Ant problem? We interviewed 8 pest-control experts and found the 15 best ant killers
A reliable indoor ant killer: Terro Liquid Ant Baits, 12-Pack
For targeted application: Combat Max Ant Killing Gel
A pet-friendly natural ant killer: Harris Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade
A DIY ant deterrent: Heinz Distilled White Vinegar Finding the best ant killer isn't as simple as buying the first product you see in the home and garden aisle. Not only will the wrong solution prove ineffective but it could also put your children or pets at risk.
Sprays are a prime example. Though they might kill a few ants, they 'do not penetrate the colony' and can 'present certain health concerns,' said Allan Bossel, an operations expert at Bed Bug Exterminator (BBE). Instead, you need bait, which ants 'carry back to the colony, making [it] ideal for long-term results,' said Nick Ferrante Jr., an associate certified entomologist at Excel Pest Services.
To help you find the right product for your infestation, I spoke with several pest-control experts, compiling a list of the best ant killers, along with a few tips to keep ants from entering your home in the first place.
Terro Liquid Ant Killer, 12-Pack
Terro Liquid Ant Bait is Ferrante's go-to choice for general indoor use. 'It contains borax and works by allowing ants to ingest the poison and return it to the nest, wiping out the entire colony over time,' he said.
Combat Indoor and Outdoor Ant Killing Gel
Need something more targeted? You can apply gel baits like this fipronil-based solution 'directly into cracks and crevices' with the included syringe, Ferrante said. Like with Terro's ant killer, the ants will introduce the gel to the colony, eliminating your pest problem at the source.
Advion Ant Gel Bait
You can also try Advion's Gel Bait, which relies on the insecticide indoxacarb. "It attracts ants while killing the entire colony," Bossel said.
Amdro Fire Ant Bait
'Amdro Fire Ant Bait is highly effective when it comes to controlling fire ants because it targets and destroys their queen and the entire colony within two weeks," Bossel said. Note, however, that this poison is designed for application to mounds and lawns outdoors.
Basf Advance Carpenter Ant Bait
It's difficult to know if you have carpenter ants, according to entomologist R. Tracy Ellis of FarmSense, because they act a lot like termites, 'excavating tunnels for nests' in wood. That's why she suggests consulting professionals.
However, if you opt for the DIY route, Bossel recommends this bait from Basf. "[It] can go down into the voids where carpenter ants build their nests," he said. "Carpenter ants love rotted wood, so once you've deterred them from the area, replace the wood they're eating in addition to persistently spraying the products that kill them."
Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits
"These baits, when used consistently and as directed, can be really effective,' Bossel said, adding that these are his top choice for a weather-resistant, outdoor solution. That said, consider if you need to kill ants outside to control an infestation. 'At least for me, there is no need to try to 'eradicate' the ants out in the garden,' said Dong-Hwan Choe, a professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside. 'Managing ants is the better way to approach this.'
Ortho Home Defense Ant Bait
Enclosed bait stations like these have the advantage of being safer for children, pets and animals, Ferrante said, as the insecticide isn't out in the open.
Harris Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
'The safest nonchemical insecticide that's safe for pets is food-grade diatomaceous earth," Bossel said. "As long as it's not inhaled in significant quantities, diatomaceous earth does not harm humans and pets, but it does 100% kill ants by mechanically dehydrating them and destroying their exoskeletons."
EcoLogic Ant and Roach Killer
Made with corn mint, cinnamon and clove oil, this contact spray is a 'more natural option that's safer for families,' Ferrante said, though he added that it 'may take longer to see results.'Borax 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster
Ferrante calls a 3:1 mix of borax and sugar one of the most reliable homemade baits. 'The sugar lures the ants in, while the borax acts as a slow-acting poison that the ants carry back to the colony,' he said. 'Over time, this can help eliminate the nest at its source, though it does require patience and careful placement along active trails.'
JT Eaton Eaton's Answer Boric Acid Insecticidal Dust
According to Cody James Pace, an associate certified entomologist and market technical director at Terminix, boric acid, made from the same naturally occurring substance in your borax laundry booster, can also kill ants naturally. Shannon Harlow-Ellis, an associate certified entomologist and technical services manager at Mosquito Joe, recommends this boric acid-based powder for fire ant infestations in particular.
Heinz Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar doesn't kill ants, Ferrante said, but it can act as a scent disruptor. Mix a 1:1 solution with water and apply it as a natural deterrent that's child- and pet-friendly.
Arizona Chemical Group Fipronil Plus C Pest-Control Concentrate
Matt Smith, a co-owner of Green Pest Management, said that fipronil-based solutions like this one make effective ant killers that won't put pets at risk. The insecticide 'spreads like a bacteria; it will attach to the arm and leg follicles and spread from one ant to another,' he said. You'll have to dilute this bulk solution (it makes 21 gallons) and apply it using your own spray bottle.
Chapin 20000 1-Gallon Sprayer
If you go the bulk route and want to mix your own insecticide, you'll need a sprayer. This widely available model comes with a pump and an adjustable nozzle for easy application.
Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray, 2-Pack
Bossel said that contact sprays are 'best used as a last resort." But if you need results in seconds, you can try this spray from Raid, which he said 'provides quick knockdown results for visible ants on contact.' First, consider the type of ants you're dealing with. 'Since each species has unique nesting habits and food sources, correctly identifying the type of ant in your home is essential to choosing the most effective control strategy,' Ferrante said.
'For instance, odorous house ants, also known as sugar ants, are typically attracted to sweet bait products and will readily carry options like Terro back to their colony,' he added. 'In contrast, carpenter ants, which are larger and capable of causing structural damage, often require more intensive solutions, such as targeted gel baits or professional-grade treatments. Pavement ants and grease ants tend to respond better to protein- or grease-based baits, as their dietary preferences differ.'
Choosing the right product for your space is another consideration, as indoor and outdoor treatments have different formulas. If you're applying poison around pets and children, opt for enclosed bait stations, which Ferrante said 'significantly reduces the risk of accidental contact or ingestion while still allowing ants to access the bait and carry it back to the colony.'
Ferrante added that you can also ensure your product works by looking for 'borax, hydramethylnon and indoxacarb' in the ingredients, which are effective pesticides.
If all else fails, call a professional. 'There are currently more than 15,500 known species of ant, with an estimated 12,000-plus species not yet identified, so it's important to have a trained expert diagnose your individual case and come up with the best treatment option,' said Frank Meek, an entomologist at Orkin.
Prevention is the best way to keep ants at bay in the long term, according to Pace. He offered the following five steps:
Keep your space clean: 'Wipe up crumbs, spills and food residue immediately. Store food in airtight containers.'
Seal entry points: 'Caulk cracks and crevices around windows, doors and foundations to block ant access.'
Remove food: 'Don't leave pet food out for extended periods. Clean up fruit that falls from trees in your yard.'
Trim vegetation: 'Trim tree branches and shrubs away from your house, as ants can use them as bridges.'
Fix leaks: 'Ants are attracted to moisture, so repair any leaky pipes or damp areas.'
The following FAQs have been answered by insect and ant experts Dong-Hwan Choe, Nick Ferrante Jr. and Frank Meek.
How do I stay safe while using ant killers?
How do I stay safe while using ant killers?
Choe said it might be a good idea to wear safety gear — gloves and protective eyewear — while using ant killers. Usually this safety information is printed on the product, he added, but most people make the mistake of not reading or following these instructions.
Does vinegar kill ants?
Does vinegar kill ants?
The experts I spoke to were skeptical about the effectiveness of vinegar as an ant killer, but Ferrante Jr. said it can work as a deterrent. 'Ants rely heavily on scent trails to navigate and communicate with their colony,' he said, 'and vinegar helps erase these trails, temporarily deterring them from returning.'
Does baking soda kill ants?
Does baking soda kill ants?
Ferrante said that baking soda is sometimes an ingredient in DIY ant killers. 'The idea is that ants are attracted to the sugar and will ingest the baking soda, which may react with their digestive systems,' he added. But both he and Meek agreed that home remedies aren't that effective.
How can I kill ants naturally?
How can I kill ants naturally?
'The best natural solution when fighting ants is prevention,' Meek said. 'Seal up your home, practice cleanliness measures and ensure landscaping is properly maintained to reduce access and the likelihood ants can thrive near your home.'
For this article, we consulted the following insect and pest-control experts for their professional insights:
Allan Bossel, operations expert at Bed Bug Exterminator (BBE)
Dong-Hwan Choe, professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside
R. Tracy Ellis, award-winning entomologist at FarmSense
Nick Ferrante Jr., associate certified entomologist at Excel Pest Services
Shannon Harlow-Ellis, associate certified entomologist and technical services manager at Mosquito Joe
Frank Meek, entomologist at Orkin
Cody James Pace, associate certified entomologist and market technical director at Terminix
Matt Smith, co-owner of Green Pest Management
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, associate writer Maxwell Shukuya interviewed entomologists and pest-control experts, including industry professionals and academics.
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