed Windows Or Doors In The Bathroom
Jammed windows or doors in the bathroom are another sign of termite infestation. A waterproofing problem in your basement can make the windows and doors warp. That will allow termites to thrive in that area and eat up the cellulose in the wood.
When that happens, it can cause a misalignment in the windows and the doors. That can make the doors or windows unable to slide, swing, or function well.
When you see a misalignment in the bathroom doors, it means you are experiencing jammed doors. It is a sign of termite infestation in the bathroom which needs immediate attention.
Do Termites Live In The Bathroom?
The natural habitat of termites is not in the bathroom but in the forest, but they can live in the bathroom for a reason. Yes, termites can live in the bathroom if they have access to dumb wood and water that can make them thrive.
If the bathroom ventilation is poor, it encourages termites to live in the bathroom.
Also, moisture, wood and humidity make the bathroom welcoming.
Why Do I See Flying Termites In The Bathroom?
I know how it feels, especially if it is your first time seeing flying termites in your bathroom.
Please don’t panic; these are not demons; they are alates.
Wait! Let me break it down. Alates are also swarmers. They are termites that have wings. Alate or swarmers are termites in their reproductive stage and ready to take flight.
They often come out in the spring or summer, but some species can come in November.
You often see swarmers after rains when the atmosphere is calm.
The male and female wing termites leave their colony and mate to build a new colony.
So if you see flying termites in the bathroom, it is a tell-tale sign that you have a termite colony near.
Why Do I See Termites In The Bathroom Vent?
If you see termites in the bathroom vent, it is one of the signs of termite infestation in your bathroom or house. The reason why you see termites in bathroom vents is because of cellulose base materials and water.
Another reason why you can see termites in the bathroom vent is due to the warm temperature and dark environment.
The cellulose base materials in the bathroom vent serve as food for termites. Termites feed on the wood materials in the vent, which can destroy the wooden structures in the vent.
Also, termites cannot survive without water. If you see termites in the bathroom vent, then it means there is a water problem that needs repairs. That can result from poor ventilation, which does not allow water to dry up completely in the bathroom. The water problem can be a result of pipe leakage.
The next thing we can discuss is the bathroom vent’s temperature. The temperature is often between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. That is an ideal temperature for termites to thrive.
Termites like the bathroom vent because of how secretive the place is. Termites like to live in areas that are warm and dark. Dark places help them hide from predators. That makes it tough to find out you have a termite infestation in its initial state.
Why Are There Termites In The Bathroom Sink?
Finding termites in the bathroom sink is easy since the sink always seems wet. That should not be the case, but it can happen when there is a problem with the bathroom sink.
The sink will only be wet if there is any leakage or dripping faucets. That will attract termites close to the sink.
Leaving termites unattended for a long time will lead to serious structural damage in the house.
Termites In Bathroom Tub
When you see termites in the bathroom tub, you do not need anybody to tell you that you have a termite infestation.
Water is essential to the lives of termites because they need water to help them digest the wood they eat. Important.
Termites also need water to help them maintain their body moisture to keep them alive. Without water, they only live for days and die.
That is why you will likely see termites in your bathroom tub if a termite infestation occurs.
Whenever termites invade a bathroom, they search for where to access water and food. So the bathroom tub is another place where termites can access water. That is why you can find termites around the bathroom tubs in the house.
What To Do If I Find Termites In The Bathroom
If you see termites in your bathroom, you must first exterminate them. The reason is that wing termites reproduce very fast. So, if you delay your action, they will multiply in number in no time.
The longer they stay in your bathroom, the more dangerous they can become. They can damage your house, costing a lot of money.
It would help if you invited pest control professionals to do termite inspections. The termite inspection aims to locate a termite colony in the house.
When you find termites in your bathroom, the next action is to find their colony and end it. To be effective, you have to invite termites control professionals to do it.
How To End Termites In The Bathroom: 6 Things You Can Do Quick
If you see termites in your bathroom, the first thing to do is find ways to end them before they eat up your house.
There are two approaches to removing termites in the bathroom.
You can use chemical or natural methods to end termites in your bathroom.
Here is how each of these two methods works.
Use Chemical Pesticides To Get Rid Of Termites In The Bathroom
The chemical method is the quickest way to end termites in the bathroom. So if you see termites in your bathroom and want to do away with them, you can use chemical pesticides.
You can get some to buy at the store to use. But make sure the pesticides you want to buy will not affect your health. Also, ensure that the pesticide is safe to use indoors.
If you dislike using the chemical method, you can opt for the following natural methods.
Natural Methods To End Termites In The Bathroom
Natural methods are the safest ways to end termites in the bathroom. The natural methods need time, commitment, and consistency to achieve the desired results. If you do not mind the time and commitment, you can use the following natural methods.
Use Boric Acid To Get Rid Of Termites In The Bathroom.
The active ingredient in boric acid is sodium salt. Because of that, experts consider boric acid a natural pesticide. So, in 1948 authorities registered boric acid and borate salt as pesticides.
Boric acid became legal to use for pest control. Then, in 1993, the United States Environmental Protection Agency accepted. The EPA registered it as a pesticide for use.
Many insecticides that kill termites and other pests contain boric acid.
That is why boric acid is one of the most effective ways to combat termites in the bathroom.
Spray the boric acid into cracks, ceilings, walls, and other suspected places. Soon, the boric acid will dehydrate the termites, and they will all die.
Use A Cardboard Trap To Get Rid Of Termites From The Bathroom.
Before you use the cardboard trap to get rid of the termites in your bathroom, first identify their nest.
- After you know the location of their nest, the next thing you can do is get cardboard and wet it with water.
- Take the wet cardboard near where the termites have built their nest in the bathroom.
The reason why this trap works is the components in the cardboard can attract termites. These components are cellulose and water. That will pull the termites out of their hiding places and into the cardboard.
When they finally move into the cardboard, you can carry it out and burn it.
Using the cardboard trap does not promise a complete elimination of the termites. So you can repeat this procedure until you no longer see them in the bathrooms.
Use Diatomaceous Earth To Get Rid Of Termites In The Bathroom.
Diatomaceous earth is another effective natural way to control termites and other pests.
The diatomaceous earth powder contains minerals from the remains of fossilized sea creatures. It contains between 80 % – 90% silica.
Research shows a German peasant first discovered diatomaceous earth. He discovered it between the years 1936 and 1937. It was then registered in 1960 as an insecticide to kill insects.
The best way to use diatomaceous earth to end termites in the bathroom is to sprinkle it. Sprinkle it in the area where you suspect termite infestation.
It will first dry up the area, and when the termites crawl over it, it will also dry them up and kill them.
Contact Pest Control Professionals To End Termites In The Bathroom.
Getting professional pest control intervention is the best way to end termite infestation in the bathroom. It is better than doing everything by yourself. It will save you time and also save you from a lot of stress.
The reason why you need a professional is that they can do the work well. It will multiply again if you do it yourself and leave only one termite behind.
That is why it is better to involve professional pest control workers to end the termites in the house. They will initially search your home for termite nests.
They will assess the degree of the infestation and recommend the best solution. And they will also be responsible for treatment selection and termite extermination. Next, these professionals will educate you on termite prevention measures. That is to ensure the termites will not return to the bathroom again.
How To Prevent Termites From Coming Back To Your Bathroom
Congratulations, you have finally ended all the termites in your bathroom. It is time to ensure you will prevent the termites from returning to your bathroom. If you finally got rid of the termites in your bathroom, that does not mean they wouldn’t return.
Now let us look at some activities you need to do to prevent termites from returning to your bathroom.
Limit The Moisture In Your Bathroom
The subterranean termites like to always be at places where they can have access to water. If you want to stop termites from returning to your bathroom, you need to keep your bathroom dry.
At odd hours, there shouldn’t be any dampness in the bathrooms. To ensure your bathroom is always dry, you need to improve your ventilation in the bathroom.
Find Sources Of Stagnant Water And Get Rid Of Them In The Bathroom
Fix the bathroom tiles well to ensure proper wastewater flow to the drains. If the tiles are not well fixed, it won’t be able to direct the waste water outside. That will cause some of the wastewater to get trapped in the bathroom. And that will make water always available in the bathroom.
So ensure you have a good drainage system for proper water flow in the bathroom.
Remember, stagnant water is a breeding ground for termites.
Keep Your Pipes Clean To Avoid Clogging
Termites prefer to build their nest in damp areas. That is what you have to prevent from occurring. Whenever your pipes get choked, it invites termites to come into the pipes and build their nest.
So use proper filters to separate debris from your wastewater so your pipes will not clog.
You should know what should not go down the drain. For example, things like oil or grease can clog your pipes.
You can also prepare hot water and pour it into your pipes often. That will clean the pipes and free them from any clog that is about to form.
Dispose of Any Rotten Wood Or Damaged Items
One of the reasons why termites build their nest in the bathroom is because they can get food to eat. Every wood contains cellulose that termites like to feed on. They like it more when the wood is moist or has decayed because they can digest it.
Inspect your bathroom well, and identify and discard all the rotten and damaged wood. The best way to discard the damaged wood is by burning it.
Also, if you have wood that the previous termites have destroyed in your bathroom, you must dispose of it.
Ensure to dispose of all debris and damaged wood around your bathroom.
Use Termiticide And Diatomaceous Earth To Prevent Termites From Your Bathroom
Termiticide insecticides can kill termites, and they can also repel termites. So if you use the insecticide often, it will prevent termites from returning to your bathroom.
Termiticides and insecticides usually come in spray form, so you only need to buy some and spray.
If you’re unsure which kind to purchase, you can ask a qualified pest control specialist to recommend some. You will only spray it into your cracks, crevices, and vents to keep termites away.
Also, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth in the bathroom to keep termites away.
Do Soil Treatment To Prevent Termites From Coming Back To Your Bathroom
Doing soil treatment is necessary to keep termites out of your bathroom. Use any anti-termite treatment chemicals to do the soil treatment.
You can use chemicals to treat the soil to prevent termites from entering the bathroom. You can also let a professional make the recommendation for you.
Conduct Termites Inspection Once In A While
Apart from the necessary prevention measures, organizing termite inspections would help. You need professional pest control workers to inspect your house.
The pest control agencies are there to ensure you are doing the right thing.
They will also recommend the best preventive insecticide and educate you on how to use it.
Final Thoughts
As a homeowner, I can tell you it is not easy to deal with a termite infestation in the bathroom. It is frustrating, especially if it is your first time dealing with termites.
Knowing that wood, moisture and humidity attract termites to the bathroom is important.
Termites need wood as food and water to digest the wood they eat and to keep them hydrated. Without water and food, they cannot survive for long. Also, they cannot build their nest in the bathroom if the temperature is unfavorable.
So these are the key things that can attract termites into the bathroom. Termites can destroy your structures if you do not end them early.
The first thing is to repair your broken pipes and seal all the cracks in the walls. Improve the bathroom ventilation and discard all rotten wood to keep termites away.
Call a professional pest control agency whenever you see termites in your bathroom.
You can find out how to end ants in the bathroom here.