This Simple Balloon Trick for Your Shower Drain Actually Works

Even a bathroom that looks perfectly clean can end up with cockroaches. That’s because these pests don’t always show up due to mess or grime. Many times, they travel straight through the plumbing system. Warm, dark, and moist environments are exactly what roaches seek out, and pipes and drains can quietly become an underground passageway from sewer lines into your home.

Because of this, some homeowners rely on an unexpectedly simple trick: using a balloon. Rather than spraying chemicals or placing traps, the goal is to block the tiny openings around a shower drain where insects can squeeze through. Even if your drain has a P-trap, low water levels or infrequent use can leave just enough space for roaches to pass. Their bodies are flexible enough to flatten and slip through extremely narrow gaps.

The idea works like a homemade seal. First, remove the drain cover. Then cut a latex balloon to create a stretchy ring and place it around the underside or edge of the cover before putting it back in place. The soft rubber fills in small spaces, making it much harder for pests to sneak through. Some people position the balloon so it slightly extends into the pipe, allowing it to open when water flows and collapse afterward.

This isn’t a permanent, maintenance-free solution. Bathrooms naturally collect hair and soap buildup, and if the balloon is too tight or shifts out of place, it can slow water flow and cause pooling—something that actually attracts roaches. Checking it once a week is a smart habit. When combined with simple practices like keeping the bathroom dry, lowering humidity, and sealing other pipe openings, this low-cost, chemical-free trick can add an extra layer of defense and make your bathroom far less appealing to unwanted visitors.