10 Best Ant Killers 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Ant Killer

If you have an ant infestation in your home or workplace, there are a lot of ways to take care of it. All of them involve some sort of ant killer. We’ve researched a range of different kinds of ant killers to help you find the best one. Before we get to the reviews, let’s take a look at some of the important features you need to know about to find the most powerful ant killer.

Count - When applicable, we made sure to note how many come in a package. Some of the top ant killers are traps or cartridges with a few to a package. Others are large bags or bottles that don’t have a product count.

Usage - All of the top rated ant killers are good for home use but a few are also appropriate for commercial properties. There are reasons why some ant killers aren’t rated for commercial use so make sure you read the directions first.

Target - Sometimes, you’re dealing with one kind of ant. Other times, maybe you’re not sure or you know you’re seen a few types crawling about. Some ant killers are really specific while others will take out just about any insect.

Location - Some of these can be used anywhere, indoors or outdoors. Generally, sprays and loose powders are only supposed to be used outdoors where there’s proper ventilation. Gels and bait traps can be used anywhere, indoors or out.

Strength - There are a few ant killers that are specifically designed to have residual effects that continue working for weeks or even months. When possible, we were as specific as we could be about how long each was effective.

Weight - Two things we should note here. Bags of powder come in multi-pound bags that can be used a few times. The weight of liquids can be deceiving because you dilute them so you’re actually getting much more.

Top 10 Products

Dealing with an ant infestation can be frustrating. Whether it’s inside or outside, household ants in the kitchen or fire ants in the yard, you need to take care of it. Fast. No matter where your problem is, there’s a top rated ant killer for you. Now that you know the important features of the best ant killers, let’s get into the reviews. If you’re in a hurry, check out our top and budget picks first. Now, let’s get started!

Over ‘N Out! Fire Ant Killer

There are a lot of reasons why we’re calling this our top pick and the best fire ant killer. For starters, one application kills a fire ant mound in just 15 minutes. Yes, you read that right. Just 15 minutes! And here’s something we couldn’t believe. One application provides 6 months of control. This product is a large bag of granules that should be applied with a drop or broadcast sprayer. The ants feed on it, take it back to the queen, and kill the entire colony. And get this. One bag covers up to 5000 square feet! Use this one outside on your lawn, in your flowers, around the perimeter of your home. Anywhere you see a mound, use Over ‘N Out and your fire ants will be, well, over and out.

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Terro T300 Liquid Baits

If you’re looking for a top ant killer to use indoors and the strongest ant killer household ants, check out our budget pick. These bait stations are pre-filled and ready-to-use. This is a pack of 6. If you have a large infestation, you should use them all at the same time to make sure it’s adequately taken care of. The bait is specially designed not to dry out and will be effective for a few weeks. This bait attracts worker ants fast. It kills ants in 2-3 days - giving them enough time to take it back home and share it with their friends. Don’t be discouraged if you see more ants initially - this is good! It means the bait is drawing them out and you’ll have a better chance of getting them all.

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Amdro Ant Block

This is another choice for best ant bait that will work even when you can’t figure out exactly where the ants are coming from. Why? Hungry workers think it’s a delicious meal. This is why you might see an increase in ants at first. It’s like the first ant that found it told everyone about this great new place to get good food and then everyone decides to go there. Then they bring some home for the queen and their friends and soon, the entire colony is wiped out. This bait is meant to be used outside around the perimeter of your home to keep ants from getting in and works on almost all species. It’s a large bottle that has enough in it to treat your home 5 times.

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Ortho Fire Ant Killer

If you’ve got fire ants, this ant killer comes with a money back guarantee. This one works by killing the queen and destroying the mound. One 12 oz bottle is enough to treat and kill 54 mounds. Use 1 tablespoon on each mound in your yard. It starts working within hours and, within 3 days, the queen and her entire kingdom will be destroyed. There’s no need to water this one in, either. It’s specially formulated to get the job done as is. Not only can you use it on your lawn but it’s also safe to use around flowers, shrubs, and trees. Don’t disturb the mounds when placing the ant killer because fire ants can get pretty feisty and may even sting you. Just sprinkle on the Ortho Fire Ant Killer and let it do its magic.

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Advion Ant Gel

Gels are much more versatile than some other forms of ant killer. What do we mean by “more versatile?” For starters, the gel should be applied in 2 ways. First, you can put the gel down as a series of spots, each being about the size of a pea. Or, for larger infestations, you can put it down in ? inch wide lines. Now, this gel can be used indoors or outdoors, which is great. Place it along window ledges, under the sink, in cracked mortar, along walls, or near the garbage can. You can even use this gel in bait stations. It works like all baits do - by attracting the ants with a yummy meal and encouraging them to take it back home and share it with their buddies and their queen.

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Bayers Advanced 700310

This is a great outdoor ant killer because it can be used just about anywhere, from lawns to foundations to patios. It’s great for carpenter ants but can also kill a wide range of winged wood-infesting insects as well as about 75 other species. Carpenters ants need to be dealt with a little differently than some other kinds. What do we mean? Well, if you used a slow acting bait with carpenter ants, they’d eventually take it back to the queen. But, in the meantime, they’d continue to destroy your wood. That’s why this one kills on contact. This is best ant killer spray and comes as a liquid that is meant to be mixed with water. Get this: a 32 oz bottle makes enough to treat an impressive 21,000 square feet! And it offers residual protection, too!

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Raid Ant and Roach Spray

Looking for the best ant spray for home? We found it. This Raid Ant and Roach spray kills on contact and has a residual effect that lasts 4 weeks. So, you’ll kill the ants you see and leave enough behind to get their friends that come looking for them, too. And get this: not only does it leave no lingering chemical smell, it’s flat out fragrance free. What’s great about this is that, while it kills on contact, you don’t have to spray it where you see ants. If you know where they’re nesting or how they’re getting into your home from the outside, just spray some in that area and it will be effective, too. Spray until wet in cracks, along baseboards, under the sink - anywhere you’ve seen the little buggers.

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Combat Max Ant Gel

Another top pick for best ant bait, Combat Max Ant Gel attracts the lowly worker ants with promises of a delicious meal. The food is then taken back to the queen and the rest of the colony where it soon wipes them all out. How long will this take? About 3-5 days. This is a gel-filled syringe that’s easy to use so you can just place it wherever it’s needed. It’s child proof, too, so that’s one less thing to worry about. Because of how the applicator is designed, it makes it easy to get the gel into cracks and crevices. And you know what that means? The ants can’t hide. You can get the gel just about anywhere they’re going to be. It’s great for indoor and outdoor use and is one of the best ant baits available.

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EcoSMART 33102 Organic Ant Killer

If you wanted something that was a little more earth friendly, check out this ant killer from EcoSMART. It’s 100% organic and non-toxic and a good choice if you have a home with pets or small children. You’re probably wondering how something like this actually kills ants. Well, it uses natural plant oils like rosemary and cinnamon oil. Not to get too technical, but the theory behind this formula is that if you can mess with the neuro-receptor octopamine, the ant will die. This is something that these ingredients can do. What’s great about it is it’s not dangerous to anything but insects because they’re the only kind of creature that has octopamine. This is not just an impressive way to apply science. It’s effective, too. And, believe it or not, made of food grade material.

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Safer Brand Crawling Insect Killer

If you’re looking for another environmentally safe option, check out this ant killer from Safer Brand. This large 4 pound resealable bag is 100% diatomaceous earth and highly effective. What is diatomaceous earth? It’s naturally occurring soft sedimentary rock made of fossilized hard shelled diatoms. It easy crumbles into a powder. How does it work? While it feels soft to us, it has microscopic sharp edges. They cut through the exoskeleton and dehydrate the ant. It works on a lot of other insect species, too. Ants can’t build an immunity to it because it’s not a chemical. It starts working almost immediately but can take up to 48 hours to kill an insect. The best part? It’s safe for the environment and for humans. You can use it indoors or outdoors, too.

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About the Author

Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

Best Ant Killers

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Over ‘N Out! Fire Ant Killer

Terro T300 Liquid Baits

How to Choose the Best Ant Killer

Top 10 Products

Over ‘N Out! Fire Ant Killer

Terro T300 Liquid Baits

Amdro Ant Block

Ortho Fire Ant Killer

Advion Ant Gel

Bayers Advanced 700310

Raid Ant and Roach Spray

Combat Max Ant Gel

EcoSMART 33102 Organic Ant Killer

Safer Brand Crawling Insect Killer

About the Author

TOP PICK

Over ‘N Out! Fire Ant Killer