The 10 Best Ant Killers (2024)

When you spot an ant in your home, the first thing that comes to mind is, "Uh, oh. Are there more of them?" In most situations, the answer is yes. Ants will forage for food wherever they decide is a good place to find crumbs, food scraps, or other organic debris. Since ants can rapidly spread through a home and make even the cleanest home feel unclean, you'll want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

With so many different kinds of ants and different types of infestations, it can seem like a daunting task to search for an ant product that perfectly meets your needs.

Top 10 Best Ant Killers

1. Most Popular Ant Killer: Taurus SC

2. Best Natural Ant Killer: Essentria IC Pro Insecticide

3. Best Liquid Ant Bait: Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait

4. Best Fire Ant Killer: Advion Fire Ant Bait

5. Best Lawn-Safe Ant Killer: Revenge Ant Killer Granules

6. Best Ant Dust: D-Fense Dust

7. Best Indoor Ant Bait Station: Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait Stations

8. Best Ant Spray: Spectre PS Aerosol

9. Best Ant Gel Bait: Advion Ant Bait Gel

10. Best Granular Ant Bait: InVict Xpress Granular Bait

Taurus SC

Most Popular Ant Killer: Taurus SC

Benefits

• Non-repellent, so insects don't realize they've come in contact with it

• Affected ants bring the insecticide back to their colony

• Eliminates many other insects and spiders

• Frequently used by ant control professionals

Drawbacks

• Has no knockdown agent, so it will not kill ants immediately

• Outside use only, with the exception of spot treatments in wall voids

• May take 2 to 3 months to fully eliminate ant colonies

Ant control in: 2-3 months

Lasts up to: 6 months

Active ingredients: 9.1% Fipronil

In addition to being extremely effective against termites, Taurus SC is an excellent ant killer. Taurus SC will not repel worker ants, instead letting them cross over the pesticide and bring it back to their colony.

Worker ants are not able to detect Taurus SC and will unknowingly walk over it, bringing the poison back to their nest. While this pesticide may not be quite as fast as some of the other ant killers available, it is one of the most thorough ant killers available.

Taurus SC applications result in the destruction of the entire ant colony. In a matter of weeks, ants will begin to die off, and after 2 to 3 months, the entire colony will be eliminated.

The great thing about this pesticide is that it doesn't only kill ants. It also kills wasps, centipedes, roaches, termites, and many other common pests. Taurus SC contains the same active ingredient used in many pet flea treatments, so it's an excellent option for homes with pets.

The Essentria IC Pro Insecticide

Best Natural Ant Killer: Essentria IC Pro Insecticide

Benefits

• Natural-based liquid insecticide

• Long residual control

• Works on other pests like spiders, mosquitoes, aphids, and spider mites

• Botanically-based insecticide using essential oils like clove oil, geraniol, and corn mint oil

• Low odor

• Can be used indoors

Drawbacks

• Cannot be applied directly to house plants

• May be less effective than other chemical-based insecticides

• Shorter effectiveness than some other insecticides

Ant control in: 4 to 7 days, but may take up to 21 days for complete control

Lasts up to: 2 to 3 weeks

Active ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 11.0%, Geraniol 10.0%, Clove Oil 3.0%, Cornmint Oil 1.5%

If you're looking for a natural ant killer, Essentria IC Pro provides excellent control and begins working in just days. This botanically-based ant killer contains a mixture of essential oils that kill ants. Because there are no harsh chemicals in this insecticide, it is classified as an EPA FIFRA 25 (b) exempt product.

Essentria IC Pro is an environmentally friendly product and can be applied outdoors around your home. Furthermore, it has a very low odor, so you won't be bothered by any potent scents. Its low phytotoxicity means that the risk of plants being adversely affected is minimal when applied.

This insecticide is versatile and includes application methods such as spot treatments, broadcast, fogging, perimeter (barrier) treatments, and automatic spraying systems.

Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait

Best Liquid Ant Bait: Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait

Benefits

• Effective for up to 3 months

• Controls a wide variety of ant species

• Can be used inside or outside

• Exclusive Domino Effect - killing queen and larvae

Drawbacks

• Some ant killers may last longer

• Does not affect other insect pests

Ant control in: 7 to 14 days

Lasts up to: 3 months

Active ingredients: Imidacloprid, 1-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridinyl) methyl]-N nitro-2-imidazolidinimine 0.03%

Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait with imidacloprid is one of the best ant baits available because of its low impact and long period of effectiveness.

Quantum Liquid Bait controls many ant species, including Pharaoh ants, black garden ants, Argentine ants, ghost ants, crazy ants, and odorous house ants.

This ant killer works by using its unique bait Matrix. Quantum's exclusive Domino Effect is a delayed action killer that has foraging ants bring the bait back to their colonies.

Once in the colonies, the poison is shared with the queen and larvae, effectively killing the entire nest. This bait's moisture-rich hydroscopic formula allows it to deliver results that last long after it's been applied. Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait is highly versatile, as it can be used both inside and outside.

Advion Fire Ant Bait

Best Fire Ant Killer: Advion Fire Ant Bait

Benefits

• One of the fastest fire ant baits on the market

• Can destroy the entire colony in just 2 to 3 days

• Also works on Pavement Ants and Bigheaded Ants

• Treats all of the ant's life stages

Drawbacks

• Does not work on all types of ants or other insects

• Loses effectiveness in rainy weather

• Soil temperature needs to be at 60 degrees Fahrenheit

Ant control in: 2 to 3 days

Lasts up to: 12 to 16 weeks

Active ingredients: Indoxacarb 0.045%

Fire ants are not only bothersome, they're dangerous. Advion Fire Ant Bait is one of the best fire ant killers available and can eliminate an entire colony in as little as 2 days.

If you are having problems with Pavement Ants or Bigheaded Ants, this bait is effective against those species as well.

When the ants are foraging for food in the morning and evenings, apply Advion Bait for Fire Ants on their mound or as a broadcast treatment in the general area.

When the soil temperature is above 60 degrees, or "picnic" weather, ants will pick up the bait more frequently, making it more effective.

If you expect it to rain within 4 hours, it's best to wait until after the rain has dried to apply this bait. It will not work as well if it gets wet after application.

Revenge Ant Killer Granules

Best Lawn-Safe Ant Killer: Revenge Ant Killer Granules

Benefits

• Also kills cockroaches, waterbugs, palmetto bugs, fleas, crickets, silverfish, and many other insects

• Begins killing insects within 24 hours

• Can be used as a perimeter treatment or directly on mounds

Drawbacks

• Cannot be allowed to run off the targeted area

• Must be watered immediately after application

• Cannot be applied within 24 hours of rain

Ant control in: 24 hours

Lasts up to: 2 months

Active ingredients: Lambda-cyhalothrin - 0.04%

This is one of the fastest-acting ant killers around, with a kill time of as little as 24 hours. Its versatile formula kills a wide array of insects and pests like fleas, cockroaches, palmetto bugs, waterbugs, crickets, silverfish, and many others.

Revenge Ant Killer Granules also excel in taking care of ant colonies in different formats. You can use these granules around the perimeter of your home to create a barrier that ants cannot cross without dying. You can also apply these granules directly to the ant mounds around your home.

Given how easy Revenge Ant Killer is to apply, combined with its lawn-safe formula, this insecticide is one of the easiest and most effective at getting rid of ants outside your home quickly.

D-Fense Dust

Best Ant Dust: D-Fense Dust

Benefits

• Waterproof

• Won't clump up

• Ready-to-use out of the box

• Knockdown and residual control

• Long-lasting effectiveness

• Kills many other insects and pests

• Non-staining and virtually odor-free

Drawbacks

• May not work as quickly as a kill-on-contact spray

• Can lose effectiveness if dust is disturbed.

Ant control in: 1 to 2 hours (after contact)

Lasts up to: 8 months

Active ingredients: 0.05% Deltamethrin

• This tried and true insecticide dust provides excellent control for fleas, silverfish, ticks, ants, cockroaches, bees, and many other insecticides.

• The great thing about D-Fense Dust is that it can be used in a broad variety of areas, including (but not limited to) kennels, apartments, breweries, cafeterias, food manufacturing, grocery stores, meat packing plants, nursing homes, daycare centers, and restaurants.

• D-Fense Dust is an easy and effective choice because it's a ready-to-use insecticide that provides a quick knockdown and long-lasting effectiveness. This dust won't clump together or absorb moisture like some others, and it's easy to apply into cracks and crevices with an electric or hand duster.

Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait Stations

Best Indoor Ant Bait Station: Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait Stations

Benefits

• Designed for indoor use

• Can withstand temperatures up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit

• Pre-baited, Easy to use, and mess-free

• Kills most types of common household ants

• Budget-friendly

Drawbacks

• Takes several days to kill all ants

• These Bait Stations cannot be refilled

• Cannot be applied in cracks and crevices where ants may be hiding

Ant control in: Several days

Lasts up to: 45 days

Active ingredients: 3.0% Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate (borax)

The Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait Stations offers an affordable, mess-free, ant killer designed to be used indoors. It is similar to Terro Liquid Ant Baits, as it uses borax as its active ingredient. Its unique design allows for a greater number of ants to feed at the same time, allowing more worker ants to feed without drowning.

Ants will not only feed on the bait but can cut off pieces of Intice Gelanimo to bring back for their colony. While this bait is similar to gelatin, it is rigid enough for ants to break off pieces of this high-moisture gel.

This gel bait is particularly useful in areas that often experience extreme heat. Its formula allows it to reach temperatures up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit without becoming gooey or sticky. This is a sugar/carbohydrate-based bait, and in many cases, it will work best by supplementing the ants' protein needs with baits like Maxforce Ant Bait Stations, Advance 375 A, or Maxforce Complete Granules.

Spectre PS Aerosol

Best Ant Spray: Spectre PS Aerosol

Benefits

• Non-repellent - ants will not avoid treated areas

• Ready to use immediately

• Useful for ants that hide in cracks in crevices

• Straw tip for easy application in hard-to-reach areas

• Dries clear

• Long-lasting residual activity

Drawbacks

• Slower acting than some ant treatments

• May stain some materials, need to test a small area before use

Ant control in: 7 days

Lasts up to: 90 days

Active ingredients: 0.5% Chlorfenapyr

Out of all the ant killers we've discussed so far, Spectre PS Aerosol is the best at treating hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Its aerosol can comes with a straw tip actuator that fits down in areas where insects, such as ants, may be breeding, living, or hiding.

Spectre uses Chlorfenapyr as its active ingredient, and it is a vital component of a multi-part treatment plan that includes ant baits, dusts, and liquid insecticides.

Advion Ant Bait Gel

Best Ant Gel Bait: Advion Ant Bait Gel

Benefits

• Can be used indoors and outdoors

• Can be placed in crevices

• Long-lasting shelf life

• Ready to go out of the box with the kit's bait plunger

• Effective against a broad spectrum of ant species, including the Red Imported Fire Ant

Drawbacks

• Cannot be applied to surfaces where residual insecticides have been sprayed

• May be less attractive to ants that favor protein

• Does not kill ants immediately

• Can dry up if applied to porous surfaces, such as concrete

Ant control in: 15 to 21 days

Lasts up to: 5 years in the right conditions

Active ingredients: Indoxacarb 0.05%

Advion Ant Bait Gel is highly attractive to all common species of ants, including Argentine Ants, Carpenter Ants, and even Red Imported Fire Ants. When ants are feeding on sugar or in search of moisture, Advion Ant Bait Gel is particularly attractive.

Depending on what the colony needs at a certain time, they will either feed on sugary foods or protein-based foods. We recommend using both types of baits simultaneously for maximum effectiveness. Advion Ant Bait Arena or Advance 375A are our recommended protein-based baits.

This bait's active ingredient, Indoxacarb, is a potent non repellent insecticide that features a slightly delayed activation time. The delay allows for more ants to consume it and, ultimately, be affected by the poison as they feed and groom. The first signs of the ants dying will begin within days and continue until the colony is eliminated in roughly 2 to 3 weeks.

What makes Advion Ant Bait Gel so attractive in dealing with ants is its extremely long shelf life of up to five years. These traps maintain their effectiveness long after you've placed them and may continue working for years.

InVict Xpress Granular Bait

Best Granular Ant Bait: InVict Xpress Granular Bait

Benefits

• Kills a broad spectrum of insects quickly

• Combination of active ingredients for a speedy kill and attractive bait

• Capable of controlling mega colony ants

• Irresistible to most insects

• Usable indoors, outdoors, and on turf

• No PPE is required (personal protective equipment)

Drawbacks

• Does not work with Carpenter, Pharaoh, Harvester, and Fire Ants

Ant control in: 1 hour +

Lasts up to: 1 year and can be reapplied after a week if the infestation is still present

Active ingredients: Imidacloprid 0.5%

Xpress Granular Bait is one of our fastest ant killers with a stunningly short kill-time. Ants will begin to die in the first hour and continue to die over the next week. With its unique bait matrix that features multiple attractants, it appeals to a wide array of ants and even other insects. Other insects it's effective against include crickets, cockroaches, mole crickets, firebrats, earwigs, and silverfish.

Insects (excluding ants) forage and consume Invict Xpress Granular Bait and begin to die shortly after. When consumed by ants, the worker ants will transport the bait back to the nest where larvae consume it. Once the worker ants consume the larvae's secretion, they will also quickly begin to die.

This ant killer's secret is its highly effective active ingredient, 0.5% imidacloprid. This quick-kill formula is ideal for large insect populations. It's also highly versatile - it can be applied inside, outside, and on turf.

Ready-To-Go Ant Killer Kits

DIY Pest Control sells ready-to-go ant killer kits that have everything you need to kill ant populations in a variety of settings and circumstances. Below are a few of our best-selling, recommended kits.

1. Complete Ant Bait Kit

2. DIY Carpenter Ant Treatment Kit

3. Mega Colony Ant Kit

Ant Killer Buying Guide

Find Ant Nests

Locating ant nests is crucial for effective ant control and can sometimes be quite challenging. Start by following the trails ants create. These insects typically follow established routes between their nest and food sources. Look for small piles of soil or sand that indicate the entrance to their underground nests.

Ant nests can often be found outdoors in well-protected spaces like under rocks, in the grass, or near the foundation of buildings. Indoors, check in-wall voids or beneath floors by looking for signs of sawdust or dirt that ants may displace while creating their nests. Remember to inspect any moist areas, as many ant species prefer damp conditions to establish their colonies.

Prioritize Baits Over Kill-On Contact Sprays

Prioritizing ant baits over kill-on-contact sprays is key for long-term ant control because baits work to eliminate the colony at the source. Kill-on-contact sprays may provide immediate satisfaction by killing visible ants, but they often fail to reach the hidden majority, including the queen, who continuously reproduces.

Baits, on the other hand, are carried back to the nest by worker ants, spreading the insecticide throughout the colony, thus ensuring a more comprehensive and lasting solution.

By disrupting the breeding cycle and avoiding the potential for a "budding" effect – where colonies split into multiple new ones when threatened – baits offer a strategic approach to ant management.

Spray Residual Insecticide

For a more robust ant control strategy, applying a residual insecticide is advised. This type of insecticide continues to kill ants over a period of time, unlike immediate kill products.

When applied to trails, nests, and entry points, it forms a protective barrier that not only kills any ant that crosses it but also helps to prevent new infestations.

This long-lasting effect is essential in keeping ant populations under control, especially in areas where baits are less effective or in situations where complete nest eradication is challenging.

In the majority of cases, calling a professional is not necessary.

When To Call A Professional Ant Exterminator

Sometimes, despite your best efforts with DIY methods, ant infestations can persist or become overwhelming. It's time to call a professional exterminator when:

• The infestation is extensive, and DIY baits and sprays fail to control the ant population.

• You experience recurring infestations, which could signal larger, more entrenched colonies.

• Identification of ant species is uncertain, and professional expertise is required to target specific ant behaviors and habitats.

• The presence of ants is in sensitive areas where it's not safe to use over-the-counter treatments, such as in and around hospitals, food service areas, or areas accessed by pets and children.

• Structural damage is visible, indicating the possible presence of carpenter ants or other wood-destroying insects that require professional intervention.

In the majority of instances, managing an ant infestation is a task well within the capabilities of a determined homeowner. With the proper tools and strategies, such as the recommended baits and residual insecticides listed above, you play an active role in effectively controlling and eliminating ant populations.

Resorting to professional extermination services is often unnecessary since a careful application of do-it-yourself treatments can result in the complete eradication of the ant problem. Only in more severe or persistent cases should professional intervention be considered.

Liquid ant spray

Types of Ant Killers

Kill-On-Contact Ant Products

Kill-On-Contact Ant Products are designed for immediate action, targeting ants as soon as they come into contact with the chemical. These products often take the form of aerosol sprays, powders, or liquids, and work by disrupting the nervous system of the ants upon application.

While they are effective at quickly reducing visible ant activity, they do not provide a long-term solution, as they do not impact the unseen majority of the colony residing in the nest.

Bait Stations and Bait Products

Bait stations and ant bait products are innovative solutions designed to attract ants with a potent bait. These baits contain insecticides that are slow-acting, allowing ants to carry the substance back to the colony.

As the poison is shared and spread throughout the colony, it systematically eliminates ants over time, including those not directly exposed to the bait. Bait stations are enclosures that house the bait, keeping it protected from the environment and inaccessible to non-target animals or children.

Understanding Active Ingredients in the Top Ant Killers

The effectiveness of various ant killers hinges on their active ingredients, which are chemicals formulated to target ants with precision. Here's how some of the key active ingredients work:

• Fipronil: Found in products like bait stations, Fipronil disrupts the insect's central nervous system. It is a slow-acting poison that allows the contaminated ant to return to the colony and spread the toxin, effectively eliminating the queen and the entire colony over time.

• Imidacloprid: This ingredient is commonly used in gel bait form. Imidacloprid acts on the ants' nervous system, causing paralysis and eventual death. By exploiting the ants' foraging behavior, the poisoned bait is taken back to the nest to be shared, effectively collapsing the colony from within.

• Indoxacarb: Another potent ingredient used in ant baits is Indoxacarb, which is deactivated in the bait. Once ingested by ants, it is converted into its active form by enzymes within the ant's body, ensuring that only the insect it targets is affected. This helps in wiping out the colony without harm to non-target creatures.

• Lambda-cyhalothrin: Often used in residual sprays, Lambda-cyhalothrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that excels as a barrier insecticide. It quickly knocks down ants that cross its path and provides a lingering effect to maintain ant control over longer periods.

• Deltamethrin: Belonging to the same family of pyrethroids as Lambda-cyhalothrin, Deltamethrin is a commonly used ingredient in dusts and sprays for immediate results. Its powerful action is effective against a broad range of insect pests, including ants.

• Borax (Sodium Borate): A natural substance, Borax is both a stomach toxin and a desiccant for ants. It is incorporated into bait products, such as Terro Liquid Ant Baits, where ants ingest it and then share it with the colony, causing dehydration and death. It is particularly valued for its low toxicity to humans and pets.

• Chlorfenapyr: Functioning as a professional insecticide, Chlorfenapyr is metabolized into an active form within the ant's body. It then compromises their cells' ability to produce energy, leading to a collapse of the colony. It’s valued for both its residual properties and its reduced risk to non-target organisms when used appropriately.

By strategically using these compounds, ant killers arm the homeowner with a variety of ways to combat ant infestations, whether they require immediate results, comprehensive colony control, or long-term prevention.

Common Types of Household Ants

Identifying the types of ants invading your home is a critical step toward effective control. Some of the most common household ants include:

• Carpenter Ants: Recognizable by their larger size and preference for wood, carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate it to build their nests, which can lead to structural damage.
• Odorous House Ants: Known for the foul odor they emit when crushed, these small brown or black ants are attracted to sweets and are often found in kitchen areas.
• Pavement Ants: As the name suggests, these ants make their colonies in or under cracks in pavement. They are small and typically dark brown to black in color.
• Fire Ants: With a painful sting, fire ants are reddish-brown and nest in soil, forming visible mounds, often in sunny areas of the lawn.
• Argentine Ants: These dark brown to black ants are known for their massive colonies and for displacing other ant species. They are attracted to moist areas and can contaminate food.

Understanding each species' unique behaviors and preferences can aid in selecting the most effective treatment methods.

DIY Ant Killers vs. Professional Pest Control Services

When dealing with an ant infestation, homeowners often turn to DIY ant killer solutions for several advantages. Firstly, DIY methods are generally more cost-effective, as they typically involve using affordable, yet highly effective products.

Secondly, these approaches offer immediate relief, as they can be implemented the moment an infestation is noticed, rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment with a professional.

Additionally, DIY strategies provide homeowners the flexibility to apply treatments at their convenience and as frequently as desired.

Lastly, individuals concerned about the environmental impact or the use of chemicals in their homes may prefer ant killers that use natural or less toxic substances, aligning them with eco-friendly practices and personal health preferences.

Placing baits near their trails is highly effective.

Best Places To Put Ant Traps or Baits

Positioning ant traps effectively is crucial for maximizing their impact on ant populations. The best places to put ant traps include:

• Near Ant Trails: Observe the patterns of movement and place traps directly in the path of marching ants. This increases the likelihood of ants picking up the bait.

• Close to Entry Points: Install traps close to doors, windows, or any cracks and crevices where ants are entering the home.

• In Moist Areas: Since ants often seek out moisture, placing traps under sinks, near plumbing fixtures, or in damp basements can be particularly effective.

• In Kitchen Cabinets: Safeguard your food by placing traps in corners of cabinets or pantry shelves where you’ve noticed ant activity.

• Along Walls: Ants tend to walk along walls, so setting up traps along baseboards or in corners can help intercept these pests.

• Near Nest Sites: If you can locate the nests, placing traps nearby will help you target the colony directly.

By strategically placing the traps in these high-traffic and entry areas, you can enhance the effectiveness of ant control efforts in your home.

The Bottom Line On Ant Killers

Ant killers, specifically products designed for professional pest control, provide an essential line of defense against invasive ant species. These ant killers encompass a range of treatments designed to address infestations at any scale, from a handful of foragers to a full-blown colony. However, effective ant control is not just about elimination; it's also about prevention.

Regular inspections, sealing entry points, eliminating food sources, and maintaining a clean home environment are all key practices that complement the use of ant killers.

By integrating proactive measures with the strategic use of ant control products, homeowners can maintain ant-free living spaces and protect their property from these stubborn insects.

Why Trust DIY Pest Control?

When it comes to safeguarding your home from insects, DIY Pest Control stands out as a trusted provider of professional-quality ant killers and other insecticides. With years of industry expertise, we provide products that are both cost-effective and practical, made accessible to homeowners who are ready to take on pest management themselves.

Since 1982, DIY Pest Control has made a commitment to customer education, and our website offers in-depth resources that empower you to use our products properly and effectively. We are dedicated to upholding these high standards, ensuring our customers receive only the best solutions for their pest control needs.

Our reputation for reliability and results is built on the positive outcomes and reviews from countless individuals who have successfully reclaimed their homes from unwanted pests.

Trust in DIY Pest Control comes from our unwavering commitment to quality, affordability, and excellent customer service - ensuring that when you choose to tackle pest issues yourself, you're equipped with the best tools for the job.

Ant Killer FAQ

How Do You Use Ant Killer?

To effectively use ant killer baits, place the baits near ant trails and entry points so that ants can easily find and carry the substance back to their colony, ensuring the poison reaches the queen.

For kill-on-contact sprays, directly apply the product onto visible ants and their trails to eliminate them on the spot. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application and safety guidelines.

How Do I Get Rid of Worker Ants In My Kitchen?

To get rid of ants in the kitchen, start with a thorough cleaning to eliminate potential food sources. Wipe down surfaces, seal food in airtight containers, and dispose of garbage regularly.

Place ant baits strategically around the kitchen, focusing on areas where ant activity is highest. Seal any entry points like cracks and crevices.

For persistent problems, consider using a non-repellent ant spray that ants can carry back to their nests.

How Did Ants Get In My Home?

Ants can enter homes through the smallest of openings, seeking food, water, and shelter. They are often drawn indoors by the scent of food remnants or sugary spills.

Common entry points include gaps in windows, doors, and foundations, as well as through utility lines and even underneath siding. Once one ant discovers a resource, it leaves a pheromone trail for others to follow, leading to an infestation.