Given that ants are one of the most prevalent pests on the planet, and control products number in the hundreds. We also don’t want ants living inside our houses.

However, if you approach household ant control incorrectly, you risk splitting the colony and exacerbating the issue.

The best ant killer takes advantage of the insects’ propensity to forage, gather poison, and then return to the nest, where it destroys the entire colony.

I’m going to share with you what I have discovered over the years, effective ant control methods, and much more in the remaining sections of this manual. To assist you in killing ants, we’ll discuss the top 11 products. Keep reading!

Best Ant Killer 2022: Top 11

• 1. Best Overall: Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait Granules
• 2. Best Budget: Ortho BugClear Insect Killer for Lawns & Landscapes
• 3. Best Pet-Safe: Aunt Fannie’s Ant Remedy Ant Killer Spray
• 4. Best Spray: Raid Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray
• 5. Best Granules: Terro Outdoor Ant Killer Granules
• 6. Best Outdoor: Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits
• 7. Best for Safety: Orange Guard 101 Home Pest Control
• 8. best for carpenter ants: BioAdvanced Carpenter Ant and Termite Killer Plus
• 9. Best for Fire Ants: Ortho Fire Ant Killer Mound Treatment
• 10. Best Upgrade Pick: Advion Ant Bait Gel Indoxacarb-Case
• 11. Best Natural: Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Control

Best Ant Killer Review

1. Best Overall: Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait Granules

Pros

• Great value
• Lasts three months
• Kills entire colony

Cons

• Not suitable for use around pets.

Amdro Ant Block is our top recommendation for a long-lasting fix that attacks the problem at its root. Because they smell like food, these granules serve as ant bait. The granules are then brought back to the colony by the ants, where the queen disposes of them there. To establish a baited barrier of protection around your house, shake Amdro. An entire container can treat an average-sized house five times, or nearly 1,100 linear feet. Carpenter ants, fire ants, and more than 20 other ant species can all be eliminated with just one treatment that can last up to three months.

Be aware that Amdro should not be used around animals. Our top choice overall due to its long-lasting effect and colony-elimination abilities despite being restricted to homes without pets. One of our testers used Amdro around her Portland, Oregon, home and made the following observations: “In my experience, ants in the house started to drastically decrease after a day or two, and I am still experiencing this relief two months after finishing treatment.”

2. Best Budget: Ortho Bugclear Insect Killer For Lawns & Landscapes

Pros

• Ample quantity
• Comes ready to use
• Effective for 6 months

Cons

• Meant for use outdoors
• Requires compatible hose

The active components in this Ortho BugClear ant killer lawn spray are bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin, and they can be used to treat both new and ongoing ant infestations outside the home. The two active ingredients slowly block sodium channels, which are necessary for the nervous system to function normally, killing the affected ants and causing starvation, paralysis, and death.

This ant killer lawn spray is a cost-effective solution; it comes in a ready-to-use 32-ounce spray bottle and has enough ant killer solution inside to treat a lawn infestation for up to six months. It’s a versatile product that can also control more than 200 other insect species in addition to ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, and spiders.

3. Best Pet-safe: Aunt Fannie’s Ant Remedy Ant Killer Spray

Pros

• Safe for pets
• Kills on contact
• Easy to use

Cons

• Not preventative

Aunt Fannie’s Ant Remedy is a great option for people who have pets at home. It’s safe to use around pets and children because it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, and because it’s made with essential oils, it kills marching insects in a natural way with no unpleasant smells. Simply spray it on, and within minutes your home will be free of ants.

4. Best Spray: Raid Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Plant-based formula
• Safe for indoor use
• Kills on contact

Cons

• Not preventative
• Strong smell

Keep a can of Raid on hand if ants are a problem in your personal space. It is safe to use this aerosol spray in any room of your house, including the kitchen and areas where children or pets congregate. It kills on contact. While the smell is somewhat overpowering, the plant-based formula’s inclusion of lemongrass and other essential oils provides immediate pest defense3.

5. Best Granules: Terro Outdoor Ant Killer Granules

Pros

• Kills entire colony
• Prevents entry
• Easy to use

Cons

• Not safe to use around pets

Granules are fantastic at keeping ants out of your house because they erect a barrier of bait that the ants mistake for food. When the ants bring this 3-pound bag of Terro Outdoor Ant Killer back to the queen, it effectively kills the entire colony. The practical resealable bag’s ability to facilitate simple shaking is another feature we appreciate. To spread the granules, simply unzip it, hold the handle, and shake it around the outside of your home. The end result was a month or so without any ants, cockroaches, or fleas.

6. Best Outdoor: Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits

Pros

• Kills entire colony
• Waterproof design
• Prevents entry

Cons

• Can be tricky to open

You might also think about Terro Liquid Ant Baits for outdoor defense. You can put them outside your house on paving stones or any other flat surface, or you can use the stakes that come with them to bury them on your lawn. You will receive a box containing six stations, each containing an ounce of the liquid bait that marchers adore. They’ll bring it back to the queen, who will pass away, killing off the colony as a whole.

7. Best For Safety: Orange Guard 101 Home Pest Control

Pros

• Ample quantity
• Safe for children and pets
• Easy to apply
• Safe for indoor and outdoor use

Cons

• Spray nozzle not included
• Expensive
• Heavyweight

In situations where curious children and animals are present or where ants are a problem in a kitchen, Orange Guard is a wise choice. D-limonene, the spray’s active ingredient, is non-toxic to humans and animals and safe for the environment.

Spraying this pest control solution directly on ants will kill them on contact. You should also use it in cracks and crevices around your house to prevent infestations. The strong scent of d-limonene repels ants, roaches, and fleas in addition to affecting insects’ respiratory systems and making them suffocate. One gallon of liquid contains this product.

8. Carpenter Ant-friendly: Bio-advanced Carpenter Ant And Termite Killer Plus

Pros

• Lasts three months
• Great value
• No-drip formula
• Works on multiple types of pests

Cons

• Requires mixing and a spray bottle

Do you have a Carpenter ant issue? It’s going to be your new best friend, BioAdvanced Carpenter Ant, and Termite Killer Plus. A strong pesticide concentrate is contained in this 40-ounce jug; you can mix it with water and use a spray bottle to apply it. In addition to eliminating carpenter ants immediately upon contact, it also eliminates a variety of other pests, such as spiders, ticks, termites, crickets, and even scorpions. The fact that you can use it both inside and outside is also something we appreciate.

9. Best For Fire Ants: Ortho Fire Ant Killer Mound Treatment

Pros

• Kills entire colony
• Works quickly
• Preventative

Cons

• Doesn’t last as long as other treatments

The big guns—namely, Ortho Mount Treatment—might be required if you’re up against a fire ant infestation. Not only is it simple to use, but this 4-pound bag of granules is also very powerful. Simply sprinkle the mixture on your lawn, then water it to allow it to saturate the soil. The colony will soon be extinct as a whole. Additionally, it stops new ones from growing.

10. Best Upgrade Pick: Advion Ant Bait Gel Indoxacarb-case

Pros

• Comes with 4 ant baits
• Easy to apply
• Kills more ants within the colony

Cons

• Indoor use only
• Expensive

This Advion product is one of many long-lasting, simple-to-use gel ant baits and killers. Each of the four plungers in the kit comes with an ounce of ant bait gel. For precise application around sinks, under or near trash cans, and around appliances like the fridge or stove, users slowly discharge the plunger. The gel bait is designed to be used indoors. Even though it is more expensive than ant dust, it is easier to apply and leaves less mess where ants are an issue.

Indoxacarb is the name of the active component in this gel ant bait. It can be ingested or absorbed through contact, and once it does, it immediately stops the flow of sodium ions into the nerve cells of the ant’s nervous system, causing it to stop functioning. The ants stop eating, become paralyzed, and eventually perish, but not before tracking the gel back to the nest so that other ants in the colony can contract it.

11. Best Natural: Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Control

Pros

• Great value
• Natural formula
• Prevents and kills
• Safe to use around kids and pets

Cons

• Oily formula

Do you need a natural remedy that is non-toxic to children and animals? Mighty Mint is the wisest choice. This powerful spray utilizes Mother Nature to fight ants, spiders, and other bugs and is made entirely of plant-based ingredients. We also like that the 128-ounce jug contains enough ant killer to last you through several treatments. The active ingredient is peppermint essential oil, which both wards off and kills those creepy crawlers, whether inside or outside.

Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Ant Killer

Determine the species that are invading your house or yard before buying an ant killer. Consult AntWeb, a global online database of all ant species, to identify a specific pest. The following, however, is most likely to be encountered by people who live in North America:

• Odorous house ants are small brown or black ants that nest in walls and under floors. They are attracted to sugar and are most active in the spring and summer.
• Pavement ants are brown or black in color. They frequently swarm over paving stones in what appears to be a fierce conflict with other pavement ants. Alates also referred to as swarmers, are pavement ants that can fly to establish new colonies.
• Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species in Carpenter ants are native to North America, and their name suggests that they like wood. This destructive species, which includes both swarmers and workers, bores holes in walls, floors, and ceilings, leaving behind visible piles of sawdust.
• Fire ants, which are small and reddish-brown in color, build mounds in the yard that look like piles of loose dirt. Due to their painful sting, which causes swelling, itching, and a burning sensation, fire ants are the most immediate threat to people and animals. Fire-ant venom can cause throat swelling and difficulty breathing, so people who are allergic to insect stings should take extra precautions.

Different Types Of Ant Killers

We will categorize popular ant-killing products here. You will be aware of what you’re working with when you view our picks for the best ant killers below as a result. Sometimes, the basic functionality of an ant-killing product is not even described! With that, we can assist.

Ant Spray

Among the more widely used ant-killing products are sprays. They are one of the simplest and most convenient ant control methods, and they can be used right away to deal with immediate ant problems, like when they are crawling across your kitchen floor. No need to fuss with powders and gels at this time! Simply grab your ant-killing spray, spritz those little pests, and sweep up the leftovers.

Additionally, ant repellent spray can be applied beforehand. On surfaces in your home where you anticipate ants may like to travel and live, spray it. Ants are able to detect toxic odors and typically stay away from them, so it can completely deter them. When applying sprays in this way, exercise caution because you don’t want to touch anything that has insecticide on it soon.

Liquids or foams are both acceptable forms of spray. Foam sprays are advantageous because they can expand into tight spaces. A foam will transform into this kind of enlarged, deadly bubble bath where a liquid would only pool or drip. Insects wouldn’t typically enjoy taking a bath in it. They actually much prefer to stay away from this stuff. Sprays can be applied in advance because of this.

If you use ant repellent sprays in advance, make sure it is on surfaces like those behind your toilet, below sinks, and beneath refrigerators. Smaller infestation issues may be resolved by ant sprays alone, but a large infestation will probably call for the heavy hitters (baits and traps). Even so, having a portable ant killer spray on hand is a good idea because infestations do not like it. (Where is your queen now, intruders? (They are rather satisfying to use) Take that!

Liquid Or Gel Bait Ant Killer

We guarantee that liquid/gel bait is worth its weight in dead ants. Liquid bait does indeed work. Liquids and gels are more akin to nuclear missiles than sprays, which are like handguns for ant-killing formulas. Readers, it’s DEFCON 1 and the Cold War has just gotten really hot once you start putting liquid/gel baits all over the place. With enticing gel, hit those ants where it hurts and tempts them to your buffet of liquid death.

The fact that ants are social insects is one of the best characteristics of gel and liquid baits. They cannot manage that gel on their own. They will make calls to their fellow soldiers, and waves of them will end up lathering themselves in this delectable goop. They share their discoveries when they get back to the nest. Chain-killing is another name for this: One insect is poisoned, and as a result, many more are killed alongside him. The queen may share with them if you’re lucky, which is pretty much the quickest way to destroy an ant nest. Sharing is caring!

Ant Poison In The Liquid Or Gel

We now come to a potential disadvantage: The poison must necessarily act slowly. The ants that consume your poison bait won’t perish right away. You are playing the long game when you use bait. It takes some time for the gel to enter and affect an ant’s nervous system, which is crucial because, during that time, other ants are exposed to the bait. If the bait is working, you might initially notice that there are more ants than usual feasting on your bait, which would indicate that the bait is effective.

We understand you didn’t want any more ants. But the ant activity will quickly decline after a brief localized peak around the bait, and you will understand why.

Occasionally, traps or tiny cartridges with the poison inside are sold along with these poisons. The ants march into the trap and emerge to distribute the gel throughout the colony. The poison is already contained in the trap, which is a small, handy package.

As a result, you can avoid dropping or applying ant poison directly to surfaces throughout your home. Even though it somewhat restricts the application, this results in a cleaner solution. Sometimes it’s simpler to put a drop of a gel than a trap in a small crevice. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have some tube-dispensed gel and some extra gel traps as well.

Powder Bait Ant Killer

Ant powder is a chain killer that, like gels, lures ants to it so they will come close and become friends. The powder covers the ants’ bodies, dusting them and invading their nervous systems. The powder begins to take hold gradually, and the ants slowly return to their colonies where they spread the powder throughout the others, ultimately causing mass death.

The main component of this substance is boric acid, which, while deadly to insects, is much less harmful to human anatomy. Nevertheless, avoid becoming too familiar with this material. Surfaces should be lightly dusted, then you should wait. Most of the time, you’ll be applying this substance directly because it rarely comes in traps.

Placing electronic repellents in areas without traps can be very effective in the case of any bait. A variety of insects are driven to flee by the unpleasant vibrations and sounds that these repellents emit. Through the use of these deterrents, you may be able to herd the ants into a particular area of the house where they will probably come into contact with your bait.

Glue Traps Ant Killer

Some people would rather completely avoid chemicals. One option for people looking to get rid of infestations without sprays, gels, and powders is to use glue traps. You can set up a glue trap close to the areas of your house where ants congregate to give them a nasty welcome surprise. They will remain stuck to the trap, helplessly fused and powerless to do much until they perish. The ants can suffer a quicker but more painful death if they struggle too much and their limbs rip off.

Combining different ant-killing products can be a good idea in some cases. Slow-moving chain killers like gels and powders don’t go well with this product. Glue traps prevent ants from dispersing slow-acting poisons throughout their colonies, which is why they work as intended. Getting caught in a glue trap prevents you from sharing with your friends!

There’s also the possibility that glue traps won’t be as effective as some other ant-killing options if there aren’t any baits to attract the ants. Before it can catch them, they must step into the trap.

How To Chose The Best Ant Killers?

The best ant killer can guarantee that there is an adequate ant and pest control in your home or garden. Numerous of our top picks from the list above are created using formulas that are secure for households with kids and pets while also lasting for weeks or months at a time. Chemicals in these choices like borax, bifenthrin, indoxacarb, and zeta-cypermethrin have been shown to be efficient at killing ants and other insects for all-around prevention.

The full effects of the aforementioned choices are also delivered instantly or within 72 hours, making them fast-acting choices. Applying dust, using a hose to spray, or placing one or more bait stations inside your house are all simple ways to use or set up these ant killers. Many outdoor formulations are waterproofed as well for longer-lasting results. The queen and all the other ants in the colony are conveniently killed by some of these formulas that attach themselves to ants and then carry poison back to the nest.

FAQs