Even people who clean their bathrooms regularly often find themselves asking the same frustrating question: How do cockroaches keep getting into the shower? These pests thrive in warm, damp environments, and bathroom drains offer exactly the kind of hidden, humid pathways they love. What many homeowners don’t realize is that bugs often travel through connected plumbing systems—and your shower drain can become their unexpected entry point.
That’s why a surprising, low-cost trick has been gaining attention: using a simple party balloon to block pests from crawling up through the pipes. It may sound almost too easy, but this tiny hack can create a flexible, effective barrier that drastically reduces unwanted visitors. Because balloons stretch so tightly, they can narrow the drain opening while still allowing water to pass through, making it harder for insects to squeeze up from below.
The method takes only a few minutes. Start by removing your shower drain cover and cutting the ends off a regular balloon so that it becomes a stretchy tube. Slide this tube around the drain cover until it fits snugly—tight enough to stay in place but flexible enough to move when water flows. Once the cover is reinstalled, the balloon forms a slimmer tunnel inside the drain, shrinking the space cockroaches usually take advantage of.
Pairing the balloon trick with good bathroom routines makes the results even better. Wiping down surfaces after showering, keeping the area as dry as possible, and cleaning around the drain all help reduce the moisture that attracts bugs in the first place. It also pays to inspect the bathroom for small cracks around pipes, along the wall, or between tiles. Even tiny gaps can become entry routes, so sealing them adds another layer of protection.
With such a simple combination of habits—and one inexpensive balloon—you can keep your bathroom fresher, cleaner, and far less appealing to pests. It’s a small change that brings surprising peace of mind every time you step into the shower.