All ant killers have the same function: to get rid of ants in your home and make it infestation-free. Depending on where you live, if you have pets or children, and where the infestation is, a certain killer may work best for you. For example, the methods to get rid of carpenter ants may vary from other ant removal methods.
To help you find the best ant killer for your specific situation, we took a close look at some of today’s best sellers. Typically, you can expect to spend anywhere from $5 to $40 or more on an ant killer, depending on its type, quantity, and application.
Overall, we recommend the Terro Liquid Ant Baits for their easy application and ability to target ants outdoors. However, the specific ant killer for your needs will depend on your specific situation. Read our guide below for more of our top picks.
Top 8 Ant Killers
- Terro Liquid Ant Baits: Best Overall
- Raid Multi Insect Killer: Best General Insect Killer
- Terro Ant Dust: Best Ant Dust
- Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil: Best Non-Toxic Ant Killer
- Ortho BugClear Insect Killer: Best Lawn-Safe Ant Killer
- Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer: Best Fire Ant Bait
- Sunday Ant Adios Insect & Ant Killer: Best Ant Killer for Organic Gardens
- Syngenta Advion Ant Gel: Best Gel Bait
Compare Top Ant Killers
| Product | Bait Type | Quantity | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|
Terro Liquid Ant BaitsCheck Price | Liquid bait | 6 bait stations | Outdoor use |
Raid Multi Insect KillerCheck Price | Spray bait | 15-ounce container | Indoor and outdoor use |
Terro Ant DustCheck Price | Dust bait | 1-pound container | Indoor and outdoor use |
Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint OilCheck Price | Spray bait | 1-gallon container | Indoor and outdoor use |
Ortho BugClear Insect KillerCheck Price | Spray bait | 32-ounce container | Outdoor use |
Ortho Orthene Fire Ant KillerCheck Price | Granule bait | 3-pound bag | Outdoor use |
Sunday Ant Adios Insect & Ant KillerCheck Price | Granule bait | 2-pound bag | Outdoor use |
Syngenta Advion Ant GelCheck Price | Gel bait | 30-gram tube | Indoor and outdoor use |
Best Overall
Terro Liquid Ant Baits
We like that this liquid ant killer 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.
Pros and Cons of Terro Liquid Ant Baits
- Comes in pre-filled bait stations that require minimal setup
- Can be used with or without provided stakes
- Doesn’t dry out in the elements
- Reservoir is on the smaller side, meaning each station may run out quickly
- Some customers found the bait stations difficult to open
What People Are Saying About The Terro Liquid Ant Baits
In our research, we found that 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, we also noticed that those who were unhappy with this ant killer said that the stations leaked on occasion, and others said that the concoction didn’t always kill ants.
Best General Insect Killer
Raid Multi Insect Killer
If you want a product that targets more than ants, our team thinks Raid ant killer may be the product 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.
Pros and Cons of Raid Multi Insect Killer
- Kills bugs on contact
- Works on a wide variety of insects
- Has an orange breeze scent
- Not safe to use around pets
- Can take a while to become effective
What People Are Saying About The Raid Multi Insect Killer
Satisfied customers liked that this ant spray didn’t have an overbearing odor, was effective at killing multiple types of insects, and worked quickly. However, we did see some customers claim that they had to spray a lot of the product to kill pests. Even then, it sometimes struggled to kill large bugs.
Best Ant Dust
Terro Ant Dust
This dust is sprinkled into door and window cracks and other crevices around your home and works for both outdoor and indoor use. We were impressed that this ant dust can eliminate an infestation of any size as well as any insect, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, and wasps.
Pros and Cons of Terro Ant Dust
- Works on multiple types of ants, including fire ants, worker ants, and carpenter ants
- Has a waterproof formula that won’t wash away in the rain
- Can kill pests for up to eight months
- Can cause significant cleanup
- Has a highly toxic formula
What People Are Saying About The Terro Ant Dust
Our research showed that customers who liked this product said that it was simple to use, kept bugs away for a long time, and showed results quickly. However, we also found that 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 Ant Killer
Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
To kill ants without exposing your pets or children to harmful chemicals, we recommend this product. Its active ingredients include peppermint oil and other plant-based ingredients. It also doubles as an air freshener, leaving your home smelling fresh after application.
Pros and Cons of Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
- Has a pleasant smell
- Safe for household use in small quantities
- Spray hose can be challenging to use
- Is harmful to pets in certain amounts, and some plant life
- Some customers felt the bottle was awkward to operate
What People Are Saying About The Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
Happy customers that we found said that this killer worked instantly, didn’t have an overpowering scent, and also removed spiders. However, we also noted that 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 Lawn-Safe Ant Killer
Ortho BugClear Insect Killer
Ants can be just as big of an annoyance outside as they are inside. We like that this outdoor ant 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.
Pros and Cons of Ortho BugClear Insect Killer
- Prevents return of ants for up to six months
- Can provide coverage for over 5,000 square feet of lawn
- Kills 235 different bug types
- Can be harmful to use around animals
- Some customers said it was prone to leaks
What People Are Saying About The Ortho BugClear Insect Killer
We found that customers who liked this insect killer said that it offered easy application, was odorless, and worked on a wide variety of pests. However, we found that those who were less pleased said that the spray didn’t cover as much ground as advertised and that the sprayer was poorly designed.
Best Fire Ant Bait
Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer
Fire ants can be particularly damaging to your lawn and need to be taken care of as quickly as possible. This three-pound bag does just that, killing the queen and the whole ant colony of fire ants with a fast-acting poison formula that works well below ground. We also found that this ant killer is effective at preventing future ants from invading your lawn.
Pros and Cons of Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer
- Kills mounds in as little as 15 minutes
- Helps prevent new mounds from forming
- Comes in a large bag
- Not safe to use around pets
- Some customers said it had an intense smell
What People Are Saying About The Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer
Customers who we saw that were happy with this product liked that it took effect quickly, was also helpful at killing roaches, and had easy-to-follow instructions. However, our research also found that others found that it had an overwhelming smell, and some said that it didn’t last as long as they were expecting.
Best Ant Killer for Organic Gardens
Sunday Ant Adios Insect & Ant Killer
This ant killer will help keep your organic garden in great shape while eliminating not only ants but a large variety of other harmful insects. We found that this product works when applied directly on ant hills, ant trails, or on the soil around the perimeter of your home. It comes in a large 32-ounce bag and has an easy-to-pour granule formula.
Pros and Cons of Sunday Ant Adios Insect & Ant Killer
- Uses organic ingredients
- Kills a wide variety of harmful bugs
- Comes in a convenient open-and-shake bag
- May wash away in inclement weather
- Can damage drains
What People Are Saying About The Sunday Ant Adios Insect & Ant Killer
Customers who liked this product liked how easy it was to use, that it killed a variety of different ant types, and that it set quickly. However, we read some other reviews that found it to be ineffective on fire ants, while others said it didn’t last as long as they were hoping, leading to the ants returning.
Best Gel Bait
Syngenta Advion Ant Gel
This gel bait’s primary ingredient is indoxacarb, which does not kill instantly, allowing them to pass it along to the rest of the colony. It has a translucent, no-odor design that’s especially attractive to all species of ants, particularly sweet-feeding types such as Carpenter, Argentine, and ghost ants.
Pros and Cons of Syngenta Advion Ant Gel
- Works on most species of ant
- Features a highly attractive homogenous formula
- Works to eliminate the entire colony
- Ants may be able to develop resistance to this bait
- Does not kill ants on contact
What People Are Saying About The Syngenta Advion Ant Gel
Our team found that customers who were pleased with this product liked that it was easy to apply and was highly effective at getting rid of large ant infestations. Others liked that it helped control the population so they did not return. However, there were some reviewers who felt this bait took a long time to get rid of ants, and others said it became less effective over time.
Ant Killer Buying Guide
To help ensure you’re finding the right ant killer for your home, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind before making a purchase. Take time to think about the type of ant killer you want to focus on, and the main type of ant, or other insect you’re having an issue with. From there, consider the toxicity of the ant killer and how it could affect other animals or humans in your home, as well as the specific application of the product.
Read our buying guide below for more information on the most important factors to consider when buying a product for ant control.
Types of Ant Killers
Ant killers can be divided into two categories—bait and kill-on-contact.
- Baits: These products 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.
- Kill-on-contact: This type of ant killer eliminates ants right away. While kill-on-contact works quickly, it can’t tackle widespread infestations.
Depending on the size and severity of your infestation, you’ll want to choose your ant killer wisely. Larger infestations will likely call for bait, while just a few ants can often be treated by kill-on-contact methods.
Type of Insect
Most ant killers target several household ant species as well as other common pests. It’s not uncommon for a single product to kill:
- Carpenter ants
- Cockroaches
- Fire ants
- Flies
- Fleas
- Gnats
- Mosquitoes
- Pavement ants
- Spiders
- Ticks
- Wasps
- 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 ant 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 various forms of bait and topical pesticides. The most common types are:
- Dust-based insecticide
- Ant gel bait
- Granular bait
- Liquid bait
- Spray-based insecticide
Types of Ants
To understand how to make your home ant-free, you must first understand what types of indoor ants you’re dealing with. The four species of ants you will likely see around your home are:
- House Ants: These ants are typically active in the summer and drawn by sugary foods.
- Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ants are a type of worker ant that’s active near wood, making them dangerous to your home’s structure. They excavate wood in order to build their nests, which, over time, could damage the structure of your home.
- Fire Ants: 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.
- Pavement Ants: Pavement ants are most active near concrete. They will eat almost anything and can contaminate foods.
If you can identify the type of ant that’s causing your infestation, make sure that the ant killer you choose targets this species.
Ant Trap Placement Tips
Once you’ve found the best trap to eliminate ant activity in your home, the next question you may be asking is where you should place it in your home.
The smartest areas to keep traps are:
- Basements
- Behind appliances
- Closets
- Corners of rooms
- Doorways
- Home entry points
- Near food and water sources
- Near trash cans
- Underneath cabinets and furniture
- Windowsills
Ant Killer FAQs
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. Here are some tips:
- Clean counters and floors to eliminate particles that could be a food source.
- 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 spray bottles, 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 the 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 using the right ant killer frequently. However, if your ant problem isn’t going away, it may be best to let an ant exterminator handle it.
Who This Ant Killer Guide Is For
If you’re a first-time homeowner, a seasoned homeowner, or somewhere in between, the right insecticide can be key to returning a bug-infested corner to a space to be lived in and enjoyed. Our team considered a variety of ant killers, from edible baits to topical solutions.
Our Methodology
To provide our readers with the best ant killer recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of ant baits and pesticides with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews from trusted publications and drew insights from subject matter experts.
Final Product Selection: We then pared the list down further by comparing each product’s benefits as well as drawbacks and then selecting the best options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our small team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.