11 Best Outdoor Ant Killers That Are Safe To Use In 2023

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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 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 options, choosing the right ant killer may be challenging. So, check out our list of products to make an informed decision.

11 Best Outdoor Ant Killers

1.Best Stain-Free:Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant & Crawling Insect Killer

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 outthis videofor a detailed review of the product.

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

2. Best Multipurpose:Terro Ant Killer

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 granules without having to use your hands. Take a look atthis videoto learn more about the product.

Pros

• Resealable bag for easy storage
• Provides residual repellency
• Does not require the chemical applicator
• Effective on fire ants
• Prevents rebuilding of anthills

Cons

• Not suitable for indoor use
• May not work on carpenter ants

3. Best For Outdoors:Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait

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 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. Watchthis YouTuber’s honest reviewto get a better idea about the product and its features.

Pros

• Safe to use on lawns
• Stays effective for three months
• Easy to apply
• Resealable bottle for easy storage

Cons

• Not suitable for indoor use
• Some may find the bait attracting raccoons

4. Best For Hard-To-Reach Places:Combat Max Ant Killing Gel

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 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 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.

Pros

• Child- and pet-safe formula
• Mess-free application
• Suitable for outdoor and indoor use
• Odorless formula

Cons

• Might take time to attract ants
• May not be a long-term solution

5. Best For Sugar-Feeding Ants:过热Maxattrax蚁饵

The 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 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.

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

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. 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.

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

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 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.

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 not be suitable for indoor use
• May leak

8. Best Plant-Based:EcoVenger Ant & Crawling Insects Killer

EcoVenger is a plant-based spray with a pleasant citrus smell and is an insect neuron blocker. This 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 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. It’s toxin-free and dermatologically safe and is rated #1 by the Entomological Society of America.

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

The eco-friendly ant killerspraycontains natural plant oils like clove and cottonseed as active ingredients and is safe to use around children and pets. This ant deterrent exterminates ants in 30 minutes or less. The essential oils in it produce a light, pleasant scent, and there is no added artificial fragrance. This spray 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 spray
• 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 versatileant killercan 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.

Pros

• Creates a protective barrier
• Resealable bag for easy storage
• Convenient three-pound shaker bag
• Easy to use

Cons

• May not be suitable for indoor use
• Might need frequent reapplication

11. Best Acephate-Based:Martin’s Surrender Fire Ant Killer Insecticide

The 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.

Pros

• Water-soluble insecticide
• Provides lasting results
• Quick-acting formula
• Easy to use and apply
• 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 granules.
4. 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.
5. Requirement:如果避免采购颗粒作为ant杀手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.

Why Trust MomJunction?

We 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 also has a buying guide section highlighting the different factors like safety and requirement you should consider before choosing an ant killer.

References:

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