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Pests tend to cause much havoc in your home and irritate the people who live in them. With ants being the most persistent, here’s our list of the best outdoor ant killers to keep them at bay. Ants multiply quickly and can be a major irritant if left unchecked. In the long run, they may take over your house and lawn. They can bite you and your loved ones and also damage your garden. Thus, they need to be taken care of before their colonies expand.
Ant killers are usually in the form of gels, baits, and granules. They might take a long time but are guaranteed to wipe out a whole colony of ants. Ant killer sprays are also effective but for a short time. They can kill ants instantly on contact but do not have long-term results. With various high-quality options, choosing the right ant killer may be challenging. So, check out our list of best-selling products to make an informed decision.
Top Picks
11 Best Outdoor Ant Killers
1. Best Stain-Free: Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant & Crawling Insect Killer
Image: Saferbrand The powder-based product exterminates ants and other creepy crawlies without affecting humans or the environment. This product is made of diatomaceous earth and kills insects by ingestion and by touch. All you need to do is sprinkle the ant killer powder on infested areas, covering all cracks and crevices, and it starts working within minutes and completes the job within 48 hours. It’s not just useful for getting rid of ants but also for bedbugs, fleas, crickets, earwigs, silverfish, roaches, centipedes, and millipedes. It’s made of crushed, fossilized freshwater algae, also known as diatoms, and this ant killer powder quickly absorbs the insect’s moisture and dries it out from the inside when ingested. It’s effective as long as it remains dry, and insects cannot grow immune to it. It comes in a four lb bag containing 100% diatomaceous earth and is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. Check out this video for a detailed review of the product.
Item Weight: 4.2 pounds | Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 10.8 x 4.2 inches.
Pros
- Stain-free product
- Dry and porous formula
- Works effectively indoors and outdoors
- Easy to use
- OMRI listed and safe to use in organic gardening
Cons
- Some may find it difficult to clean post use
- Resealable bag may not work as intended
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 17,496 fine reviews on Amazon.
2. Best Multipurpose: Terro Ant Killer
Image: Terro If you’re looking for an ant killer that also helps eliminate other pests from your house, say yes to the Terro Ant Killer. This multipurpose solution can kill cockroaches, fleas, and other insects in addition to ants. It comes in the form of fast-acting granules that kill insects within a day. Further, the bag comes in a shaker format, which means you can easily spread the granular bait without having to use your hands. Take a look at this review cum testing video to learn more about the reliable insect repellent.
Item Weight: 3.1 pounds | Product Dimensions: 9 x 5 x 12 inches.
Pros
- Resealable bag for easy storage
- Provides residual repellency
- Does not require the chemical applicator
- Effective on fire ants
- Prevents rebuilding of anthills
Cons
- May not work on carpenter ants
3. Best For Outdoors: Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait
Image: Amdro These granules are specially formulated to look like ant food so that ants carry them back to the colony. Once it’s eaten by the queen and other ants, the whole colony of ants in the mound perishes. These tried-and-tested granules are effective on 25 species of ants, including fire ants and carpenter ants. One 24 oz bottle of this powerful outdoor ant killer contains 0.88% of hydramethylnon and covers up to 1080 linear feet. This product is an effective outdoor ant killer because it works even when you can’t find the ant nest. This bait has a delayed reaction before it begins to take effect so that all the ants in the colony are killed, making it more potent than contact killers. Watch this YouTuber’s honest review to get a better idea about the product and its features.
Item Weight: 1.5 pounds | Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 6 x 9 inches.
Pros
- Safe to use on lawns
- Stays effective for three months
- Easy to apply
- Resealable bottle for easy storage
Cons
- Some may find the bait attracting raccoons
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 14,186 buyers on Amazon have said the product lives up to the hype.
Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant & Crawling Insect Killer Best Stain-Free | Terro Ant Killer Best Multipurpose | Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait Best For Outdoors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 17,496 | 1,160 | 14,186 |
| Price | $15.98 | $7.99 | $11.42 |
4. Best For Hard-To-Reach Places: Combat Max Ant Killing Gel
Image: Combat This outdoor ant killer helps you get rid of ants in three to five days. It contains fipronil, which is one of the most powerful outdoor ant killers that attracts foraging ants quickly and starts exterminating them within hours. Its high water content encourages faster feeding, and worker ants, on returning to the colony, share the bait, thus eliminating the entire ant colony, including the queen. This high-performance ant bait gel comes with a syringe applicator, so it’s convenient to apply it in crevices, cracks, and other hard-to-reach places. It’s effective against a wide range of ants like carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, white-footed, and little black ants.
Item Weight: 27 Grams | Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 4.6 x 7.1 inches
Pros
- Child- and pet-safe formula
- Mess-free application
- Suitable for outdoor and indoor ant control
- Odorless formula
Cons
- Might take time to attract ants
- May not be a long-term solution
TriviaWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 9,942 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people love this product.
5. Best For Sugar-Feeding Ants: Hot Shot Maxattrax Ant Bait
Image: Hot Shot The effective ant killer bait gets rid of not only ants that you see but also the invisible ants. It kills the queen, and, as a result, the whole colony gets exterminated. The ant colony control bait can be used around the perimeter of your house–its effect lasts for three months. It can also be used indoors in closets and cabinets, under sinks and refrigerators, where its effect lasts for up to six months. This widely tried and trusted ant killer pack contains eight child-resistant bait stations and is safe to use. All you need to do is place one bait station along each ant trail, and heavily infested areas may require two or more bait stations for effective control. For continued control, replace baits every three months outdoors and every six months for indoor use or sooner if the bait stations are empty.
Item Weight: 0.15 Pounds.
Pros
- Starts killing in a few hours
- Provides relief from tough ant problems
- Kills sugar- and grease-feeding ants
- Mess-free formula
Cons
- May not be safe for pets
- May not be effective on all types of ants
6. Best Child-Resistant: Raid Ant Baits
Image: Raid This bait is very effective in killing ants wherever they hide and works its magic for up to three months. After ants feed on the bait, they carry it to the queen and other ants upon returning to the colony, thereby killing the entire colony. For the bait to be the most beneficial, place all the baits at the same time. Loved by multiple reviewers, the bait contains avermectin and can be placed around the perimeter of the house and indoors in corners, along walls, and near entry points. This ant exterminator controls and prevents ants and other bugs from entering your home.
Item Weight: 0.01 Ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 5.62 x 5.01 inches |
Pros
- Starts working in few hours
- Long-lasting bait
- Easy to use
- Mess-free formula
- Child-resistant
- Odorless
Cons
- May not be safe for pets
- Some ants may become immune to the formula overtime
7. Best Fast-Acting: BioAdvanced Fire Ant Killer
Image: Bioadvanced The ant eradication solution, which contains 0.5% β-cyfluthrin, provides instant results. All you need to do is use the shaker-top applicator to shake the powder over the mound and sprinkle some water on it, and the fire ants will spread the product throughout the mound. The entire colony, along with the queen, is destroyed within three days. This time-tested fire ant killer is very convenient to use and only has a mild odor. It comes in a 16-ounce container and can treat up to 130 mounds.
Item Weight: 8.75 pounds | Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 8.88 x 12.45 inches.
Pros
- Effective on different types of insects
- Easy to apply with pump-style sprayer
- Creates a protective ant barrier around the home
- Long-lasting effect
Cons
- May leak
Did you know?8. Best Plant-Based: EcoVenger Ant & Crawling Insects Killer
Image: Ecovenge EcoVenger is a plant-based aerosol spray killer with a pleasant citrus smell and is an insect neuron blocker. This liquid ant killer is very efficient against odorous house ants, which are commonly found around sugary food, and kills 100% of them within a minute. It also works against fire ants and kills 100% of them in six minutes. This specialized product also disrupts the pheromone trail left by ants for other ants to follow and prevents them from regrouping and entering the treated area for up to four weeks. EcoVenger ant killer can be used both indoors and outdoors for ants as well as other insects, like mites and woodlice. This liquid ant killer is toxin-free, dermatologically safe, and rated #1 by the Entomological Society of America.
Product Dimensions: 10 x 2 x 4 inches | Weight: 1.2 Pounds
Pros
- Child- and pet-safe formula
- Made with plant-based ingredients
- Easy-to-spray bottle
- Effective on different types of insects
- No pesticides
Cons
- Some may find the scent overpowering
- Some may find it slightly oily and messy
9. Best Safe-To-Use: Harris Ant Killer Spray
Image: Harris The eco-friendly ant killer aerosol spray contains natural plant oils like clove and cottonseed as active ingredients and is safe to use around children and pets. This ant deterrent exterminates foraging ants in 30 minutes or less. The essential oils in it produce a light, pleasant scent, and there is no added artificial fragrance. This time-tested liquid bait is available in a 20 oz bottle and works effectively on red fire ants, pharaoh ants, argentine ants, and other household ants.
Pros
- Non-staining formula
- Easy-to-maneuver spray nozzle
- Kills ants on contact
- Mess-free product
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Might require frequent application
- Some may find it time-consuming
10. Best Fast-Dissolving: Spectracide Ant Shield Insect Killer Granules
Use this fast-acting ant killer for ant infestation prevention on your lawn. The granules kill all ants, except pharaoh and harvester ants, on contact. This versatile ant killer can kill more than 65 types of insects, including roaches, silverfish, water bugs, sowbugs, and crickets. Just sprinkle the granules over and around each anthill and around the perimeter of your house in a three to five-foot band. Water it immediately so that the granules dissolve completely for more potency. Aim for even coverage when shaking out the granules and reapply after it rains. It should be applied up to six times per year for the best results.
Item Weight: 3.19 pounds | Product Dimensions: 4 x 8.75 x 12 inches |
Pros
- Creates a protective barrier
- Resealable bag for easy storage
- Convenient three-pound shaker bag
- Easy to use
Cons
- Might need frequent reapplication
11. Best Acephate-Based: Martin’s Surrender Fire Ant Killer Insecticide
The specialized ant killer can be applied directly to fire ant mounds–it helps exterminate the whole colony, including the queen ant. Just mix the insecticide with water and drench the fire ant mound. This one-pound tin of insecticide can treat up to 108 mounds and should be used once per season. It also comes in handy in controlling the spread of harvester ants. The active ingredient in this versatile ant management solution is 75% acephate, which plants ingest through the roots and kill feeding insects.
Item Weight: 1 Pounds | Product Dimensions: 4.05 x 4 x 6.95 inches |
Pros
- Water-soluble insecticide
- Provides lasting results
- Quick-acting effective ant killer formula
- Easy to use and apply
- Only single application required per season
- Effective on different types of insects
Cons
- Some may find the odor unpleasant
- May not be safe for pets
How To Choose The Right Outdoor Ant Killer?
Here are a few pointers you need to consider when buying an ant killer.
- Type of ants: Different ants are attracted to different things— like sugar, protein, or grease. Fire ants, carpenter ants, and thief ants are attracted to a protein-rich meal, while sugar ants are more drawn to sugary food. The packaging of the ant infestation control product should indicate the type of ant the product is designed to kill. There are also some broad-spectrum ant killers available in the market that work for many types of ants.
- Indoor vs. outdoor: Some ant killers can be used both indoors and outdoors. Do check the label, as some stronger ant killers may be too strong for indoor use while some household products may not serve the purpose outside.
- Safety: If you have young children or pets at home, it’s best to go for ant traps because they’re more contained with the poison inside a plastic container, and are safer than sprays, gels, and granule baits. Ensure to checkout the key ingredients of the ant killer to prevent allergic reactions and make an informed choice.
- Weatherproof: An outdoor ant killer needs to be weatherproof, otherwise it may get washed away when it rains. Similarly, you may want to avoid ant control powders as those may get blown away by strong winds.
- Requirement: Avoid purchasing granule bait as an ant killer if the ants are coming through the crevices in the walls. Also remember that it’s best to use ant baits for bigger ant infestations as they have long term results. Ant repellent sprays are suitable as short-term solutions–for instance, if you see a few random ants in your kitchen, a good ant spray is the ideal solution. It’s only if you start seeing ants on a regular basis even after spraying, that you should go for an ant bait.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I permanently get rid of ants outside?
No matter how clean and well-maintained your garden, yard, and porch may be, nature always finds different ways of encroachment. Thus, outdoor ant killers can come in handy and help you combat the little creatures and keep them at bay.
2. What do professionals use to kill ants?
Professionals typically use killing agents , often containing harsh chemicals, to eliminate ants. While there are ant killers available that are odor-free, effective, and safe for domestic use and the environment, in cases of severe infestation, it’s advisable to hire professionals.
3. How long does it take to get rid of an ant infestation?
It typically takes a few days to eliminate an ant infestation with efficient ant killers. However, larger or more complex infestations might require a few weeks and multiple treatments for complete eradication.
4. Do ants get worse after spraying?
Initially, the situation could worsen as thousands of ants scurry out of their colonies. However, using ant control spray around the periphery of your home and planning your spray path could stop an ant invasion in the interiors of your home.
5. Will bleach kill ants outside?
While bleach can be used for ant infestation eradication, using it is cumbersome, and it can also harm your skin and overall health.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our writers and reviewers have compiled this list of the best outdoor ant killers that can eliminate the risk of insects damaging your lawn or patio. Our articles are driven by extensive research into the features, benefits, and drawbacks of different products across a multitude of categories, so we can help you have a seamless shopping experience. The article includes various types of baits to get rid of ant infestation and a buying guide section highlighting the different factors like safety and requirements you should consider before choosing an ant killer.
The Bottom Line
Ant killers are handy products that effectively rid your home and garden of pests that may affect your food or lead to ant bites. Made from a blend of key ingredients, they kill ants in a few days, ensuring colonies are eradicated easily. While going through the best outdoor ant killers, evaluate what type of ant you are trying to get rid of and check if they are weather-proof so they are not easily washed away. Moreover, it is wise to choose ant traps or children- and pet-safe ant killer options such as Combat Max Ant Killing Gel if you have pets or children. With these points in mind, you can choose a product best suited to your needs and keep your home and family safe. Our top recommendations include the Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait, effective on 25 species of ants, and the quick-acting Martin’s Surrender Fire Ant Killer Insecticide.
Infographic: What To Consider When Using An Outdoor Ant Killer
Specialized outdoor ant killers are an effective solution for eliminating outdoor ant infestations. However, using the right ant killer and applying them correctly for safety and optimal effectiveness is crucial. Check out our infographic below to learn about the factors to consider when using outdoor ant killers. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Ants | National Wildlife Federation
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Ants
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