8 Best Ant Killers of 2024

These ant baits from Raid use two types of bait to kill ants. Wang says that ant killers that use bait work well because they kill the entire colony. Ants first directly feed on the bait which will kill them individually. They then return to the colony and transfer the bait to other ants to kill the entire colony at the source. The baits include peanut butter, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, peanut oil and powdered sugar that act as food sources to attract the ants so they take the bait back to kill the colony. The active ingredient that kills the ants is Avermectin B1, a known developmental toxin, but since it's contained within the baits it should pose little risk to humans and pets.

It's recommended to place the baits on horizontal surfaces touching corners and walls. According to the brand, you can expect a reduction of ants within days, and the baits will work for up to three months, after that they should be replaced.

• Application method: Bait
• Where to use: Indoor only

We like that this gel ant killer is easy to apply as it comes in a ready-to-use syringe and the gel can easily be squeezed into hard-to-reach areas where ants travel such as cracks and crevices. The gel acts as bait, and like other baits Wang recommends, this also works to kill the entire colony since the ants will take the gel bait back to the colony so the ants will die at the source. The brand claims it has a higher water content to encourage faster feeding, so it starts working within hours. It contains the insecticide Fipronil, so be sure to only use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. One satisfied Amazon reviewer says, “This ant killer works fast, within 12 hours there were piles of dead ants.” For best results squeeze multiple drops of gel around cracks or crevices where you see or have seen ants.

• Application method: Gel bait
• Where to use: Indoor only

Terro’s Liquid Bait Ant Killer contains Borax, a chemical also known as sodium borate, and according to Wang, "Borax can be used to kill most urban ants" It kills the ants that feed on it but also allows enough time for ants to bring it back to the colony to kill it. However, he says that for large-colony ant species (more likely to be found in suburban or rural environments) such as carpenter, odorous and fire ants, you'll need to use ant killers that aren't boric acid-based and specifically made to kill those types of ants.

The baits are pre-filled and ready to use, so all you have to do is snap off the top and place the baits where you see ants. Terro claims the patented design prevents the baits from drying out so they will attract ants for longer. This ant killer has nearly 50,000 5-star reviews with reviewers saying these do an excellent job of attracting and killing ants.

• Application method: Liquid bait
• Where to use: Indoor only

Zevo Ant, Roach and Spider Spray earned the Good Housekeeping Seal thanks to its effectiveness in killing ants. Its active ingredients include geraniol and cinnamon oil, which are bio-insecticides, that kill these types of insects on contact.

To use this product the brand recommends spraying the ants directly and until thoroughly wet to produce the best results. It can be used indoors or outdoors wherever ants are found. It's safe to use around people and most household pets but should always be used as directed and kept out of children's reach. Take note: This should not be sprayed near birds, reptiles or fish.

• Application method: Aerosol spray
• Where to use: Indoors or outdoors

This spray ant killer has a citronella scent and its active ingredients include essential oils such as lemongrass, geraniol and cedarwood oil. The brand claims this kills common house ants as well as odorous house and fire ants. When sprayed on ants Wang says this will kill ants and also act as a repellant to the area due to the ingredients in the spray. However, like most contact ant killers, this only kills ants that are directly sprayed, so Wang recommends using bait ant killers as well to get rid of the entire colony.

According to the brand, the spray is toxin-free and dermatologically safe for children, pets, birds and fish, but it’s best to take precautions when using it around children or pets. Take note, some say the spray’s scent is rather strong but it dissipates quickly.

• Application method: Trigger spray
• Where to use: Indoors and outdoors

If you would rather spray the indoor or outdoor perimeter of your home, creating a barrier to prevent pests from coming inside, this bottle with a spray wand makes it easy to apply with no pumping or pulling a trigger required. Simply attach the supplied wand and with a push of a button, you’re ready to start spraying.

According to Ortho, protection lasts up to 12 months and can kill ants on contact as well as other bugs including cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes, so there’s no need to buy separate sprays. But be warned, this product contains bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin, heavier-duty pesticides, so follow the package directions and wear protective equipment when applying it and keep it away from children and pets.

• Application method: Wand spray
• Where to use: Indoors and outdoors

If you find ants in your yard keep bothering you or you want to be proactive to keep them from coming inside, use this granular ant killer. Shake the granules from the container around the perimeter of your home and yard. Amdro claims it will kill 25 different species of ants including carpenter ants, fire ants, ghost ants and more.

The ants will take the bait and bring it back to the source, killing the entire colony. For best results, Amdro recommends not applying the product to the soaking wet ground or when heavy rains are expected. Amdro also recommends not using this around vegetable gardens due to the inclusion of the heavy-duty hydrometylnon. Only use the granules according to the package directions.

• Application method: Granules
• Where to use: Outdoor only

If you want to cover a lot of ground to kill ants and a variety of other insects such as mosquitos, ticks and fleas in your yard, Ortho BugClear starts killing ants and other pests within minutes of being applied.

It attaches to a garden hose to cover a large area and provides treatment for up to 5,300 sq. ft. lawn. According to Ortho, it’s non-staining and odor-free. For best results, it’s recommended to apply this when bugs first appear and spray uniformly over the lawn. Some lawn insects may require a second treatment 4 to 6 weeks following the first application.

Take note: Birnur Aral, Executive Director of the Beauty, Health & Environmental Sciences Lab, recommends keeping kids and pets away from this product and using precautions as it contains bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin in an even higher concentration than the other Ortho product we recommend. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), bifenthrin is toxic and harmful if absorbed through the skin. Be sure to read all directions before use and wear protective clothing like long sleeves, long pants and waterproof gloves when applying this spray. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

• Application method: Hose spray
• Where to use: Outdoor only