The Best Ant Killer

Pest Strategies

More than just a common nuisance, ants can invade your living space and turn your place of peace and comfort into a residential nightmare. Fortunately, using the best ant killer will help get rid of these pests in a timely fashion. To help you find the right one, Pest Strategies researched several products on Amazon. Continue reading below to discover our top picks.

1 Best liquid bait
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4GACB8

TERRO Ant Killer

What We Like: If you’re strapped for time or don’t want to put a lot of effort into an otherwise minor ant infestation, this 12-pack of ant traps is an ideal solution. They’re very easy to use, and the liquid is designed to stay contained, so you won’t have to clean up a big mess. Although this ant killer contains borax, an active ingredient that neutralizes the ants, it’s not harmful to pets because the amount of borax is so small. However, we do recommend keeping your pets away from the traps just in case.

2 Largest granule quantity
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QDEQ7E

Amdro Ant Killer

What We Like: These ant killer granules are effective against carpenter ants and other common types of outdoor ants. The granules have a large range of up to 1,080 linear feet once spread throughout your yard and around your house. It’s even possible to eliminate indoor ant problems by spreading these outdoor granules around the perimeter of your home. For the best results, you may need extra spreading equipment to evenly distribute these granules.

3 Best outdoor spray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YM5V2V5

Ortho Ant Killer

What We Like: Living in an area with many insects doesn’t have to be miserable. For effective insect control without consulting a professional exterminator, this 32-ounce spray is enough to treat up to 5,300 square feet of grass, 1,400 square feet of foundation/perimeter, or 2,700 square feet of foliage. We like the easy applicator bottle that connects directly to a standard garden hose.

4 Best natural solution
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M59KNK6

Mighty Mint Ant Killer

What We Like: Proven effective in the real world, this natural and safer approach to pest control is made possible by using extra-strength peppermint essential oils. Ants, as well as spiders and other insects, avoid the otherwise pleasant odor of peppermint oil and will stay clear of any areas that you spray this mixture onto. Other naturally-derived ingredients found in this ant repellent spray include glycerin, polyglyceryl oleate, and soap.

5 Best for protein ants
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EAP02G

Advance 375A Ant Killer

What We Like: This ant killer uses a specific combination of protein attractants, including abamectin, to entice a wide range of ant species to come toward the granules and carry them to the colony. Abamectin has been found to be non-toxic to humans, but it is dangerous to beneficial insects, such as bees. Overall, this is an ant killer bait worth considering that neutralizes most of the common ant types you’re likely to have in your yard.

Buying Guide

Understanding the options available to curb your ant problem will help you achieve the best results in the least amount of time. Here’s what to consider.

Ant type: Ants are generally classified as indoor or outdoor ants, which is self-explanatory. However, there are a few ant species to research that will help you find the most effective ant killer.

Fire ants: Fire ants are different from other ants, as their stinging ability poses a painful threat to humans and animals. They build sizable mound-shaped colonies outdoors, resembling a pile of dirt. There are ant killers that specifically target fire ants.

Carpenter ants: If you’ve heard of carpenter ants before, that’s because they’re one of the largest ant species in North America. They’re attracted to wood and can eat through walls, floors, ceilings, structural beams, and other areas of your home.

Pavement ants: Pavement ants commonly swarm in the cracks between pavement tiles — you’ve probably seen them on a sidewalk. Some pavement ants even have wings and are able to fly to another colony.

Odorous house ants: While all ants are naturally drawn toward food sources, odorous house ants specifically seek out sugar. They’re most active in the spring and summer months, are brown or black in appearance, and commonly nest in walls and underneath floorboards.

Application method: There are multiple ways to target and neutralize large quantities of ants using the best ant killer for your situation. Here are several of the options available to you.

Ant dust: This powder kills ants via contact or ingestion. It’s useful to help create a perimeter around your home or seal off any cracks or entry points.

Sprays: This direct form of ant killer gives the user control; simply point the bottle directly at the ants and spray a generous amount.

Granule bait: Ant killer granules don’t kill the ants on contact. Instead, they’re attracted to the granules as a food source. The ants carry the granules down into the colony, which release poison designed to kill the queen ant.

Bait stations: Bait stations are small, plastic containers that have a small opening where the ants enter. When inside, the ants grab a small piece of poisoned bait and bring it back to the colony. Exercise caution when using bait stations, and don’t place them in high-traffic areas around children or pets.

FAQs

Are regular ant killers unsafe for dogs and cats?

Hydramethylnon is used as the active ingredient in products like ant bait granule, an ant killer designed for outdoor use. Though it’s generally safe for mammals, oral ingestion by dogs can cause vomiting and gagging. There’s no scientific data specifically addressing hydramethylnon in cats, but cats are usually more susceptible to chemicals than dogs, so caution is recommended.

How can I get the most use out of a spray-based ant killer?

Ant sprays are a great tool to use in your battle against ants. Here are two primary ways to use them:

Using ant killer sprays to disrupt ant trails: For fast and effective results, disrupt the pheromone trail that ants leave behind. A spray can act as a contact killer to break up the trails and prevent them from returning. You can also use ant sprays as barriers that deter ants from crossing the spray path.

Using ant killer sprays to create barriers around your house: We recommend spraying all of your window sills as well as any cracks or devices around your house where you believe to have seen ant activity. The best ant killer products are designed to have a long residual effect, so periodic but relatively infrequent application of an ant killer spray in these areas should provide long-term protection.

Do ant killer products use the same active ingredients as professional pest exterminators?

Generally, yes. Pest control professionals rely on a variety of products to effectively eliminate an ant infestation based on the location and severity. Common active ingredients used include boric acid, pyrethrum, hydramethylnon, bifenthrin, permethrin, fipronil, cyfluthrin, and abamectin.

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.