Best Ant Baits
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How We Found the Best Ant Baits
Ant Baits We Reviewed:
Best Ant Baits
Anyone who has ever had an ant problem in or near their house knows how tough it can be to get rid of the tiny insects. Considering that colony sizes can vary based on location and the types of ants, there is really no telling how many you’re dealing with in your unique situation.
The ants you are noticing are more than likely worker ants. Once these ants find food, they not only bring it back to their colony and their queen, but they bring more workers back with them. A small number of ants can quickly turn into a big problem, which is why it is important to know how to exterminate them.
There is a big difference between ant bait and ant sprays. Ant sprays work at the point of contact, killing only the ants that you see and spray. Ant baits work a bit differently, bringing all the ants from one colony to destroy the whole thing using poison.
This poison will kill off far more ants than if you had just sprayed the ones you saw.
BEST LIQUID BAIT
Terro Liquid Ant Baits
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Terro Liquid Ant Baits work to eliminate the whole problem, not just a temporary fix.
- Ant baits attract ants very quickly.
- The packs kill ants you don’t see as well as the ones you do see.
- They are easy to use – once you’ve placed them, you’re done.
- Packs are small and discrete.
- Affordable and available in different amounts.
Cons
- The product is not safe for human consumption and should not be used around small children.
- The product is not safe for animal consumption as well and is also not recommended for use around household pets like cats and dogs.
Features & Specs
- Comes in 1, 2 and 3-packs
- Ready to use
- Sealed station keeps bait fresh until opened
- Can be placed under appliances or other hard to reach areas.
Filled with liquid product, these bait stations are designed to kill ants over a period of 2-3 days. The active ingredient in this ant bait works slowly as to allow the ants to return to their colony and share the bait’s location with the rest of the ants.
The other ants in this colony will follow the trail left by their fellow workers and consume the same bait, and ultimately this cycle will continue until your ant problem is gone.
The liquid in Terro’s ant bait has been developed to prevent the bait itself from drying out and becoming useless. With these bait stations, the colony almost has an unlimited supply of “food.”
Terro Liquid Ant Bait is very easy to use. Users simply break apart each station and cut along the colored markers to open. Then, users can place the bait stations where the problem is most prominent or at a point of entrance, like a door or crack in the wall.
Since a pack comes with six stations, you can place multiple bait stations if necessary.
BEST FOR FIRE ANTS
Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Eliminates different species of ants
- Prevents new mounds from forming
- Ideal for flushing out an entire colony of ants
- Can be used both indoors or outdoors
Cons
- Rendered ineffective if it comes into contact with moisture
Features & Specs
- Comes in 0.375 lb., 1 lb. and 2 lb. jugs
- Seasonal control
- Stops new mounds from forming
Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules are great for effectively managing a fire ant problem, working to eliminate entire colonies of the attacking insects.
Users are to spread the fire ant bait, which is in the form of granules, all over your yard. This method is good because even if you don’t know exactly where the colonies are, you can cover your basis and nail your culprits.
If you do know where the colony or colonies are, you should still spread the granules over your entire yard. Amdro takes a two-step approach to fire ant control. Step two is to target your problem mounds. After you have spread the granules, spread extra granules where the colony mounds are.
This method works because not only does it attract the ants you see (the bait tastes like food to them), but it also attracts the rest of the colony. Like most baits, the active killing ingredient has a delayed reaction. A delayed reaction ensures that the worker ants have plenty of time to bring the bait back to the rest of the colony before they die
Amdro Fire Ant Bait is a great solution for infested yards, whether you know where the colony is or not. It’s good for season-long control and can take out colonies within two weeks.
BEST OUTDOOR BAIT
Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits are simple to use—just open and place.
- Removeable stakes make it easy to keep cups in place within yards with grass and dirt.
- Delayed active ingredient allows entire colonies to be eliminated.
- Long-lasting cups ensure three months of protection.
- Liquid bait stations are weatherproof and can withstand rain and other outdoor factors.
- Users report that the bait works on fire ants and carpenter ants as well as household ants.
Cons
- Packaging can cause the product to become messy; users report it can be easy to spill if you are not very, very careful when opening.
Features & Specs
- It comes in packs of one, two, three, or six
- Kills all forms of household ants
- For use outdoors to kill ants before they get in
- Can be staked into the ground
What makes these bait stations different from other bait stations is that they are completely weatherproof. They keep the liquid from drying out or being affected by rain, wind, etc.
In addition to this feature, the bait stations come with stakes that you can press into the ground for more secure placement. Critters like squirrels and birds won’t be able to knock your bait stations out of place, and no one will accidentally kick it over.
Like other baits, the liquid in these stations holds an active ingredient that slowly kills the ants—but not before they reach their colony and queen. While the bait station is attracting the ants that you have spotted, it will also bring out the ants you haven’t seen. In up to two weeks, the bait stations can have an entire colony wiped out.
Easy to use, all you have to do is push down on the bait cup and twist it one-quarter of the way around. Either with or without the removable stake, place the station close to where you have seen ants entering your home.
Users are advised not to move the cups, as the ants will return to the place they originally found them. For continual protection from these insects, replace the bait every three months.

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BEST FOR CARPENTER ANTS
Maxforce Fleet Ant Bait Gel
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Maxforce Fleet Ant Bait Gel works to target several kinds of ants, including Acrobat, Cornfield, Honey, Pharaoh, and more.
- The sweet taste of the gel works to attract specifically carpenter ants.
- The gel can easily fill in small crevices and cracks where ants can enter homes.
- Delayed poison ingredients work to attract colonies and kill more ants.
- Maxforce gel works quicker than other baits, ridding users of problems in three to five days.
Cons
- The company recommends that customers use a protein bait along with this gel, meaning users have to buy more than one product for full effectiveness./li>
- The gel is best for small areas, so it’s not a good product for larger problems.
- One tube is a little pricey.
Features & Specs
- Comes in a gel tube
- 27 grams per tube
- Effective at killing entire ant colonies
- Made of a sweet bait
Carpenter ants generally prefer a sweeter diet, so this gel works well to attract them and keep them coming back. The ants unknowingly ingest the sweet poison, which works slowly while they lead the rest of their colony back to the spot.
Users can place the gel in cracks or crevices where they see ants getting into their house. It can also be used in other small areas such as cabinets, drawers, and pipes.
BEST NON-TOXIC BAIT
Harris Borax Liquid Ant Killer
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Harris uses Borax, which is a naturally occurring mineral instead of a chemically developed ingredient.
- Harris is an EPA registered company, meaning they care about environmental safety.
- Borax works like other active ingredients used in baits, slowly killing the entire ant colony.
- Bait trays are easy to use.
- The bait will attract and kill several different kinds of household ants.
- The bait sells at a very affordable price.
Cons
- Harris Borax bait does not work on other ants, such as carpenter ants.
- Some users reported the bait works better without the use of the included tray.
Features & Specs
- 9 trays per pack
- Kills all common household ants
- Contains Borax
- EPA registered for indoor and outdoor use
The main active ingredient in this bait is borax, which is a naturally occurring mineral powder. Borax works the same as other baits’ active ingredients, slowly killing the ants, so there’s plenty of time for them to retrieve their friends.
Harris Borax bait is EPA registered for both indoor and outdoor use and can attract and kill any sweet eating ants, including Argentine ants, Pavements ants, and Acrobat ants.
BEST BAIT STATIONS
Kness Ants No More
Pros
- Unique design keeps the stations in place and protects them from the sun and small children.
- Compartmental design allows users to try two different products at once for better results.
- Green coloring makes these stations more discrete.
- The tamper-resistant lid makes this product safe for use around children and pets.
- They are easy to use and move around.
- Users report they are very durable.
Cons
- Users have to purchase their bait separately, as these stations are not pre-filled.
Features & Specs
- 2 bait compartments for liquid and/or liquid baits
- Multiple entry holes for increased movement
- Tamper proof lid
- Stations are UV resistant
The two compartments allow you to use two different kinds of bait simultaneously, potentially attracting more ants and destroying more colonies. The bait stop located on the inside of the station keeps the bait from spilling out, while smell entry holes let the ants reach the bait.
Kness designed these stations with safety in mind. Their tamper-resistant lids are designed to prevent accidental openings, like those from small children.
To keep your bait active longer, the stations are also UV resistant. These stations are great for around homes and other buildings.

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Read more to find out how you can protect your RVs and campers while they are in storage from pests. Some methods are surprisingly easy.

Advion Ant Gel Bait Review
| Updated for 2021Overall Rating: Pros Effective for more than 15 ant species Fast-acting Kills off queen ant and colony Cons May require daily reapplication Can be toxic if ingested More...

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Additional Advice
Ant invasions are fairly common occurrences, but they can be hard to understand and conquer. That’s why we have created an FAQ section to address frequently asked questions regarding ant problems. Read on to receive a bit of extra advice.
What is an Ant Colony?
An ant colony is a home that ants build and live in together. Additionally, a colony is also the social organization that ants follow.
You have probably seen many ant hills in your life. It’s true that these any hills contain colonies. However, a colony is much more than just the hill. Anthills are just the entrance and exit. The actual colony is made up of underground tunnels. These tunnels can go on to be as deep as 25 feet.
Every colony has a social structure, where the queen ant is the leader and founder. The queen ant will lay thousands of eggs in her lifetime. From these ants can come drones, workers, and alates.
How Many Ants are in a Colony?
Depending on the species, location, and timeline, ant colonies will vary in size.
Queens can live up to 30 years, which means that if her colony goes undisturbed, it can grow to great sizes with thousands and thousands of members. Fire ant colonies are known to have tens of thousands of ants.
Fire ants, along with some other species, can form “supercolonies,” which consist of multiple nests, queens, etc. and can contain millions of ants.
However, colonies found in your backyard could be brand new and house just a couple hundred ants.
What Kind of Bait Should I Use?
There are a few different kinds of baits that are effective in getting rid of ants. Some ant issues can be more difficult to tackle than others.
If you find that you only see a few here and there, or you happen to catch them coming in through a crack or crevice, it’s likely that your ant problem is still outside.
In this case, it’s best to use outdoor bait products. These products come in the form of granules that you can spread throughout your yard or stations that contain either granules or liquid bait.
If you see large amounts of ants in your home or spot them in long trails coming from inside a cabinet or the wall, you may have an indoor nest starting. Look for indoor bait traps, such as liquid bait stations or gels. Certain baits are designed for indoor use and will attract all the ants living inside.
How Can I Prevent Ant Infestations?
The first rule of thumb for preventing ant issues is to keep a clean household. This is especially important in areas that food is stored and prepared. Keep your floors and countertops clean, free from spills, crumb, and sticky substances.
Make sure you empty your garbage can regularly. Keep your food in tightly sealed containers and bags. Don’t leave dirty dishes out for extended periods and run your dishwasher consistently.
Additionally, try to keep ant pet food on a raised surface as to not attract the unwanted insects.
Weather seal is a good way to eliminate gaps in doors and windows where ants frequently get in. A good idea is to use caulk around pipes and faucets, as these gaps provide access to wall voids or even the outdoors.