Are you searching for the best ant trap and baits to buy? Do you need to learn how to stop ant infestations using ant traps and their respective baits? You are on the right page here.
In this article, we reviewed the best ant killers to manage your ant problem at home. Here, you will also learn to make ant baits that will truly eradicate the insects at home. Enjoy your reading!
Most ants are attached to sugar. Others are attracted to protein. That explains the reason they invade our homes, in search of food. If you sight one of them crawling on your wall, you can be sure there are others, lots of them, already in your house. You may not see them all immediately but they are there. That’s because ants are social creatures and move in colonies.
As tiny as they are, ants are some of the most dangerous insects to have around the house. According to a study “ants can transmit disease and cause allergic reactions.” That’s a very strong reason to eradicate them from the house as soon as they appear.
There are several options when it comes to killing ants.
Sprays, baits, traps, etc, and all are very effective to some extent. However, the challenge with most of them like sprays, is that they only kill the ants you see; those that are out in search of food, leaving others you don’t see behind.
The only way to wipe out the entire colony is via ant baits and traps.
Do Ant Traps And Baits Work?
Yes, they do. Ant traps and baits are truly some of the most effective ways to eliminate ants.
Some ant baits come with their stations and are mostly used indoors. Others like the granular ant baits do not come with stations.
They are best for outdoor ants elimination. It doesn’t mean you can’t use them indoors as well. But to do that, you will have to get stations or traps to use them along. That will help keep your kids and pets safe from the chemicals in the bait.
How Long Do Ant Traps Take to Work?
Most baits kill ants within 48 hours of consumption, allowing the exposed ants to carry the bait to others. A large nest may take weeks to be completely eradicated
“How do they work?” You wonder.
The answer lies below.
How Ant Baits And Traps Work: Target
Here is how ant baits and stations or traps work. To help you comprehend perfectly what I’m about to say, I will talk about the two ant killers separately below.
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Ant Baits
Ant baits are usually a mixture of various attractants and ant poison (I.e insecticide). When an ant ingests the “food”, it will take a part of it back to their colony and share. Thereby spreading the insecticide among the colony, which ultimately leads to their death.
A few species of ants are also known to eat the dead bodies of insects including other ants. This happens mostly when there is a short supply of food. Since the chemicals in ant baits work even after the ant is dead, any other ant that eats any part of the dead ones, dies also.
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Ant Traps
Ant traps work in the very same way as the baits above. The only difference is that the traps are boxes with baits inside.
They are made with many entry/exits to enable as many ants as possible to get into the box. Once inside, they are attracted to the baits and ingest it. Leaving the box, they will inform other ants of the food source through their method of communication. Apart from that, they will take a poison of the food along with them to share with others. As many that eat of it will eventually end up dead.
It is also worth mentioning that other ant traps do not come with ant-killing chemicals. They rather come with glue.
These are usually so sticky that any ant that crawls on it gets glued completely to them. If you decide to use this type at home, you must keep the trap in such a way that you, your kids, and pets do not accidentally step on it. Though if that ever happens, you can get it off quickly using oil and water.
How To Choose The Best Ant Trap And Baits: Buyers’ Guide
Getting the right ant bait or trap can be the beginning of your victory over those pets. But how do you know the right options to choose when there are so many of them out there. With each of the brands claiming to the best.
Here we have outlined the basics features to consider when it comes to choosing the right ant baits and traps to solve your ant problem.
Indoor or Outdoor Ant Control
Where are you having the ant infestations? Is it inside the house or outside of it?
Answering the above questions will help you determine the exact kind of ant traps or baits to buy. The reason is that certain types of ant killers work effectively for indoor controls. Others are more effective for outdoor usage.
For example, if you are having an ant infestation outside of your house, using granular baits will be the best way to eradicate the ants quickly. All you will have to do is to buy and sprinkle a jug of granules everywhere in your yard for effective results. Using traps there may work too. But it will take a whole lot of time.
If the infestation is indoors, the best way to stop it is not by using granules. That may work and very fast too. But it exposes your kids and pets to the risk of coming in contact with those chemicals.
So, knowing where you have the infestation is the first thing that should influence your choice of an ant bait or trap.
Customer Reviews
In choosing the right ant baits, it is important to pay attention to what other people that have used the product, are saying about it. A commonplace to see this is in different online stores. E.g. Amazon and Walmart.
You can also find real honest reviews of the ant traps by checking their social media pages. If the majority of the users are leaving positive reviews with them, chances are the product is worth buying. Too many negative reviews may just be a warning signal, to save you from wasting your money.
Price
Getting the best quality ant baits should be the goal. I agree but who says you have spent all you’ve got buying only that?
Before you choose an ant trap, ensure that the price is within your budget. Bear in mind that the price (whether high or low) is not proof that the product will be effective or not.
Sometimes, the less costly brands work better than the very costly ones.
Best Ant Traps And Baits For The Money
Are you searching for the best ant baits to buy? Here are some of the best ant traps and baits you will ever come across.
TERRO T300 Liquid Ants Baits
Highly regarded by so many people like the number 1 ants killer out there, TERRO T300 is definitely worth the money.
The liquid ant bait contains borax, a natural chemical that is highly deadly to ants. Once it is ingested, the slow-acting chemical goes to work in the digestive system of the ants. Within a couple of hours, you will start seeing lots of them die around the house.
READ: Reasons Terro Ant Bait Is Not Working For You
The formula is very effective when it comes to killing different species of ants, including carpenter ants. You can read up the customer reviews on Amazon and what people that have used it to solve their ant problems are saying about it.
Home Plus Ant Killer (4-Pack)
This ant killer is very effective for both indoor and outdoor use.
The food-based attractants can attract a whole lot of ants to it within a very short time.
You can use this to kill different species like carpenter and sugar ants around the house without having to worry about the safety of your kids and pets. This is because it comes with bait stations or traps where ants go in and out to eat the poison.
Home plus Ant killer is also affordable. This means you don’t have to spend so much money to eradicate the ants from your house. Just buy the product and place the bait stations anywhere you have noticed ants crawling.
Within a few minutes, they will be attracted to the bait within the ant trap. The more of them that eats of it, the faster the poison spreads the colony and kills them.
Advance 375a Select Granular Ant Bait
This product contains Abamectin, the active chemical that is very deadly to ants. It affects the digestive and nervous system of the ants and wipes them in less than 24 hours after ingestion.
The product can be used outdoors or indoors with a bait station. It is very effective against different species of ants. Such as Acrobat ants Argentine ants, Carpenter ants, Bigheaded ants, Pharoah ants, etc.
The slow-acting chemical Abamectin ensures that the entire colony is thoroughly wiped out.
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BASF 396153 Advance Granular Ant Bait
This ant killer works with Abamectin, which is a delayed-action insecticide. As soon as it gets into the ant’s digestive tract, it subdues its neuromuscular functionality.
Their major physical activities like laying eggs and feeding are put to a stop moments after ingestion. The ants will be semi-paralyzed, but it could take days before they die.
The ant killer is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It works on carpenter ants, bigheaded ants, acrobat ants, and pretty much any other species of ants.
All you have to do drop some of the granules around the areas where the ants are most active. Observe where they carry it to, which will likely be their nests. You can sprinkle some more granules at the destination of the carrier.
Some users have recommended you combine Advance with Maxforce, as a combination of several baits can produce more effective results.
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Maxforce Ant Bait Gel-1 (Bayer)
This is a fipronil-based bait that comes in a syringe, made especially killing carpenter ants.
These pests love sugar and moisture, and Maxforce is packed with both, ensuring that the ants will take the bait.
Similar to other liquid baits, Maxforce has to be placed where the ants are most active. Preferably close to the nest.
This ant killer can be used both indoors and outdoors. This poison works slowly, it takes about 5 days for the pest to die.
Being that carpenter ants love eating tuna, the manufacturers recommend you place some leftover tuna in their areas of activity and spread some of the ant killers on it.
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AMDRO Kills Ants Bait Stations
Each pack of this poison contains 4 stations with hydramethylnon-based baits.
They act slowly, but will surely get the job done. Being a slow-acting bait, there is an increased chance of killing most of the workers and the queen.
The manufacturer claims that it will take about two weeks for the poison to fully manifest. It is made strictly for indoor use, and it is recommended you replace it quickly when necessary.
Some users have complained that two weeks is a long time to wait for the ants to be dead, but experts have suggested that the longer it takes for the poison to work, the more the carrier can spread it around the colony.
Placing The Ant Traps And Baits: What You Should Know
Choosing the right ant bait or trap is important. But so is knowing the right place to keep it. If not properly positioned, it may take some time before the result will start showing.
You need to place the ant bait in a place where they can discover them. Since ants are known to crawl the wall often, you should place the ant trap close to it.
Another great place to keep it is any place where crumbs are normally found. For instance the kitchen, garbage can areas, and so on. Once you have noticed ants around the ant bait, do not panic.
Just leave them to eat as many of it as they want. The more they eat, the faster it will take to kill the colony.
In Conclusion
In this article, we have explained how to eradicate ants at home using specially designed ant traps and baits.
Are you having ants infestation at home? Do you want to learn how to completely wipe out their entire colony?
I am certain the insights here will be of great help to you.
Hello! My name is Oluwasegun, and I am the founder of SafeandSanitaryHomes.org.
As a young boy who grew up in the suburbs, my family had a green lawn. I actively cared for this and maintained hedges and trees.
I’ve also grown into a DIY enthusiast for cleaning tasks and home improvements. As an expert animal healthcare provider, I also discuss tips to help you combat pests.
I’m happy to share my experience and hope you find it helpful.