We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products The Best Ant Killers for Keeping Your Home Pest Free Sprays, baits, and gels to get rid of insects inside and outside your house. By Lesley Chen Lesley Chen Lesley Chen is a San Francisco-based writer who covers shopping, home, tech, health, and general lifestyle topics for various websites. Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. She has a BA in economics and psychology from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 16, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / David Hattan We all love a good houseguest, but uninvited pests like ants can be a real problem. Finding the insect running amok on your walls, furniture, and counters can be both annoying and concerning—especially if they’ve made it into your cupboards—but it’s nothing a good ant killer can’t fix. When choosing the best ant killer for your home, first consider the type of ant problem you have (small invasions or large colonies), where the ants are located (indoors vs. outdoors), and whether you have pets or children. You want a product that is effective for the specific type of ants you're dealing with, too, says John Target, owner of Target Pest Control. To find the best ant killers, we researched popular options and considered factors such as type, active ingredients, targeted pests, performance, duration, and pet safety. We also spoke to Target for recommendations on what to look for when eliminating ants once and for all. Ahead are the best ant killer sprays, granules, and baits for indoor and outdoor use. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer at Amazon $21 $17 Jump to Review Best Indoor: Terro Liquid Ant Baits at Amazon $13 Jump to Review Best Outdoor: SALE Terro Outdoor Ant Killer at Amazon $10 $7 Jump to Review Best Natural: Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Control at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Pet Safe: Raid Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray at Amazon $9 Jump to Review Best Spray: Raid Multi Insect Killer 7 at Amazon $8 Jump to Review Best Gel: SALE Syngenta Advion Ant Gel at Amazon $40 $33 Jump to Review Best for Fire Ants: SALE Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer at Amazon $15 $12 Jump to Review Best for Carpenter Ants: SALE Terro Carpenter Ant and Termite Killer Aerosol at Amazon $19 $15 Jump to Review Best Stations: Terro Multi-Surface Liquid Ant Baits at Amazon $13 Jump to Review Best Overall Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer PHOTO: Amazon $21 $17 at Amazon $8 at Target $9 at Walmart What Stands Out This spray can be used indoors and outdoors, targets a variety of pests, is long lasting, and includes a wand for easier application. What Could Be Improved It's not safe to use around children or pets. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer gets rid of ants and a ton of other pests that may be plaguing your home, including spiders and cockroaches. Not only can you use the spray indoors, but you can also use it outside on doors, patios, garages, and more to prevent uninvited bugs from coming into your home. It lasts up to 12 months, so you won't have to worry about having to respray over and over again. This formula comes in a gallon container, and the included wand sprays continuously to help with easy and controlled application. It dries clear and quickly and has no fumes. Note that it's only safe for pets once the spray has dried completely. Type: Spray | Targeted Pests: Ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, earwigs, silverfish, centipedes, millipedes (130+ insects) | Duration: 12 months | Safe for Pets: Yes, after the spray has dried completely Best Indoor Terro Liquid Ant Baits PHOTO: Amazon $13 at Amazon $6 at Target $13 at Walmart What Stands Out The baits help attract and eliminate ant colonies instead of killing only the visible ants. What Could Be Improved The liquid inside the bait is sticky and can sometimes leak. Often with ant problems, you can see where a trail leads but can’t always locate the source. With the Terro T300B Liquid Ant Killer, you don’t have to. These baits contain a sweet liquid that attracts ants, and the ants bring it back to the colony, where the toxic material inside the liquid helps eliminate the colony. The baits are small so you can put them wherever needed, whether on counters, in room corners, near kitchen trash cans, or along baseboards. The baits should start working within a few days and can last up to three months, but you’ll need to monitor the bait stations regularly and replace them when the liquid is gone. You also want to avoid putting the baits in areas where you’ve already used ant killer sprays, as the spray may deter ants from coming to the bait stations. Type: Liquid bait | Targeted Pests: Ants | Duration: 3 months | Safe for Pets: No Best Outdoor Terro Outdoor Ant Killer PHOTO: Amazon $10 $7 at Amazon $8 at Walmart $8 at Home Depot What Stands Out The reusable bag makes it easy to spread the granules outside, and it works quickly. What Could Be Improved It isn’t pet safe, and the granules can be washed away by rain. To target outdoor pests so they don’t become indoor pests, Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Killer granules kill ants and other bugs like cockroaches, crickets, and fleas within 24 hours of contact. It comes in a resealable bag with a built-in handle on the bottom; you open the bag, turn it upside down, and start shaking out the granules. You have to lightly water the granules immediately after application, though you should avoid using a high-pressure hose, which could disturb the ants and cause them to migrate. The ant killer should last up to two months, but pets should stay away from the treated area. Type: Granules | Targeted Pests: Ants, fire ants, fleas, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, millipedes, mites, palmetto bugs, silverfish, sowbugs, waterbugs | Duration: 2 months | Safe for Pets: No Best Natural Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Control PHOTO: Amazon $20 at Amazon $10 at Target $20 at Walmart What Stands Out It has a natural formula and is made with plant-based ingredients. What Could Be Improved It has a strong peppermint scent. If you prefer to use fewer chemicals in your pest control methods, the Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Control Spray uses all plant-based ingredients. It uses peppermint oil as an insect repellent and killer, and it also contains ingredients derived from soybeans, palms, and vegetable oils. The spray can be used both indoors and outdoors. It won’t leave behind a chemical smell, but it does have a strong peppermint scent. The brand says that it’s safe to use around pets, though some sources, such as the American Kennel Club, say some essential oils, like peppermint, are poisonous to dogs when ingested or spread on the skin. Type: Spray | Targeted Pests: Ants, spiders, flying insects | Duration: 2 weeks | Safe for Pets: The brand says it is pet safe, but experts say some essential oils, like peppermint, are poisonous to dogs and cats Best Pet Safe Raid Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray PHOTO: Amazon $9 at Amazon $9 at Walmart What Stands Out It’s made with plant-based ingredients that are safe to use around children and pets. What Could Be Improved It may be less effective on large infestations. Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray is something you can store and use safely around your furry family members. The aerosol spray uses plant-based ingredients to kill ants, roaches, and other crawling insects. It comes in a rust-proof, easy-to-use aluminum can, and the cap locks closed, so you won't have to worry about accidental spraying. It's only effective on contact, so you need to ensure surfaces aren't wet and then spray directly (about 12 inches away) onto the insects or infested surfaces. Type: Spray | Targeted Pests: Ants, roaches | Duration: On contact | Safe for Pets: Yes Best Spray Raid Multi Insect Killer 7 PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon $7 at Walmart $13 at Staples What Stands Out It can be used on crawling and flying insects, and the spray is easy to use indoors or outdoors. What Could Be Improved It kills on contact but doesn’t last longer beyond that. Sprays are great at quickly and immediately targeting ants and other pests—just point and spray. In addition to ants, Raid Multi Insect Killer can be used to protect your house from a wide variety of crawling and flying insects such as spiders, roaches, small moths, fleas, flies, and more. It has an orange breeze scent and doesn’t leave behind an overly chemical odor, but people and pets should not enter the treated area until the sprays have dried and the room has been ventilated for a few hours. Type: Spray | Targeted Pests: Ants, bed bugs, boxelder bugs, crickets, fleas, flies, fruit and drain flies, hornets, mosquitos, roaches, silverfish, spiders, sowbugs and pillbugs, wasps, carpet beetles, waterbugs, small flying moths | Duration: On contact | Safe for Pets: Once vapors, mists, and aerosols have dispersed, and the treated area has been thoroughly ventilated Best Gel Syngenta Advion Ant Gel PHOTO: Amazon $40 $33 at Amazon $30 at Walmart What Stands Out It’s an odorless and non-staining gel that works on major ant species. What Could Be Improved The gel only works on ant species and not other insects. Syngenta Advion Ant Gel Bait looks small but packs a punch. There are four tubes included in the pack as well as a plunger and two tips, and each tube is filled with a clear gel bait that’s odorless and won’t stain. You can apply it on any surface, such as in cracks, under appliances, behind furniture, and wherever else you see ants—they’ll take the poison back to their colony. While you may see more ants in the short term (because the ants are attracted to the gel), it should help in the long run by eradicating the colony. It works on major ant species, such as black ants and carpenter ants, but it’s not designed for use on other bugs. Type: Bait | Targeted Pests: Major ant species | Duration: Not specified | Safe for Pets: No Best for Fire Ants Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer PHOTO: Amazon $15 $12 at Amazon $12 at Target $17 at Walmart What Stands Out It targets queen fire ants and can destroy fire ant mounds within an hour. What Could Be Improved It has to be used with broadcast granules to prevent new mounds. Fire ants have venomous bites, so if you find yourself with fire ants instead of regular black ants, you’ll likely want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer is a dry powder that can kill up to 162 mounds. You sprinkle the granules on the fire ant mounds, and it starts working within an hour, killing the queen along the way. For best results, you should apply the granules when the fire ants are active and try not to disturb the mounds. There’s no watering required, but you need to use Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules (sold separately) to prevent new mounds from forming. It can also leave behind a strong odor. Type: Granules | Targeted Pests: Fire ants | Duration: 6 months | Safe for Pets: No Best for Carpenter Ants Terro Carpenter Ant and Termite Killer Aerosol PHOTO: Amazon $19 $15 at Amazon $16 at Walmart View on Webstaurantstore.com What Stands Out It targets carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and termites and is effective for up to a month after spraying. What Could Be Improved It can be hard to use the nozzle. Carpenter ants can be damaging because they dig holes in wood to make their nests, which can weaken structures in your home. Terro Carpenter Ant and Termite Killer Aerosol Spray kills both carpenter ants, termites (which actually eat wood), and carpenter bees on contact and is effective for up to a month after. The can has a two-way spray nozzle that lets you spray a larger surface or target specific crevices, cracks, or infested wood. It’s non-staining and odorless and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Type: Spray | Targeted Pests: Carpenter ants, termites, carpenter bees | Duration: One month | Safe for Pets: No Best Stations Terro Multi-Surface Liquid Ant Baits PHOTO: Walmart $13 at Amazon $9 at Walmart $8 at Lowe's What Stands Out The bait stations can help kill ant colonies and be placed on any surface. What Could Be Improved The liquid tabs may be hard to twist off. Bait stations are compact, discreet, and generally mess free, which makes them great for anyone who wants a low-maintenance way to eliminate ants. The Terro T334B Indoor Multi-Surface Liquid Ant Bait Stations are pre-filled with a sweet liquid that attracts ants and then kills the ants once they’ve had enough time to bring the lethal active ingredient back to the colony. The baits start working quickly, and you should see a decrease in ants within a few days. The liquid stays fresh until you pull the tab off to use them, so you can store the rest away until you need them (there are four included in the pack). The stations have a two-color design, brown on one side and white on the other, to help them blend more easily into your space, and they have adhesive strips so you can securely place them on any surface. Type: Bait | Targeted Pests: All common household ants | Duration: Not listed | Safe for Pets: No Best for Lawns Wondercide EcoTreat Ready-to-Use Outdoor Pest Control Spray PHOTO: Amazon $38 at Amazon What Stands Out It can kill and repel ants and other insects in a lawn or outdoor space up to 5,000 square feet. What Could Be Improved It requires using a garden hose. For anyone who has a backyard, using a lawn ant killer can help you cover a large area and prevent ants from entering your house in the first place. Wondercide EcoTreat Ready-to-Use Outdoor Pest Control Spray comes in a handy container that can be attached to a garden hose to spray over your entire lawn. It’s made with plant-powered ingredients and essential oils, so it’s safe for your plants and flowers while eliminating insects like ants, fleas, flies, crickets, gnats, mosquitos, and more. It dries quickly and is safe around pets and kids when used as directed, and you only need to reapply every 30 to 45 days to prevent new infestations. Type: Spray | Targeted Pests: Ants, fleas, mosquitos, ticks, cricket, gnats, Japanese beetles, no see-ums | Duration: 30–45 days | Safe for Pets: Yes Final Verdict Our top pick is Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer, which targets a wide range of pests in addition to ants, can be used indoors and outdoors, and can provide up to 12 months of protection. For something that’s pet-friendly, consider Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer, which is made with plant-based ingredients. How to Shop for Ant Killers Like a Pro Type Ant killers come in different forms, including sprays, baits, or granules. Sprays can provide immediate results and kill ants on contact, and they’re easy to use when you have visible trails. However, according to Target, they can be less effective against entire colonies if not applied to the nest, and their residue might be harmful if used indoors around pets and children. Baits have liquid or gel inside and are great for targeting entire colonies. Ants are attracted to the bait, take it back to the nest, and share it, effectively killing at the source. The downside is that you may see a temporary increase of ants that come to the bait, and it can take a little more time to see the final results. Baits also tend to be small in size and can be placed discreetly throughout your home. Powders and granules can be spread in areas where ants are seen and around the perimeter of your home. “They act as a barrier and are good for long-term control,” Target says. “However, they need to be reapplied, especially after rain, and some can be harmful to pets if ingested.” Ease of Use Ease of use is important when you want to get rid of ants fast, but the easiest ant killer to use may not necessarily be the one that’s best for your situation or the type of pest you’re targeting. If you’re looking for something quick and convenient and are only targeting small infestations, a spray might be all you need. Baits are also easy to use but are primarily designed for ant species and not other insects. If you’re targeting an outdoor space or lawn, you may want to use granules or a spray that can be attached to a hose (like the Wondercide EcoTreat Ready-to-Use Outdoor Pest Control Spray), which are effective in larger areas to prevent ants from entering your home but require a few more steps to use. Effectiveness and Duration The effectiveness and duration of an ant killer depends on the type and active ingredients. For instance, aerosol sprays like the Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray can be extremely effective but have the shortest duration because they only kill bugs on contact or sometimes for a short period afterward if they contain an insecticide. Heavier-duty sprays like the Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer can give you up to 12 months of protection. Baits are extremely effective because they target the source, but they can take longer to work and you need to check on them regularly to see if the bait needs to be replaced. Target says the most effective ingredients in ant killers include: Borax (boric acid): Safe for use around pets and children in low quantities and works well in baits.Fipronil: Very effective in gel baits as it disrupts the ant’s central nervous system.Pyrethroids: Common in sprays for immediate kill and barrier creation, but they must be used carefully due to their toxicity to aquatic life and bees. Questions You Might Ask What is the most powerful ant killer? “Commercial-grade chemicals and baits are typically the most powerful ant killers, as they contain potent active ingredients,” Target says. “However, many of these require a license to purchase due to their strength and potential environmental impact.” Chemical ant killers may also not be your first choice if you have kids or pets around. For pet safety, look for pet-friendly labels and consider natural alternatives. For most consumers, Target says liquid baits and gels tend to be the most effective overall because they target the colony rather than just killing individual ants. They are also the best indoors as they are less messy and pose minimal risk if they’re placed out of reach of pets and children. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with experience writing home and lifestyle stories. To compile this list, she thoroughly researched ant killers based on type, targeted pests, duration, and pet safety. For expert advice, Lesley spoke to John Target, owner of Target Pest Control.