Best Overall
Terro Liquid Ant Baits
- These are simple to use and come in a pack of 12.
These are simple to use and come in a pack of 12.
- It’s liquid, so it’s possible for the bait to spill out.
It’s liquid, so it’s possible for the bait to spill out.
When it comes to the best ant killers, Terro T300b Liquid Ant Baits are one of the most simple and effective options. All you need to do is place one of the traps where you’ve noticed numerous ants or spotted an ant trail. And since these come in a pack of 12, you can place the ant traps all around the house, including on windowsills, in corners, or under pantry cabinets. These also come with a snap-off tab, so no scissors are needed to open them.
After putting down these traps, you may initially see more ants, but that’s not a bad thing: The insects are showing up because they are attracted to the liquid inside. They’ll take the bait back to the colony and slowly kill the rest of them. Just keep in mind, it may take up to two weeks to fully get rid of the ants.
Since these ant traps are liquid, it’s possible for them to leak. The good news is you can clean it by placing a hot sponge or cloth over the spilled ant bait for about an hour and then wiping the area clean, according to the manufacturer.
Product Details: Bait Type: Liquid | Approved Use: Indoors | Active Ingredients: Borax | Safe for Pets: Not listed | Effective Time: Up to two weeks
Best Budget
Raid Ant Killer Baits
- These baits are easy to place around the house.
These baits are easy to place around the house.
- They contain peanuts or peanut by-products.
They contain peanuts or peanut by-products.
Those looking for a cost-effective product may want to try Raid Ant Killer Baits. These traps are simple to use—just separate the ant stations with one snap and place them where you’ve seen the insects. They come in packs of four or eight and are expected to kill ants for up to three months.
These bait traps do need to be replaced every three months, so you’ll want to keep track of when you first placed them around the house. They also contain peanuts or peanut by-products, which means they may not be the best option for homes with individuals with peanut allergies.
Product Details: Bait Type: Granules | Approved Use: Indoors | Active Ingredients: Avermectin B1 | Safe for Pets: No | Effective Time: Not listed
Best Splurge
Syngenta Advion Ant Gel
- There’s no odor, it doesn’t stain, and it targets all major ant species.
There’s no odor, it doesn’t stain, and it targets all major ant species.
- It requires an application process.
It requires an application process.
The Syngenta Advion Ant Gel Bait is an effective product that targets all major ant species, including pharaoh, harvester, and foraging red imported fire ants. You can apply the gel in cracks and crevices found in your home, as well as at outdoor entry points. A few more pluses: It’s odorless and doesn’t stain the areas where it’s applied.
On that note, this gel bait does require an application process, so it’s not as simple as leaving out a trap. And while it’s meant to be used directly on surfaces in your home, you can place the gel on a strip of wax paper or a paper plate for easier cleanup.
Product Details: Bait Type: Gel | Approved Use: Indoors, Outdoors | Active Ingredients: Indoxacarb | Safe for Pets: No | Effective Time: Three days
Best for Indoors
Terro Multi-Surface Liquid Ant Baits
- These baits can attach to a vertical surface.
These baits can attach to a vertical surface.
- It can be difficult to monitor when the bait depletes.
It can be difficult to monitor when the bait depletes.
Made to target household ants, the Terro Multi-Surface Liquid Ant Baits come with adhesive strips so you can attach them to your wall or under cabinets. This can help keep them out of sight or away from children and pets. They also have a two-color design (white and brown) so they blend in with most home decor.
One issue with these is their design makes it hard to monitor when the bait has depleted and replacement is needed. They also only come in packs of four, so you may need to order multiple packs if you need more bait stations around the house.
Product Details: Bait Type: Liquid | Approved Use: Indoors | Active Ingredients: Borax | Safe for Pets: No | Effective Time: Up to two weeks
Best for Outdoor
Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Killer Bait
- This bait works against 25 species of ants.
This bait works against 25 species of ants.
- It’s best applied at certain times and can’t be used near gardens.
It’s best applied at certain times and can’t be used near gardens.
Killing ants before they enter your home is a good idea, especially if you live in an area with a lot of ant activity. The Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait is meant to protect against 25 ant species, including Argentine, carpenter, acrobat, and Pharaoh ants, before they can enter your home.
It’s important to be strategic when applying this ant bait. It’s best to apply this in the early morning or late evening when ants are the most active. You should avoid applying when the weather is below 50 degrees and when the ground is wet or if it will rain within 24 hours. And if you have a garden or crops, make sure to avoid that area, too. The bait is made to work up to three months and each bottle contains enough for up to six treatments, depending on the size of your home.
Product Details: Bait Type: Granules | Approved Use: Outdoors | Active Ingredients: Hydramethylnon | Safe for Pets: Yes | Effective Time: Up to three months
Best for Fire Ants
Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer
- It’s easy to apply and works fast.
It’s easy to apply and works fast.
- It may not work in hot and dry conditions.
It may not work in hot and dry conditions.
Fire ants, which are usually only found outside, are intrusive and can sting. These are ants you really want to get rid of or at least keep at a minimum. The Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer is quick to apply: Just sprinkle it over an ant mound, and it works to kill the insects within an hour. There’s also no need to water the product into the ground, and one bottle works for 162 mounds.
Make sure to apply this when ants are active and not before it rains or during heavy dew. On that note, this fire ant killer may not work during hot and dry conditions because ants will likely be deep in the nest.
For best results, it’s advised to use the Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules, which is sold separately, after applying the initial fire ant killer. That is meant to stop new mounds for up to six months.
Product Details: Bait Type: Dust | Approved Use: Outdoor | Active Ingredients: Acephate | Safe for Pets: Not listed | Effective Time: Within an hour
Best for Carpenter Ants
Harris Carpenter Ant Killer and Termite Control Treatment
- It’s long-lasting and does not stain.
It’s long-lasting and does not stain.
- The application is messier than other ant killers.
The application is messier than other ant killers.
If you’re looking to protect your wood from carpenter ants, the Harris Carpenter Ant Killer and Termite Control Treatment could be the best option for you. It works indoors and outdoors and is expected to continue killing carpenter ants for up to a month after it’s applied. It also promises to be odorless and non-staining. Another plus is it targets termites, too.
One downside: The application process is a bit messier than other ant killers on this list. The bottle includes a trigger sprayer to apply the liquid, but you’ll want to use gloves during the application to keep your hands safe.
Product Details: Bait Type: N/A | Approved Use: Indoors, outdoors | Active Ingredients: Deltamethrin | Safe for Pets: No | Effective Time: Up to a month
Best Natural
Mighty Mint Ant Killer
- It’s plant-based and comes in a simple spray bottle.
It’s plant-based and comes in a simple spray bottle.
- The smell may be overpowering, and you may need to reapply quickly.
The smell may be overpowering, and you may need to reapply quickly.
If you’re looking to stay away from any chemicals, the Might Mint Ant Killer and Repellent Spray may be the right option for you. It’s made of plant-based ingredients and can be effective for smaller infestations of ants. It comes in a spray bottle, which also makes it easy to use.
The active ingredient in this product is peppermint oil, which is known to repel many insects. The downside is it can feel like an overpowering odor for some and can linger. It’s also important to note the product is listed as safe for pets, but the American Kennel Club says peppermint oil is toxic to dogs, so you’ll want to be cautious if you have a four-legged friend at home.
The spray is effective for up to seven days, so you may need to reapply often.
Product Details: Bait Type: N/A | Approved Use: Indoor, Outdoor | Active Ingredients: Peppermint Oil, Geraniol | Safe for Pets: No | Effective Time: Seven days
Best Fast-Acting
Combat Max Ant Killing Gel
- The gel can be used in hard-to-reach places.
The gel can be used in hard-to-reach places.
- It may dry out after being applied.
It may dry out after being applied.
This easy-to-squeeze gel is expected to work quickly to terminate an ant infestation, sometimes even in less time than the three to five days listed. The best part is it can be used in cracks and crevices around the house where ants may be making their way in. And it can be used outside as well.
But the Combat Max Ant Killing Gel Bait is not the best option for someone who isn’t able to get down on hands and knees to access cracks and entry points. It also may dry out quickly, particularly in very hot weather, so you might need to reapply.
Product Details: Bait Type: Gel | Approved Use: Indoors, outdoors | Active Ingredients: Fipronil | Safe for Pets: Not listed | Effective Time: Three to five days
Best Pet-Safe
Raid Essentials Ant, Spider, and Roach Killer 27
- It’s made with essential oils and other plant-based ingredients, and it has a locking cap.
It’s made with essential oils and other plant-based ingredients, and it has a locking cap.
- It doesn’t repel or prevent ants from coming into your home.
It doesn’t repel or prevent ants from coming into your home.
If you live in a household with pets, you’ll want to make sure you’re using an ant killer that isn’t toxic to animals. The Raid Essentials Ant and Roach Killer is the best ant killer to exterminate ants in your home without harming your furry friends.
This aerosol spray features essential oils and other plant-based ingredients that are gentle enough not to harm your pets, but strong enough to effectively eliminate household ants. The active ingredients are geraniol (which is commonly found in rose oil) and lemongrass oil, both of which are plant-based. It also includes other traditional insect-killing ingredients, such as isopropyl myristate, which known to kill bugs such as lice.
The formula is safe to use indoors, and it has a locking cap to help prevent accidental sprays. To use, spray directly on ants when you notice them in your home. Keep in mind that this doesn’t prevent ants from coming into your house, it just exterminates existing ones.
Product Details: Bait Type: N/A | Approved Use: Indoors | Active Ingredients: Geraniol, lemongrass oil | Safe for Pets: Yes | Effective Time: Works immediately when sprayed directly on ants