When the ants come marching two by two across your kitchen floor, you have a big problem. That's when we pull out the tried-and-true best ant baits.
Most baits are a mix of food and slow-acting poison that works specifically on ants, stopping them dead in their tracks. Literally. Worker ants take the poison back to the colony to share, and before you know it, you're free of ants.
What kind of ant bait do you need? It all depends on what area of your home or property you need to treat. It's also worth noting that those with small children or pets will want to choose a different product than pet-free/child-free homes. Read on to learn more about the best ant baits on the market today.
TERRO liquid ant baits
Twelve ant baits to the rescue
TERRO liquid ant baits are for inside the house, and they work on all common ants.
Pros:
- Works on all common ants
- Bait is in a childproof container
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Must be placed near an ant trail
The last thing you need to do when you have a pest problem is to spend time mixing chemicals. TERRO liquid ant baits are small containers with a snap-off tab that are ready to use from the get-go. Remove the tab, place the bait container on the floor near an ant trail, and that's it. Ants are drawn to the bait and carry it back to their hive, eliminating indoor ants and those that have yet to make it inside.
There are 12 bait stations included with this kit, which is more than enough to treat the average house. Each bait trap is pre-filled and ready to use. Simple!
Amdro Ant Block ant bait
Protect your property
Sprinkle Amdro Ant Block ant bait around the perimeter of your property, and you'll keep ants outside where they belong.
Pros:
- Kills ants before they get inside
- Works on 25 ant species
- Creates a barrier of protection
Cons:
- Not pet or child-friendly
Ants are easier to handle when they're outside, long before they find a way inside your living space. If you have a colony of ants on your property, this is one of the best ant baits for your situation. Just shake the Amdro Ant Block solution around the perimeter of your property to creating an invisible barrier that prevents ants from getting inside. There's enough bait in the container to cover 1,080 feet, and it lasts for up to three months. This style of ant bait is for outdoor use only and is a cost-effective way to keep ants outside.
Combat MAX indoor and outdoor ant killing gel
Gets in nooks and crannies inside and out
Because ants are tiny, they're good at disappearing into hard-to-reach areas. Combat MAX works inside and out, getting in spaces where ants like to hide.
Pros:
- No mess
- Easy to apply
- Gets in hard-to-reach areas
Cons:
- Only a five-day supply
The syringe-style applicator of Combat Max allows you to apply the ant-killing gel in hard-to-reach areas. And it leaves behind no mess. With a high water content, ants feed faster with this ant solution, giving you visible results overnight. Squeeze the product directly from the applicator into cracks, crevices, doorways, or other problem areas and say goodbye to ants for good.
Raid ant baits
Set it and forget it
With Raid, you use an adhesive pad to attach the ant baits anywhere you're having an issue.
Pros:
- Set the bait trap and forget it
- Trap is contained
- Kills the colony
- Adhesive backing
- Pet and childproof
Cons:
- Doesn't attract all species of ants
If you have kids or pets, Raid ant baits are your best bet. These are small traps with an adhesive backing that you can stick to the inside of cupboards, in corners or crevices, or between garbage cans. Children and animals can't get in, but ants can. This four-count ant bait set continues killing ants for up to three months, wiping out the entire colony. If you want to set it and forget it, this is the best ant bait around.
Maggie's Farm ant bait stations
A natural solution for inside
There's no need to douse your home in smelly, toxic chemicals. Maggie's Farm uses borax to bait and kill problem ants.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- No odor
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Doesn't attract all types of ants
Sometimes the best solution is also the simplest. Maggie's Farm ant baits contain mostly borax, a time-honored ant killer that your grandparents probably put to use ages ago. These plastic ant stations wrap around a hard gel. Neither the solution nor ants will ever spill out. It's clean, easy to use, and pocketbook-friendly. If you prefer natural treatments over harsh chemicals, you've found the best ant bait for you.
Bottom line
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Ant baits today come in all shapes and sizes. Some do best outside, while others take care of ants that have already found their way into your house.
If you see an anthill on your property, but there are no creepy-crawly things yet indoors, one of the best ant bait for you is Amdro Ant Block. You sprinkle the mixture around your house, giving you and your family a barrier of protection that prevents ants from getting inside.
If you already have ants scuttling across your counters or kitchen floors, put TERRO ant baits to work. This is a no-mess solution that isn't any more difficult than placing plastic containers in troubled areas.