Top 5 Ant Killers
Best Liquid Bait: Terro Liquid Ant Baits Most Versatile: Raid Multi Insect Killer Best Dust: Terro Ant Dust Best Non-Toxic Killer: Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil Best For Lawns: Ortho BugClear Insect Killer
Best Liquid Bait: Terro Liquid Ant Baits
This liquid bait targets ants outside before they can get into your home. Arriving with six bait stations, you can scatter them across your property to treat multiple areas. The liquid bait in the stations contains borax, which is a slow-acting chemical. It doesn’t kill ants on contact—instead, it waits until the ants have carried the poison back to their colony before killing them.
Key Features
Liquid bait Six bait stations Outdoor use
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked these stations said that they were easy to use, collected a lot of ants, and prevented ants from returning once they were eradicated. However, those who were unhappy with this ant killer said that the cap was flimsy and difficult to turn and that the concoction didn’t always kill ants.
Most Versatile: Raid Multi Insect Killer
If you want a product that targets more than ants, this may be the killer for you. This spray kills ants, spiders, roaches, flies, and more whether you apply it indoors or outdoors. Because insects die as soon as they come into contact with the poison, you can even use this killer to target the stray pest you see walking across your floor.
Key Features
Spray bait 15-ounce container Indoor and outdoor use
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers liked that this spray didn’t have an overbearing smell, was effective at killing multiple types of insects, and worked quickly. However, some customers claimed that they had to spray a lot of the product to kill pests. Even then, it sometimes struggled to kill large bugs.
Best Dust: Terro Ant Dust
This dust is sprinkled into door and window cracks and other crevices around your home. It can eliminate an infestation of any size as well as any insect, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, and wasps.
Key Features
Dust bait One-pound container Indoor and outdoor use
What Customers Are Saying
Those who liked this product said that it was simple to use, kept bugs away for a long time, and showed results quickly. However, those who didn’t like this ant killer claimed that it was ineffective against fire ants and was a hassle to clean up.
Best Non-Toxic Killer: Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
If you need to kill ants without the fear of your pets or children ingesting harmful chemicals, this is the product for you. It’s made from peppermint oil and other plant-based ingredients, so it’s safe when it’s used as directed. It also doubles as an air freshener, leaving your home smelling fresh after application.
Key Features
Spray bait One-gallon container Indoor and outdoor use
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers said that this killer worked instantly, didn’t have an overpowering scent, and also removed spiders. However, those who were unhappy with this spray claimed that the sprayer was difficult to operate and that ants sometimes returned once the smell died down.
Best For Lawns: Ortho BugClear Insect Killer
Ants can be just as big of an annoyance outside as they are inside. This killer works to get rid of those on your grass, ornamentals, flowers, trees, shrubs, and more. It comes in a large bottle that sprays its insecticide after you attach its nozzle to your garden hose.
Key Features
Spray bait 32-ounce container Outdoor use
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this insect killer said that it offered easy application, was odorless, and worked on a wide variety of pests. However, those who were less pleased said that the spray didn’t cover as much ground as advertised and that the sprayer was poorly designed.
Buyer’s Guide
Make an informed purchase by reading our explanation of the factors below.
Type of Killer
Ant killers can be divided into two categories—bait and kill-on-contact. Baits slowly poison ants. By the time they take their full effect, the ant has already returned to its colony and spread the poison to other ants. On the other hand, kill-on-contact ant killers eliminate ants right away. While this type works quickly, it can’t tackle widespread infestations.
Type of Insect
Most ant killers target several ant species as well as other household pests. It’s not uncommon for a single product to kill:
Carpenter ants Fire ants Pavement ants Cockroaches Spiders Wasps Flies Ticks Mosquitoes Other crawling and flying insects
Toxicity
Many ant killers can’t be used around pets or children because of their poisonous formula. This is especially true for baits because they’re placed on the ground where they can be easily accessed. If you have pets or children, put your traps in hard-to-reach places, or use a non-toxic spray.
Application
The form an ant killer comes in affects how it’s applied. Popular forms include:
Gel Liquid Granule Dust Spray
Types of Ants
The four species of ants you will likely see around your home are house, carpenter, pavement, and fire ants. House ants are typically active in the summer and drawn by sugary foods. Carpenter ants are active near wood, while pavement ants are found near concrete. Bright red fire ants are the most threatening type of ant. If they feel that they’re in danger, they will sting you, leaving you with a spot that burns, swells, and itches. If you can identify the type of ant that’s causing your infestation, make sure that the ant killer you choose targets this species.
How Do Ants Get in My House?
How did your infestation start? All homes have holes, cracks, and gaps that ants are adept at finding and climbing through if they have the motivation. You can try to seal these gaps, though this is likely a losing battle. Instead, focus on taking measures to prevent your home from being attractive to ants. The following tips will help you do this.
Clean counters and floors to eliminate food particles. Empty your trash regularly. Keep food sealed in your pantry, cabinet, or fridge. Ensure gutters move rainwater away from your home.
How do you use an ant killer?
It depends on what type you have. For baits, set them in the corner of a room where you have seen ants. For sprays, simply spray the killer directly onto an infested area or onto an insect itself. Be sure to read your killer’s use instructions, as the manufacturer will provide you with more details that pertain to your specific product.
What’s the best way to get rid of ants in my kitchen?
To get rid of ants in your kitchen and keep them from coming back, you need to target the entire colony. The best way to do this is with bait, as this gets carried back to the rest of the ants.
When should I contact an exterminator?
You should be able to eliminate even larger ant infestations with frequent use of the right ant killer. However, if your problem isn’t going away, it may be best to let the professionals handle it.
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