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It’s summer, and that means spending every free moment in the sun. It means family get-togethers and backyard barbeques. There’s nothing better than getting your loved ones together on a warm weekend afternoon to bask in the sunshine and each other’s company, relax, and enjoy some delicious food. The quickest way to destroy the perfect afternoon? Ants. To protect your summer, you need the best ant killer for your home.
Product FAQ
1. What is the Best Ant Killer?
Ants can be especially hard to kill, which is why they usually require specialized poisons. The best ant killer usually depends on the type of ant infestation you have.
2. Are Ant Killers Pet-Safe?
Some ant killers are safe to have around pets and small children, while others can be harmful to all living creatures.
3. Are Any Ant Killers Natural?
Yes, there are plenty of natural options for ant killers.
How We Reviewed the Best Ant Killer Options
Depending on the type ant infestation you have, as well as the type of ant killer you are looking for, there are many great options on the market. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve gathered some of the most highly-regarded ant killers available and reviewed them based on their key characteristics.
Overall Price Range
You can expect to spend somewhere from around $5 to around $40 on the best ant killer.
What We Reviewed
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TERRO T300 Liquid Ant Baits
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Features
These liquid ant baits are a great option for ant infestations anywhere. They use plastic cases filled with a liquid that draws the ants in and traps them inside. The trap uses a 5.4% mixture of sodium tetraborate decahydrate, more commonly known as Borax. Because the liquid is contained within the plastic case, these ant baits are extremely versatile and can be easily placed anywhere there is a flat surface.
Whether you’re dealing with an ant infestation on your patio or a line of ants trailing through your kitchen cabinets, these baits are a great option. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the sticky residue left over from ant killer sprays or the risk of contaminating other items in the spray zone.
These baits kill the ants you see as well as the ones you don’t, and they come ready to use. Plus, these baits have a stay-fresh tab that allows you to keep the trap until you’re ready to open it, leaving it fresh and ready to use.
Price: $
Safer Brand 51702 Diatomaceous Earth
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Features
Diatomaceous earth is the best ant killer for eco-friendly homes. It’s safe for use around pets, so it’s a great choice if you’re worried that your furry friend might find the ant killer. Diatomaceous earth is also popular because it isn’t just the best ant killer, it’s the best killer of lots of other unwanted critters too! It effectively kills bedbugs, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, fleas, millipedes, roaches, silverfish, and more.
Diatomaceous earth is made out of crushed fossilized fresh-water algae, also called diatoms. If you’ve ever touched this powder, you know that it feels extremely soft to the touch. However, it actually has microscopic particles with razor-sharp edges. While these razor-sharp edges are far too small to do any damage to a larger creature, they effectively tear up small insects that crawl through the powder.
Also, because of the way this best ant killer works, you’ll never have to worry about insects growing immune. This chemical-free option is the best ant killer for homes that want to remain free of pesticides.
Price: $$
Combat 10023400973061 Max
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Features
This ant killer comes in a gel form, meaning that it leaves behind little to no mess. It’s extremely easy to use, and its packaging is child resistant to boot. Because the gel bait squirts out of a tube, it can be applied in literally any place.
Wherever your ant problem is, you can fix it with this CombatMax. This bait kills the ants and the entire colony by encouraging the ants to consume the bait. The high water content of the gel encourages faster feeding, so ants start dying within the hour.
It won’t stop there — this gel gives you fast control over your life: the ant colony should be gone in just 3 to 5 days! This gel ant killer comes ready-to-use in the syringe, perfect for fast, easy action.
Price: $
Advance Granular Carpenter Ant Bait (8 oz)
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Features
This ant killer is the best bait for carpenter ants wherever they are, indoors or out. This ant bait formulation is attractive to carpenter ants because it provides nutrients for their dietary needs while using the delayed-action insecticide Abamectin.
This type of ant bait works great in a broad application around the perimeter of your property, or in interior voids in structures where ants may forage. This type of insecticide encourages ants to take it back to their nest, which means that you can better eliminate the whole colony. It uses a GABA inhibitor that interferes with the normal functioning of the ant’s nervous system and begins to eliminate the colony within 24 hours.
Price: $$$
Hot Shot MaxAttrax Ant Bait
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Features
This is one of the best ant killer options because it is a small dome that draws the ants in, contains them, and kills them using insecticide. This bait starts killing ants within hours, giving you control by killing the ants you can see and attracting the ones you don’t.
Hot Shot is so effective at eliminating the ant colony because it kills the queen as well as the colony, and the dome keeps working for 6 months! Because the insecticide is contained within the dome trap, the Hot Shot is extremely versatile and can be placed in any area where you are having ant problems. This killer is also child resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your little one getting into the ant trap.
Price: $
Ortho MAX Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules
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Features
This is the best ant killer for fire ant colonies, because it prevents new fire ant mounds from forming for up to 6 months after application! It’s such an effective option for fire ant colonies because it works to kill both the queen ant and the rest of the mound. It treats up to 5,000 square feet, so you can get your whole yard in. Plus, it’s guaranteed to kill your fire ants, or your money back. It works best when paired with the Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer. Together, these two become a great fire ant killing system.
Price: $$$
Ortho 12-Ounce Orthene Fire Ant Killer
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Features
This fire ant killer destroys the mound and kills the queen without any added water. This mound treatment for home lawns and ornamental plants will eradicate fire ants from your lawn. It works best if applied when fire ant mounds are active, and you should continue to treat new mounds as they appear. This fire ant killer works best when paired with the Ortho Max Broadcast Granules. First, apply the Orthene Fire Ant Killer to knock any mounds down, and then spread the granules to ensure that your entire lawn stays free of fire ants and their mounds.
Price: $
Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules
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Features
This fire ant bait is extremely effective at getting rid of fire ant colonies in your backyard. It works to kill the queen and the rest of the colony by killing both visible and hidden fire ants. Within two weeks of application, fire ant mounds will have begun to disappear. To best kill fire ant mounds, sprinkle 2 to 5 tablespoons of fire ant bait around each mound. While these granules are developed specifically for fire ants, it also works to kill bigheaded ants and harvester ants.
Price: $$
Raid Ant & Roach Killer Outdoor Fresh
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Features
This is one of the best ant killer options because it comes from Raid, the most sought-out name in the insecticide world. This spray kills ants, roaches, and other unwanted critters on contact, and it can keep killing with residual action for up to a month after application. It has an outdoor-fresh scent, so it won’t leave you with a lingering chemical smell. It’s effective on ants, silverfish, cockroaches, crickets, spiders, waterbugs, and multicolored Asian lady beetles.
Price: $
Bayer 10069 Maxforce FC Killer Gel Ant Bait
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Features
This gel ant bait is one of the best ant killers because it’s easy to apply in any corner. It uses the active ingredient Fipronil and targets a large range of unwanted pests, including Argentine ants, ghost ants, little black ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, and honey ants. The bait remains effective for up to two weeks after application. Because it comes in an easy-to-use syringe, you can place the bait in any area, including any tiny cracks or crevices.
For best results, place many dabs of gel where you see the ants entering your house and foraging. The high moisture content of the gel ant bait makes it more attractive to the ants, and they feed more quickly. It takes advantage of ant trophallaxis, the process in which worker ants take food back to their colony. As they take the food back, more ants begin to feed on the gel, then die off.
Price: $$$
The Verdict
What Kind of Colony?When it comes to finding the best ant killer for your house, the first consideration should be the type of ant colony you need to kill. If you are dealing with carpenter ants, you can’t go wrong with the 8-oz Advance Granular Carpenter Ant Bait. If you are dealing with an infestation of fire ants, you should try the combination treatment of Ortho MAX Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules and Ortho 12-Ounce Orthene Fire Ant Killer. First, apply the Orthene, and then spread the Broadcast Granules as a second step. You can also try the Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules to rid your property of fire ants.
Eco-Friendly
If you want an environmentally-friendly option, try the Safer Brand 51702 Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous earth is one of the only eco-friendly and pet-safe insect killers available, and it works without introducing any chemicals into your home! It’s comprised of crushed diatoms, which have microscopically razor-sharp edges. As insects crawl through it, they ingest particles that tear them up from the inside out.
What Kind?
Another consideration when determining which the best ant killer for your home is the type of killer you’d like to use. Different forms of insecticides offer different benefits. If you want a self-contained trap, try the Hot Shot MaxAttrax Ant Bait or the TERRO T300 Liquid Ant Baits. If you want a gel that comes in a ready-to-use syringe, try the Bayer 10069 Maxforce FC Killer Gel Ant Bait or the Combat 10023400973061 Max.
Indoor or Out?
If you’re looking for outdoor granules–often used on patios and in yards–you might want to try Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules, the Ortho MAX Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules, the 8-oz Advance Granular Carpenter Ant Bait, Safer Brand 51702 Diatomaceous Earth, or the Ortho 12-Ounce Orthene Fire Ant Killer. Though these are different kinds of granules, they all work best spread over a wider area.
Price
Of course, there’s always the consideration of price. There are some extremely affordable options, but some of these choices cost a little more. If you’re looking for a cheap option, try the Raid Ant & Roach Killer Outdoor Fresh, the Ortho 12-Ounce Orthene Fire Ant Killer, the Hot Shot MaxAttrax Ant Bait, the Combat 10023400973061 Max, or the TERRO T300 Liquid Ant Baits.
For a more middle-of-the-road option, try the Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules or the Safer Brand 51702 Diatomaceous Earth. If money is no object or you really want to take the nuclear option, there’s the Bayer 10069 Maxforce FC Killer Gel Ant Bait, the Ortho MAX Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules, or the 8 oz Advance Granular Carpenter Ant Bait.
Stay Safe
Whichever you determine is the best ant killer for your home, remember to read the instructions and follow them closely. The last thing you need this summer is to get sick trying to defend yourself from an unexpected ant colony–it’s about as bad as ants ruining your summer vacation. Stay ahead of the game by preparing for the unwanted summer critters and purchasing the best ant killer.
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