A spotless home doesn’t always mean a pest-free one—especially in the bathroom. Few things are more unsettling than spotting a cockroach where cleanliness matters most. What surprises many homeowners is that these unwelcome guests aren’t always drawn in by dirt or neglect. Often, they arrive through an unseen route: your plumbing.
Cockroaches thrive in warmth, darkness, and moisture, which makes pipes and drains the perfect travel system. Shower drains, in particular, can act like open doors from the sewer line straight into your home. While chemical sprays and professional extermination are common solutions, a growing number of homeowners are turning to something far simpler—and unexpectedly effective: a balloon.
The logic behind this method lies in basic plumbing design. Most drains use a curved pipe called a P-trap, meant to hold water and block sewer gases. However, when water levels drop or usage is inconsistent, pests can still squeeze through. Cockroaches are incredibly flexible and can flatten their bodies to pass through gaps that seem impossibly small. Standard drain covers often aren’t enough.
The balloon method doesn’t repel pests—it blocks them. It works as a mechanical barrier rather than a chemical one, creating a tighter seal where insects usually slip through. To do it, remove the drain cover and take a regular latex balloon. Cut off the tip and neck, leaving a stretchy band. Fit this band snugly around the underside or edge of the drain cover before reinstalling it. The latex fills tiny gaps, forming a flexible gasket that insects can’t easily breach.
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