Next, inspect the perimeter. Check caulking around pipes, fixtures, and the base of the toilet for cracks or gaps. Examine the seals on doors and windows. Apply fresh caulk or weatherstripping wherever gaps are found. Clean the drain regularly to remove organic buildup, and confirm that the plumbing trap — the curved pipe section that holds water — is intact and functioning, as it forms a natural barrier against insects coming up through the sewer line.
A balloon over the drain is a surface fix for a problem that typically runs deeper. The combination of moisture reduction, gap sealing, and routine plumbing maintenance addresses the conditions insects are actually responding to — and does so in ways no viral hack can replicate.
