Keeping cockroaches out of the bathroom is frustrating—especially when they seem to come up through the shower drain. They’re attracted to warmth and moisture, so pipes and damp drains can become an easy pathway even in clean homes. That’s why people look for simple, low-effort ways to make drains harder to use, like the “party balloon” trick.

Roaches can exploit tiny gaps around a drain cover, and the balloon method works by narrowing those gaps without fully blocking the drain. To do it, remove the drain cover, cut off both ends of a standard balloon so you’re left with a stretchy band, and fit that band around the underside/edge of the cover. When you put the cover back, it acts like a snug gasket that reduces the space insects can squeeze through.

Used correctly, it can be a small physical barrier—but it isn’t a complete solution and it needs checking. If it traps hair/debris or slows drainage, it should be adjusted or removed right away so water doesn’t pool. Think of it as a “reduce the openings” trick, not a permanent seal.

It works best paired with basic prevention: keep the bathroom as dry as possible, wipe wet surfaces, clean drains regularly, and seal cracks or gaps around pipes (since roaches often enter from behind walls or under floors). Pest control usually works best as layers of small barriers, and with consistent upkeep, this kind of low-cost method can help reduce unwanted visitors without harsh chemicals.