Hi Yield Fire Ant Control For Roaches? 102 Most Correct Answers

Fighting cockroaches can make you feel like you’re on the losing side of an all-out invasion. After all, these insects did not survive for hundreds of millions of years because they are easy to get rid of. But armed with some know-how and the right products, you can at least keep them out of your kitchen. We spoke to two cockroach experts, each with more than 40 years of experience. After combining their input with our own first hand testing, we recommend starting with some free resources and then upgrading to Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits when needed.

Also, skip the sprays. We’ve discovered roach remedies that don’t work — and some of them come with their own risks.

Bait stations can work. You may also need to switch to gels or powders. We have tips for everyone.

Roaches are stubborn, so you may need to broaden your approach to include bait gels and powders. We’ve got recommendations for these, as well as advice on things that don’t work, including kill-on-contact sprays, bombs, and smoke machines.

Our Pick Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits Best Roach Killer Terro’s traps are easier to monitor than the competition. And they stay put on vertical surfaces, so you can place them near roaches. Purchase Options $11* on Amazon *Price at time of publication was $10.

The Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits are small cartridges filled with insect bait – a mix of food and a slow-acting venom. The delayed action of the venom increases its overall potency, as it allows a roach to pass the venom to other roaches before the roach dies (and even after; if you want to go straight to the disgusting details of how this works, be our guest ). The Terro bait stations have a number of features that most roach baits lack, making them the most convenient and user-friendly option we’ve found. The top of the bait station is exposed so you can easily monitor how much bait is left and if the roaches are entering at all. The Terro stations are also one of the few that come with adhesive strips so they can be mounted to a vertical surface. This allows you to place the bait station near roaches. Gels are also effective, but the trapped terro station has far less potential to get messy or be accidentally consumed by a pet or child.

advertisement

If the Terro Bait Stations aren’t available, we also like the Advion 68663 Cockroach Bait Arena. These share the same great features as the Terro stations: a clear top (for monitoring) and the adhesive strips (allow for versatile placement). With the Advion lures, the plastic top is heavily tinted so it is not as easy to see the inside. Advion is a brand that caters to pest professionals, so these baits are not that easy to find in brick-and-mortar stores. They’re also sold in bulk – the smallest bag available contains 12 baits (Terro stations come in packs of six). So you can end up with a huge surplus.

If you’ve been trying bait for a few weeks with little success, experts recommend that you switch to a powder or gel and we’d start with Combat Max Roach Killing Gel. Each powder or gel gives you more uses per purchase and more versatile placement options. But powders and gels are messier than bait stations and less safe from interference from pets and children. (Combat’s specific Material Safety Data Sheet (PDF) lists mild potential reactions from skin or eye contact.) The active ingredients here are no better than those in the Terro or Advion baits, but a simple product switch can help resolve your infestation. The main advantage of the gel over a bait (or powder) is that it is flexible as to where you can place it. Cockroaches like to live in small cracks and crevices. So applying the gel there in a thin bead is a type of targeted approach often chosen by pest controllers.

The Terro T530 Roach Bait Powder is another option. And while it’s not quite as neat as a bait station and isn’t able to stick to a vertical surface, it’s effective if you can attach it right where roaches live. This powder bait comes in a pump dispenser with a 2 inch long applicator, and each pump dispenses less than 1/16th of a teaspoon of bait powder. The applicator nozzle is very precise and is good for getting into hard-to-reach places, e.g. B. under the fridge. Other powders we’ve tried come in larger squeeze bottles and are much more difficult to portion out in small amounts. One thing we really appreciated in testing is that a powder doesn’t get totally sticky if you accidentally poke or rub your hand in it. The Terro Bait Powder is also a very economical choice if you are dealing with a larger infestation or if you may be dealing with roaches long term. Each small canister contains around 150 bait applications, allowing you to bait in many different spots, increasing your chances of success.

Free Shipping on all orders over $35!

Features 5 ways to get rid of cockroaches in your home By Guardian Nigeria If there is one common household pest that we all hate it is cockroaches as they are one of the most difficult to get rid of. Their reproductive ability makes it difficult to completely rid yourself of them as it is like chopping off a head, two more will take its place. Cockroaches pose serious…

If there’s one common household pest we all hate, it’s cockroaches, as they’re one of the hardest to get rid of. Their reproductive ability makes it difficult to completely rid yourself of them as it is like chopping off a head, two more will take its place.

Cockroaches pose serious health risks to families as they transmit a large number of diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, poliomyelitis and gastroenteritis to name a few.

In addition, cockroach feces can cause eczema and allergic reactions in some people. They contaminate every substance they come in contact with, so for the sake of your family, read the top tips below to combat these pests.

Clean, clean and more clean

Most household pests feed on dirt and therefore you need to make sure your house is kept to a high gloss as cockroaches are attracted to food debris, especially grease. A 15-minute cleanse at the end of each night is enough to get rid of most residue.

Seal cracks and holes

Sealing cracks, baseboards, and other entry points that roaches use to gain entry will help get rid of roaches, especially if you live in an apartment and have neighbors who don’t maintain the same standards of cleanliness as you do. You can use a tube of caulk and a caulking gun to get the job done. Also, this will prevent cockroaches from entering your home.

Fix all water leaks

The reason roaches scurry around under the sink is that they are attracted to moisture and water. Some roaches can survive months without food but only days without water, so shut down their water sources by fixing even the smallest leak. Don’t leave water in your sink or bucket, store food in sealed containers or in sealed plastic bags, and remove leftover food from under refrigerators or stoves.

Make your own natural cockroach bait

Mix three parts boric acid with one part powdered sugar. The sugar attracts the roaches while the boric acid kills them. While boric acid isn’t toxic to humans or pets, it can be an irritant, so keep it off counters and places small fingers and noses can get to. Spray under and behind the refrigerator, range and dishwasher, under the sink and in crevices along the edges of cabinets and other crevices that can hide them.

Bring in the experts

If you have a large infestation of roaches on your hand, you may want to call in a professional exterminator.

Cockroach Facts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to enable websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

So. You have cockroaches. In a way, you are in control. And even if you kill them, it feels like a game of beating a mole.

Before we throw our hands up or worry about the cost of a professional exterminator, let’s look at another option: roach traps.

In the short guide below, you’ll learn about some of the best cockroach traps you can buy, as well as some that you can easily make for free. You’ll also learn how they work, along with some key pros and cons.

Ready? Let’s go!

Three types of traps: sticky traps, poison bait traps, and mechanical traps

Since these are cunning creatures that deal a lot of damage, it should come as no surprise to learn that a variety of traps have been devised over the years to deal with them. All traps use some type of glue, poison, body-damaging powder, or mechanical methods to do their job, and each focuses on one of three outcomes, or a combination of these:

Kill cockroaches one at a time.

Go to the colony.

Providing information about cockroach populations that can later feed into a “big gun” strategy.

We’ll start with the simplest cockroach trap – sticky traps.

Sticky traps for cockroaches

Sticky roach traps may seem a little primitive, but when used properly, they’re one of the smartest pest control purchases you can make.

They are good for reducing low level infestations and catching the odd straggler, they will not wipe out a colony on their own. Instead, they complement more aggressive strategies well. Tucked away in a kitchen cupboard or under your fridge, a sticky roach trap becomes a sentinel of sorts — quietly and ruthlessly killing roaches one at a time, possibly for years.

But to see where sticky cockroach traps really shine, you’ll have to give them a whirl when monitoring.

With only half a dozen, they will not only show you how bad your roach problem is, but also where to focus your efforts.

Sticky cockroach traps are foolproof to use, cheap for what they do, and provided you don’t buy anything weird, pesticide-free. The only downsides are occasionally getting glue on your hands and the chance of catching other creepy crawlies (like mice) that you might not have intended.

Here are some sticky traps worth noting:

1. Exterminator’s Choice Sticky Insect Traps

Using an all-natural, pheromone-free roach bait, Exterminator’s Choice glue traps are as easy as roach glue traps. They’re relatively inexpensive, durable, and designed for creatures the size of a roach, not every small critter (like mice) that happens to come across them.

Fold them along the creases and just leave these bait boxes where you’ve seen roaches — behind appliances, along walls, and under furniture.

Pros Cons Designed for insects Better for surveillance than aggressive roach control Highly effective natural bait Bait application will be confusing for some big ones. Reliable. Environmentally friendly materials The large size makes these more expensive in bulk

2. Victor Roach Pheromone Trap

A variation on the basic roach sticky trap design, the Victor Roach Pheromone Trap features entry points on the sides and top. Like the Exterminator’s Choice trap, it is designed for insects, not other types of pests. But unlike Exterminator’s Choice, it uses a roach-attracting pheromone to attract the roaches.

Pros Cons Designed for insects, easy to set up Smaller size, may catch fewer roaches Attractive bulk pricing Bulk packaging may not suit everyone Effective pheromone bait

3. Black Flag Roach Motel

The Black Flag Roach Motel adds a little sparkle to the Roach Sticky Trap design. With this famous cockroach motel, the cockroaches will be lured deep inside where, once caught, you’ll never have to see them again.

Pros Cons Super simple and clean More expensive than standard sticky traps Big size can catch more roaches Bigger openings also catch unintended creatures

4. A homemade cockroach trap with tape and bait

This simple homemade roach sticky trap seems way too easy to make, but don’t count them out until you see them in action.

To make a duct tape cockroach trap, turn a piece of duct tape over and place a dollop of peanut butter in the center. Cockroaches come for the bait and stay because they stick to the tape. For best results, mount your homemade cockroach tether on a wall or in a closet.

Pros Cons Dirt cheap Catches roaches, but not as effectively Handy and you may have some on hand Takes extra time and effort Unattractive and sticks to anything that moves

Bait traps for poisonous cockroaches

Poison roach bait traps are extremely effective tools for killing roaches. Unlike roach sticky traps, which target roaches one at a time, roach decoy traps have active ingredients that slowly poison the roaches that eat them and then spread to and poison the colony itself.

5. Advion cockroach gel bait

Advion is an effective, highly regarded gel bait popular with homeowners and professional exterminators alike. Formulated with its own pheromone bait, it’s easy to use and so potent that a handful of well-placed drops can often eradicate a small or self-contained infestation (read more about Advion cockroach gel baits here).

Advion is usually only dropped in problem areas, but you can also create a trap-like bait station with minimal mess. Just put a single drop in a large matchbox and you’re good to go until it dries in a couple of weeks. After that, just apply it again.

Pros Cons Extremely attractive bait Short-term results difficult to measure Potent insecticide can spread to multiple roaches Doesn’t work when roaches find other food sources Can also be used as part of your ongoing defense Drops must be spread to cover all target areas to be successful

6. Fight bait station to kill cockroaches

If you want to avoid dropping gel bait around your home (because of pets or curious kids), opt for Combat Roach Bait Stations. Like cockroach motels, these self-contained traps leave nothing open.

Cockroaches will crawl in, eat the bait, and leave again… until the poison later kills them. There is no mess and no risk of children getting their hands on the chemicals.

Pros Cons Child and pet safe More expensive than applicator gel bait Can kill many roaches before the bait is gone Roaches may be reluctant to enter the traps

7. Natural Cockroach Trap: Boric Acid and Peanut Butter

You can put together an effective do-it-yourself cockroach trap without relying on dangerous pesticides. Boric acid is a natural compound that is deadly to any roach that eats it.

With just a little peanut butter and a pinch of boric acid powder, you’ve created a simple roach killer that’s kid-safe, pet-safe, and easy to use. Drip the miracle mixture into bottle caps and place them where cockroaches like to roam.

Check out the full roach-free recipe: Boric Acid and Peanut Butter Bait for Roaches

Pros Cons Good for your wallet Difficult to measure success in the first 1-2 weeks Safe for humans and pets Don’t fight larger roach infestations alone

8. CimeXa Insecticide Dust Trap

This is another easy homemade bait trap.

Place a dollop of peanut butter, a piece of banana peel, or a similarly sweet bait in the center of a paper plate. Then sprinkle CimeXa insecticide dust around the bait on the plate. Carefully place the plate where cockroaches can easily reach it.

Hungry roaches will crawl across the CimeXa to eat the bait, ingesting the insecticide dust and later eating it as they preen.

Check out the full roach-free recipe: How to Kill Roaches with Insecticidal Dust

Pros Cons Very little CimeXa required per application Delayed kill making early progress difficult to measure Safe for humans and pets Requires many applications

9. Harris Boric Acid Roach Tablets

Harris Roach Tablets bring boric acid traps into easy-to-use tablet form. Place these pill-sized tablets anywhere roaches bother you—in storage rooms, kitchen cabinets, and even wall cavities.

After roaches feed on them, they scurry back to their lair where, if you’re lucky, they transfer the boric acid to other roaches. These tablets are an excellent complement to other sticky or mechanical traps.

Pros Cons Durable if kept dry Should not be used around pets or small children Easy to conceal but strong against roaches Must be placed in areas where roaches are active

10. Roach Cookies: Natural do-it-yourself roach trap

Another boric acid recipe for killing roaches, this one comes in the form of “cookies” – circles of dough that are used to attract roaches with sugar and flour and kill them with the insecticide. It only takes 20 minutes to assemble these roach-killing treats and hide them wherever the bugs are active.

Get the complete roach-free recipe: Roach Cookies: An easy, natural recipe to kill roaches

Pros Cons Inexpensive, simple, natural ingredients Larger infestations require additional treatments “Cookies” can be left out for several weeks Can lead to avoidance if placed too close together

11. Hot Shot Liquid Bait Traps for Cockroaches

Instead of food-scented sticky pads or powdered bait, Hot Shot Liquid Roach Baits contain – you guessed it – liquid insecticide. Cockroaches need a lot of water to survive and liquid baits use this fact to make themselves even more attractive to these pests.

Alternate liquid bait stations with other baits to keep the roaches from starting to avoid the traps.

Pros Cons Attracts roaches with bait and water Tends not to last as long as other traps Looks better than other traps Wear eye protection: Users report that some liquid spurts out when opened

Mechanical cockroach traps

Mechanical traps require a bit more ingenuity, either from the manufacturer making them or from you if you are making one yourself. These devices can pay dividends by catching roaches without chemicals or possibly messy glues — and in the case of homemade roach traps, with just a few inexpensive household ingredients.

12. Glass and Vaseline DIY Roach Trap

Glass traps rely on strong baits and slippery sides to lure roaches into the jar and prevent them from climbing out. With smelly bait at the bottom and sides coated in petroleum jelly, this homemade roach trap can catch dozens of roaches—and it’s reusable!

Tip: Use a narrow-necked jar as a safe trap for pets who can’t squeeze their curious snouts through the opening!

Pros Cons Cheap and easy Requires daily drain and reset Can catch multiple roaches Can be difficult to attract roaches into the jar

13. A homemade cockroach trap with a beer bottle and oil

Save your last sip of beer (or wine) and use it to catch roaches! Research has shown that the smell of beer and wine attracts these bugs as much as food scraps. Once roaches venture inside, the tall bottle, coated inside with slippery oil, will trap roaches forever.

Pros Cons Prep involves enjoying your favorite beer or wine. Results will vary when using large bottles; Roaches might be hesitant Can catch multiple bugs You probably can’t empty it to catch more roaches

14. 2 liter soda bottle trap

Maybe you prefer soda to beer – that’s perfect, because a 2 liter soda bottle can turn into an awesome homemade roach trap!

Cut off the cap of the bottle just where it rounds out to its full width. Rub petroleum jelly into the top half of the bottle (and the neck of the bottle). Then put some bait on the bottom of the bottle, slide the top part upside down into the bottom part and wait for cockroaches to climb in after the bait.

Pros Cons Space for lots of roaches to climb Some assembly required Inexpensive (and potentially fun) project for kids to help with roaches Roaches may be reluctant to climb large bottles

15. Electric cockroach trap

Electric cockroach traps, like these from ZoarC, are relatively new and “high-tech” entries into the pest control market. They work like sticky traps, attracting and trapping cockroaches with bait. However, electric traps zaps the bugs with electricity to kill them.

This is largely unnecessary (they’re trapped anyway), but welcome if the sight of squirming roaches is giving you nightmares!

Advantages Disadvantages Can catch and kill many cockroaches You still have to empty the trap to reuse it Uses little electricity Electrical devices can break at any time

Choose and use the best cockroach traps for your needs

Cockroach traps do a few jobs really well and one job better than any other tool.

The Best Cockroach Traps for Monitoring and Controlling Low Level Infestations: Exterminator’s Choice Sticky Traps

Exterminator’s Choice traps are roach attractive, very sticky, and large enough to monitor even larger infestations. As with other roach sticky traps, you don’t want to rely on this to eliminate a significant roach problem, but rather to keep roach populations down and complement other, more aggressive methods (see below).

The best cockroach traps for wiping out a colony: Advion cockroach gel

While better-advertised consumer products like roach motels are often good enough to get the job done, the best baited roach traps come from the world of professional pest control. With Advion cockroach gel you get a professional bait that you can use to build a trap or use outside of one. Either way, it’s very effective and hits your cockroach problem right at the source.

Conclusion

Roach traps are often the easiest ways to start eliminating roaches. They are great for identifying and monitoring an infestation and will also kill many roaches.

The examples on this list will help you get started on catching quickly so you can start eliminating roaches for good.

You can do it!

frequently asked Questions

Do cockroach traps work as well as other methods? Cockroach traps work exceptionally well for certain things. They’re great for keeping small numbers of roaches at bay, especially when combined with other tactics. And nothing works better than roach traps to assess and monitor a potential or full infestation. Are Cockroach Traps Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Roach traps — which you buy at the store anyway — are unlikely to poison your cat or dog. Sticky traps do not use poison, and baited traps contain them in such small amounts that, at worst, your pet could experience a gastrointestinal upset. Apart from that, any homemade cockroach trap can cause great harm if you put poison in it and let your pet inside. What are the best dog or cat proof cockroach traps? Even if roach traps can be considered pet-friendly roach killers, an animal could get a sticky trap stuck to its fur, or your dog could gobble up an entire trap.

It is best to assume that there are no completely pet-safe roach traps and keep the ones you use out of your pet’s reach. Do ant traps work on cockroaches? They do, but not quite as well. Most ant traps use the same pesticides that kill roaches – imidacloprid, fipronil, and hydramethylnon, but ant traps don’t use the same roach-attracting scents and pheromones that help make roaches so effective.

Sources

Fire Ant Control with Acephate (8 oz)

Systemic insecticide to control fire ants.

Treat the mound only once per season. For best results, apply this product early in the morning or late in the afternoon when ants are most active.

Spread 1 to 2 teaspoons evenly over the fire anthill.

Don’t disturb the hill.

Brand Hi-Yield Cases Per Pallet 64 Size 8 oz UPC Number 7-32221-33033-7 Application Lawn, Trees/Shrubs, Garden/Plants Organic No Type Granular Product number 33033

Product use and description Audio

Like other creepy crawlies, fire ants can wreak havoc in your yard and find their way into your home. But unlike just annoying insects, fire ants are dangerous. Their painful bites can cause welts or even life-threatening allergic reactions.

Fortunately, there are many products on the market designed to eliminate these pests from your entire property, inside and out. Some of these insecticides are designed to wipe out the entire colony by infecting worker ants, which then carry the toxins back to the mound, killing the queen and eliminating the threat. Some are suitable for indoor use, while others are best suited for treating outdoor anthills or even entire gardens.

With so many pesticides on the market, it can be difficult to decide which is the safest and most effective for your situation. It’s especially important to understand how they work and where they should be used, since many of these products contain chemicals that can harm people and kill pets. Read on to find the best fire ant killer for your property and find out why the following products are some of the most effective.

Types of fire ant killers

Fire ant killers come in a variety of forms including granular baits, powders/dusts, sprays, gels and indoor baits. Each species takes a different approach to dealing with the fire ant population plaguing your property. Choosing the right type is crucial in your efforts to rid your property of fire ants.

bait grains

Granulated baits come in a container that allows you to apply the pesticide directly to the lawn or anthill. They rely on the social aspect of ants to wipe out entire colonies. Worker ants find the granules and bring them back to the nest where the colony consumes them. Once the queen and larvae are poisoned, the whole colony dies.

Some granules are designed to control the fire ant population over a large area. Using a drop spreader allows you to spread the granules throughout the garden, killing existing colonies while preventing new colonies from settling in the garden.

While granules don’t offer the instant gratification of sprays or gels, they are effective at removing entire colonies. And because they can withstand wet conditions, they’re a great option for outdoor use.

dusts

Similar to granules, dusts and powders come in containers that allow the user to sprinkle them directly onto a colony. Dusts usually work in conjunction with water: sprinkle the dust over and around the colony, then lightly water the area to allow the pesticide to seep into the soil, infiltrating and killing all ants in the colony in about a day.

spray

An ant spray may come in an aerosol can or bottle. When released, it kills on contact. It’s a good option for indoor use or if you’re looking for a quick option to kill large numbers of ants. Keep in mind that a spray may not be effective in killing the queen, who generally does not appear outside the nest.

gels

Gels come in small tubes that resemble medical syringes. This packaging allows the user to strategically place the poison on cracks and holes that ants use to gain entry into the home. Because they allow for a precise attack on ants, they are a good option for indoor use.

indoor bait

Indoor baits consist of an insecticide mixed with a substance, typically sugar-based, that attracts ants. The baits are usually locked in a small container. Ants enter the container, collect the bait, and then return to the colony, where the bait infects other ants. Bait usually kills with a time delay, giving the worker ants time to return to the colony and disperse the venom before it expires.

What to consider when choosing the best fire ant killer

The type of pesticide, the safety, and the time it takes for the product to eliminate these insects are the most important factors to consider when purchasing a fire ant killer.

Type of fire ant killer

Choosing the right fire ant killer for the area being treated is crucial. Granules, dusts, and powders work well for individual anthills on the outside of your home, while sprays, baits, and gels work well indoors. Pesticides designed for use with case spreaders are the best option for whole yard treatment. If you have pets or small children, only use a fire ant killer that is non-toxic to animals and humans.

security concerns

Insecticides are dangerous and can make people sick and kill animals. It is crucial that you choose a product that is best suited for your household. With that in mind, those with pets should look for pesticides that are pet-friendly.

reaction time

Pesticides take different amounts of time to become effective. While some products kill fire ants on contact, others can take hours or days to start killing, and it can take up to two weeks to wipe out a colony. Contact killers provide instant gratification, but products that act with a delay attract worker ants, which then carry the venom back to the colony and queen, eradicating all infestations. Be sure to read and follow the product’s directions to know how long to wait for results.

Our top picks

Although they use different active ingredients and strategies to attack fire ants, the following pesticides are some of the most effective and come from some of the most recognized names in pest control.

Best Overall 1 Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer Photo: amazon.com Check Latest Price Those with recurring fire ant problems may want to keep a supply of pesticide on hand to nip new colonies in the bud before they spread. Thanks to its ability to treat up to 162 mounds with a single 12-ounce bottle, this Ortho Fire Ant Killer is one of the most affordable ways to tackle your fire ant problems. An advantage of this product is a convenient design that makes it safe and easy to use. As with other dust-based products, simply apply the dust to the entire mound and then let the ants go in and out of the colony, pursuing the venom inside with them. This product uses acephate which kills the ants and their queen within a few days. Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer is safe for outdoor use only. Benefits One bottle for multiple uses

Easy to use

Reduced odor Cons Only suitable for outdoor use

Best Bait 2 Amdro 100099307 Amdro 100099307 Block Perimeter Ant Bait Granules Photo: amazon.com Check Current Price Create a protective barrier against ants around your home with this Amdro bait. Because of their ability to kill the queen, baits are among the most effective means of destroying an entire ant colony. As with other bait products, Amdro attracts worker ants, which carry the granules back to the colony where the queen becomes infected, killing the entire colony in two weeks. Amdro, which uses the pesticide hydramethylnon, takes several days to kill an ant after eating it. This gives the worker ants enough time to bring the poison food back to the queen. Amdro can be applied around the entire home to create a protective barrier that lasts up to three months. The bait comes in a 12 ounce bottle (enough to cover 540 linear feet) and is applied by scattering it around the house in a 1 foot wide strip. Pros Affordable

Aim for the queen

Covers a large area. Cons May require continued use to be effective

Best Gel 3 Syngenta Advion Ant Gel 4 tubes 30 grams Photo: amazon.com Check current price Serious ant infestations require an industrial-strength pesticide – like indoxacarb, the active ingredient in Advions Ant Gel. This product comes in four 1-ounce tubes, but don’t let the small quantity fool you: the gel is highly potent, and a small amount goes a long way. Not only is Advion powerful, but it also has a small, targeted applicator that you can use to treat small crevices in the home that ants commonly enter. Worker ants consume the gel and carry it back to their colonies on their bodies, poisoning other ants and eliminating the colony in about two weeks. Benefits Industrial strength formula

Small amounts go a long way

Works on several species of ants Cons Gel can crystallize in dry environment

Best for Lawns 4 Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules Photo: amazon.com Check Current Price Fire ants can pop up in your yard anytime, anywhere. To prevent this, you should treat the entire garden with this scatter granulate from Ortho. An 11.5 pound bag treats up to 5,000 square feet and prevents fire ants from establishing a colony on your property. This product works with a standard drop or broadcast spreader, allowing you to distribute evenly and quickly. This product works as part of a two-step system with Ortho’s Orthene. Apply Orthene first to kill the entire mound in minutes. Then apply the granules, which contain bifenthrin, a pesticide that can stay in the soil for a long time. The scattered granules prevent new mounds from accumulating for up to six months. Benefits Protects up to 6 months

Treats a large area

Fast-acting Cons Requires a second product for best results

Strong smell

Best Pet-Safe 5 Orange Guard 101 Home Pest Control Photo: amazon.com Check Latest Price If you have pets, most pesticides are simply not an option for use inside or outside your home. This Orange Guard pet-safe pesticide is a great option for those with pets and young children. This product uses a natural orange peel extract to kill ants on contact while deterring newcomers from visiting your garden. The extract is safe for humans but deadly for ants by dissolving the coating around their exoskeletons; It kills on contact and repels potential invaders for several weeks. Spray on any hard surface; it leaves no residue and unlike pesticides which have a distinct chemical odor, Orange Guard leaves a refreshing citrus scent. This product can be used indoors or outdoors as a perimeter spray to repel pests. Pros Kills ants instantly

natural ingredients

Pleasant citrus scent

Can be used indoors and outdoors Cons Expensive

May require continued use

Our verdict

For an odorless fire ant killer that is simple and effective to use, see Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer. For buyers looking for a way to prevent reinfestation in the future, invest in Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules, which can be sprinkled outdoors and provide long-lasting protection.

How We Selected The Best Fire Ant Killers

In our search for the top picks in the fire ant killer category, we found a number of products that meet the various needs that shoppers are typically looking for when trying to get rid of these nasty pests. These products include dust and granular options, which require patience as the ants must ingest the chemicals and bring them back to the hive to be effective, and there are some solutions that can kill any ant that comes in contact with them instantly. Our recommendation list offers several of these options to choose from, all from reputable brands known for their proven effectiveness.

In addition to these stronger – and potentially harmful – chemical solutions, we’ve also been careful to offer buyers an option that’s safe to use around children or pets, and we’ve included indoor and outdoor products in our top picks recorded .

frequently asked Questions

If you still have questions about how an ant killer works or if it’s safe for your family, read on for answers to some of the most common questions.

Q. How does Fire Ant Killer work?

Fire ant killers kill the ants either instantly or over a period of hours or days. For baits, once the ants consume or are covered with the bait, the active ingredient affects their digestive system, killing them over time. Pesticides that take longer to kill allow the worker ants to transport the poison back to the colony and queen. Sprays that kill ants immediately attack the insect’s nervous system.

Q. How to use Fire Ant Killer?

Outdoor fire ant killer is applied by sprinkling pesticide granules over the fire ant hill and in a 3 foot diameter around it. Ant Killer should be applied when the lawn is damp to allow the granules to penetrate the mound and surrounding soil. If the soil is dry, the area should be lightly watered after application. Broadcast Ant Killer is distributed using a standard drip dispenser, while interior sprays are applied to gaps and cracks that ants use to enter the home.

Q. Are fire ant killers safe around vegetables and pets?

Most fire ant killers are poisonous to animals and humans, so they are not safe around vegetables or pets. There are some eco-friendly pesticides that are safe for pets and humans.

Why trust Bob Vila

Bob Vila has been America’s handyman since 1979. As the host of popular and groundbreaking television series, including This Old House and Bob Vila’s Home Again, he popularized and became synonymous with DIY home improvement.

Throughout his decade-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair and live better every day – a tradition that continues today in the expert yet accessible home consultation at the heart of BobVila.com. Today, the Bob Vila editorial team consolidates key information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, Tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts thoroughly research, review, and then recommend products to help homeowners, renters, handymen, and professionals with their to-do lists.

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in DIY, landscaping and design. He has a degree in Journalism and a Masters of Arts in English and spent ten years writing for various local newspapers and business publications before becoming an English teacher. Mr. Carrick now works as a freelance writer from his home in North Carolina. When he’s not frantically typing on his laptop or working on his latest home improvement project, he enjoys spending time with his family and biking through the beautiful North Carolina countryside.

Fire Ants Top Rated Fire Ant Killers Best Fire Ant Killers of 2022

Best Fire Ant Killers of 2022 We understand that choosing a fire ant killer can be overwhelming—especially if you have children or pets at risk of fire ant bites and stings. The options available through online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores can seem endless. You need to be confident that the product you are purchasing can get the job done without adding to the fire ant season. Fire ant killers fall into two main categories: contact killers and fire ant decoys. Both types can be very effective, so personal preference plays a certain role. As the names suggest, contact killers kill fire ants by contact after ants have touched the killer and spread it across the mound. Bait works by attracting fire ants, which mistake the bait for food. They return it to other ants and their queen, which ultimately kills the whole colony. Whether you choose contact killers or bait killers, killing the queen is essential to success. Once you get over the main differences between fire ant baits and contact killers, there are many other factors that come into play when choosing the best fire ant killer for you. Some of the considerations that we value highly include effectiveness in killing the entire colony, how quickly the product works, how long the protection lasts, ease of use, the quality of the label instructions and pet and safety precautions Children. Profitability and brand reputation also play a role. To make your choice a little easier, we’ve looked at leading fire ant killers to see how they fare. With the above criteria in mind, we present the best fire ant killers of 2022: Best Over’n Out!® Advanced Fire Ant Killers Overall Buy from AmazonBuy from Home DepotBuy from WalmartBuy from Lowe’s READ THE FULL REVIEW:

Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer is a fast-acting, dual-purpose fire ant treatment you can count on to kill the queen and the mounds—and protect you from fire ants for up to six months.

Our top picks

BEST OVERALL: Over’n Out!® Advanced Fire Ant Killer

Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer won our first place overall based on several points: it kills the mound in just 15 minutes, kills the queen within 24 hours, and a single application protects against fire ants for up to six months. Those promises are hard to beat. These ready-to-use granules are also super easy to apply, can be used for mound and ray treatments, and we feel comfortable using them in areas where pets and children play.

What we like: Ready-to-use, clean granules.

The fast-acting formula targets the entire colony.

One application provides control for six months. What we don’t like: No label instructions for pets and re-entry times.

Must be watered in after application.

Bag not resealable.

“When I first received the product, I currently had no fire ants. However, I knew they would come. Once they showed up this product worked like a charm, at the first sign of a hill I applied the product as instructed. In no time they were gone! It was such a relief because not only am I having a terrible reaction, but we have a dog and several children running around our yard. I’m glad it only took a little of the product to get the effect so we’ll be ready when they return.” Over’n Out! Consumer review submitted as part of a free sample program.

Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer is a fast-acting, dual-purpose fire ant treatment you can count on to kill the queen and the mounds—and protect you from fire ants for up to six months.

BEST BAIT: Amdro® fire ant bait

READ FULL REVIEW: Amdro Fire Ant Bait

We are fans of Amdro Fire Ant Bait for several reasons: We often see its active ingredient mentioned in add-on publications as one of the most effective fire ant killers you can use. We also appreciate that this one bait product is suitable for mounds, yard treatments, house perimeters and spot treatments. Having a single product for all of our fire ant needs is a huge plus in our book. The sturdy shake-or-pour container makes our picks for the best baits of 2022 even easier.

What we like: Sturdy, easy-to-store container.

Dual purpose mound or broadcast treatment.

Aim at the queen to eliminate the entire colony.

No soaking after application. What we don’t like: No label instructions for reentry times.

It takes about a week to kill the queen.

“I’ve tried everything under the sun to kill those fire ants. I’ve even bought cans and cans of fire ant spray for the home. But this Amdro is the only thing I found to kill her and it will wipe out the whole colony. It will take a few days for them to die out, but it really works.” Amdro Consumer Review

Amdro Fire Ant Bait is a convenient, easy-to-use fire ant bait that you can turn to for all your fire ant needs, from killing fire ant queens to destroying entire fire ant colonies.

BEST CONTACT KILLER: Over’n Out!® Advanced Fire Ant Killer

Even if Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer wasn’t our best pick for 2022 – which it is – we would still pick this product as our best contact killer for the year. We like how easy these granules are to use, whether sprinkling mounds or spreading the granules out with a lawn spreader. We also appreciate the effectiveness and speed of this product: it fights fire anthills in just 15 minutes and kills the queen within a day. Add six months of continuous protection – from a single application – and it’s a winning combination.

What we like: Ready-to-use, clean granules.

The fast-acting formula targets the entire colony.

One application provides control for six months. What we don’t like: No label instructions for pets and re-entry times.

Must be watered in after application.

Bag not resealable.

“I can’t tell you how many different brands of ant killer we’ve used since we bought our house last December. With two young children who love to play outside it really ruined a lot for us. don’t come back My kids can finally play outside and my husband can do yard work without getting torn up!!” Over ‘n Out! Consumer review submitted as part of a free sample program.

From comfort and effectiveness to residual protection and speed, Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer delivers everything you need for a contact fire ant killer – guaranteed.

BEST GARDEN TREATMENT: Amdro® kills fire ant garden treatment baits

READ FULL REVIEW: Amdro® kills baits for treating fire ants

Many fire ant experts recommend full garden treatments as part of optimal fire ant control. When we look at products specifically designed to treat your entire yard, Amdro Kills Fire Ants Yard Treatment Bait comes first. This product kills all mounds in your garden – including those still hidden in your grass or soil – and specifically targets the queen so the entire colony dies. We also like the ease of no soaking required, and the zippered shaker pouch wins additional points.

What we like: Resealable, zippered shaker pouch.

Kill visible and hidden hills.

Provides season-long control.

No soaking after application. What we don’t like: No label instructions for reentry times.

No time frame for how fast it works.

“This fire ant treatment works well, and the easy dispenser pouch made it easy to apply. Not long after applying I began to see the mounds becoming dormant with no further activity around them. I would recommend this product to anyone trying to get rid of their ant problem so they can continue enjoying their garden! I’ll definitely use it again if I have to!” Amdro customer review submitted as part of a free sample program

When you want a complete treatment for your yard, you can trust Amdro Kills Fire Ants Yard Treatment Bait to treat visible and hidden fire ant hills, killing queens and colonies and preventing new hills from forming.

BEST MOUND KILLER: Over’n Out!® Advanced Fire Ant Killer Mound Eliminator

When fire anthills appear, we want a mound killer that kills the queen quickly, goes off easily, and makes life easier later on. Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer Mound Eliminator does all of these things and more. This easy-to-use granular contact killer works in minutes to kill existing fire anthills and put an end to the queen within a day. It also kills new fire ants for up to six months. When we add it all up, this product wins our top mound killer spot.

What we like: Resealable, recyclable pouch.

Kill the mound and the queen quickly.

Protects up to six months.

Refund warranty. What we don’t like: No label instructions for pets and re-entry times.

Must be watered in after application.

“I was not aware of this product before purchasing it, but I am very impressed with the results. I live in Texas and fire ants are a big problem so it’s a battle I always fight. This product is easy to use, odorless and has a closure that is convenient to store. Other products I’ve used in the past have been like a powder but this one is granules so it’s easier to apply. It penetrates the mounds well after applying water. The results were quick and the ants were gone within an hour. It’s been seven days and the mounds treated have not shifted, so mission accomplished. I will be repurchasing this product and have already recommended it to several neighbors.” Over’n Out! Consumer Rating

Over’n Out! Advanced Fire Ant Killer Mound Eliminator is a fast-acting contact killer guaranteed to kill your fire ants in 15 minutes, kill queens within 24 hours, and protect your family and pets from fire ants for up to six months.

BEST VALUE: Ortho® Orthene® Fire Ant Killer 1st

With all the factors that can contribute to the overall value of a fire ant killer, it was difficult to pick just one winner for this title. But when we went through our criteria and calculated Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer 1, this contact-killing powder came out on top. At first glance, the product seemed expensive, but a little goes a long way: you can treat individual mounds for about 7 cents each, and this product is guaranteed to kill the queen and destroy the mound.

What we like: Sturdy, recyclable container.

Kill the queen and destroy the mound.

Must not be watered.

Built-in seal opener. What we don’t like: Dry powder drifts off easily.

Very strong smell.

Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer 1 is a handy outdoor mound treatment that kills fire ants quickly on contact, destroys the mound and queen, requires no watering, and offers excellent value per mound.

BEST PRIZE: Spectracide® Fire Ant Shield™ Mound Destroyer™ Granules

When it comes to price alone, Spectracide Fire Ant Shield Mound Destroyer Granules have the lowest cost per pouch of any fire ant killer we’ve tested for 2022. But keeping the initial investment as low as possible is not our only consideration. Even cheap products are expensive if they don’t work. In addition to the low price, this product kills the queen and colony quickly. There is also a money-back guarantee. The way we see it, you can’t lose with it.

What we like: Resealable pouch.

Deep, accelerated formula.

Kill the queen and the colony.

Refund warranty. What we don’t like: Unpleasant smell.

Must be watered.

Spectracide Fire Ant Shield Mound Destroyer Granules is a fast-acting, outdoor fire ant hill treatment that goes deep to kill the queen and colony at a significantly lower cost than competing products.

Final Thoughts

That sums up our top picks for the best fire ant killers of 2022. For more insight into controlling fire ants effectively, visit our resources on how to identify fire ants, compare fire ant killers, and protect your home. We will be updating our reviews and our picks of the best fire ant killers over the next year, so be sure and visit us often.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. However, the author was paid by the owner of this site, Central Garden & Pet Company.

Enter the characters you see below

Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. For best results please make sure your browser accepts cookies.

Free Shipping on all orders over $35!

Ej from Memphis, Tn writes

Answers:

Martin’s Surrender Fire Ant Killer is for direct mound treatment of fire ants only and should not be mixed with water or used for any other application.

Answer last updated on: 07/25/2016

Kalisa from Virginia Beach Va writes

Answers:

Yes, Martin’s Surrender Fire Ant Killer is safe for pets when used as directed. For best results, apply this product early in the morning or late in the afternoon when ants are most active. In areas that are not cultivated, e.g. B. field borders, fence lines, roadsides, ditch banks, etc., use 2 teaspoons per mound. When using Surrender to treat residential, recreational and/or commercial lawns, use 1-2 teaspoons per mound. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Answer last updated on: 08/26/2014