We Tested the Most Effective Indoor and Outdoor Ant Killers for Your House and Yard

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Terro Pre-Filled Liquid Ant Killer II

$19.98 at Amazon

For minimal fuss, pre-filled liquid bait stations like TERRO PreFilled Liquid Ant Killer II are an effective and popular DIY ant killer. Simply place stations in and around your home and leave them.

The containers have tiny openings to keep paws and little hands from coming into contact with the bait. And because ants consume liquids easier than solids, they’re more likely to bring the bait back to the nest, wiping out the entire colony in less than a week.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Liquid ant bait formula
• Safe for countertops
• Reasonable price point

Cons

• Reviewers share that this will spill easily and not easy to clean

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Extinguish Plus Fire Ant Bait

$73.85 at Amazon

One advantage of ant baits is that they’re formulated for a certain type of ant, so they have little or no effect on non-targeted insects and organisms. A top pick for killing menacing fire ants that’s also safe for pets is Extinguish Plus Fire Ant Bait.

Strategically lay down the granular bait near mounds or wherever you see fire ants congregate. Expect elimination of the colony in a few days.

Pros

• Easy to follow instructions
• Effective formula to target fire ants

Cons

• Reviewers share they do not like the smell it leaves when they apply it in areas
• Price

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Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait Stakes

$14.20 at Amazon

Bait stakes are an excellent defense against outdoor infestations. Placed directly into the soil, bait stakes zero in on ants you can see and those you can’t. Fast-acting TERRO Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait Stakes attract ants straight to the bait’s sugary liquid.

To use, snap off the activation tab and push the stake into the ground. Don’t forget to put a few near your home’s entrance for extra protection against interlopers. Here are nine myths about ants you need to stop believing.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Most-effective to removing ants from indoors and outdoors

Cons

• Liquid formula can spill on hands
• Not easy to open

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Syngenta Optiguard Ant Bait Gel

$30.59 at Amazon

Beyond being effective in killing ants, the fast-acting Syngenta Optiguard Ant Bait Gel comes in a plunger-style dispenser so you can spread the potent insecticide precisely where ant activity is heaviest.

No need to track down the nest. Insert the gel into cracks and crevices where it will be eaten by workers and later shared with the rest of the colony. It knocks out the workers, brood and queens. For indoor and outdoor use. Plus, these tips will help you to keep all pests away from your home.

Pros

• Highly effective formula
• Transfers easily to area

Cons

• Reviewers share that it starts off as a watery material until it forms as gel
• Messy application

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Terro Liquid Ant Killer II

$18.96 at Amazon

If you have a big property or a large infestation, Terro Liquid Ant Killer II, like the pre-filled Terro ant stations above, combines the power of borax with the convenience of a gel.

All you need to do is squeeze generous amounts of gel near scent trails and let ants go to town. In some cases, the entire colony will be dead within 48 hours.

Pros

• Leaves an scent on area
• Easy application and removal
• Great price

Cons

• Leaves a mess after ant colony arrives in area
• Dries off quickly

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Amdro Ant Bait

18.4519% OFF$14.99 at Amazon

Prevent more than 14 species of ants from taking over with highly-rated AMDRO Ant Bait—we’ve tried it! Sprinkle the small pellets on your lawn and around the perimeter of your property. We recommend using a broadcast spreader to distribute bait evenly.

The all-weather granules are water-resistant so there’s no need to reapply every time it rains. Be patient! AMDRO is slow-acting and can take up to a week or more to kill the colony.

Note: AMDRO is toxic and should not be applied around children, animals or in vegetable gardens.

Pros

• Application last for a few months
• Easy to pour
• Great price

Cons

• Small bottle which can run empty after a few uses

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Harris Diatomaceous Earth Ant Powder

$25.99 at Amazon

Made from fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms, diatomaceous earth in its purified form is considered “food grade.” When ants ingest it, however, they become dehydrated and die.

Harris Diatomaceous Earth contains no harmful chemicals and is generally considered safe for pets. But because the dust can irritate nasal passages and lungs as well as exposed skin, it’s best to wear a mask and gloves when treating an area.

Pros

• Powder form
• Easy to use application
• Listed by the Organic Minerals Research Institute (OMRI)
• Not toxic to pets

Cons

• It takes time, doesn’t work right away

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Orange Guard Home Pest Control Spray

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Using biodegradable D-Limonene (orange peel oil) as its active ingredient, premixed Orange Guard Home Pest Control Spray not only kills ants but a whole host of other bugs, including fleas and cockroaches.

Water-based and organic, it’s safe around food, children and pets, plus it can be used inside and out. The downside: It’s not effective in destroying the colony. For that, baits are your best bet. Do you have flying ants or termites? Here’s the difference.

Pros

• EPA registered
• Long-lasting
• Leaves a orange citrus scent

Cons

• Strong scent that may affect those with sensitive noses
• Doesn’t kill all types of ants

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Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray

$13.19 at Amazon

Exterminating insects since 1956, Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray kills ants on contact using a pair of strong chemical insecticides: imiprothrin and cypermethrin.

It’s a good option as a short-term fix for indoors. The manufacturer claims a residual effect that goes on killing for up to four weeks, but the jury is still out on that. Raid is straight-up poisonous and should be kept far away from food, children and pets. Plus, here’s how to ant-proof your hummingbird feeder.

Pros

• No chemical odor
• Apply to all surfaces
• Can use to kill a variety of insects
• Price

Cons

• Shoots a stream
• Doesn’t kill fruit flies

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Terro Outdoor Ant Killer Spray

$27.99 at Amazon

For a rapid way to knock down garden pests including carpenter ants, fire ants, cockroaches, spiders, boxelder bugs, etc., try TERRO Outdoor Ant Killer Spray.

Intended for outdoor use only before ants make their way into your home, it’s a great spot treatment for surfaces like foundations or garbage bins, or directly on trails and anthills. Apply it around the perimeter of your home to create a reliable barrier of protection.

Pros

• Two bottles in one set
• Easy to spray in hard to reach places

Cons

• Spray leaves a foam in the area
• Expensive

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Cinnamon

10.999% OFF$9.99 at Amazon

Cinnamon is a natural ant remedy. In its ground structure, the odor of cinnamon repels ants. However, in its essential oil form, it actually kills them. The effectiveness of cinnamon as an extermination method depends on several factors, such as the potency of the oil and how and where it’s delivered.

A 2014 university study found that certain concentrations of cinnamon oil killed ants. With a little trial and error, so can you.

Pros

• Comes with a dropper to apply the oil on surfaces
• Great scent

Cons

• Leaves a strong scent
• Small bottle

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Borax

$11.89 at Amazon

Borax is a natural ant remedy. The active ingredient in many commercially produced ant killers, borax can be found wherever cleaning products are sold.

Take the necessary steps to apply it safely and you can create homemade baits. Combine borax, sugar and water into a paste and place it inside sealed containers. Cut narrow openings on the lids to protect kids and pets from exposure. Hide the bait in corners of the house and yard and see results in less than a week.

Pros

• Powder form
• Multi-purpose cleaner
• Unscented
• Dissolves easily

Cons

• Reviewers say this comes in poor packing and can’t reseal the box