The best ant traps, killers, and repellents

Many ant prevention products work using the slow and steady approach; some make an area unappealing to insects while others introduce a poison that is slow to act by design. Not so with Terro T600 Ant Dust. This powerful powder kills on contact, creating a lethal barrier across which ants can't travel. So if you already have a serious ant infestation plaguing your home, shaking out a copious dose of this deadly stuff is a great way to take control of the situation.

While safe for indoor use provided you can keep pets and people from coming into contact with it, Terro T600 Ant Dust is best used outdoors. You can apply it liberally near cracks in the foundation, around trees with carpenter ant issues, or right atop anthills from whence the little pests emerge. The powder is effectively water-resistant and won't wash away even when it rains or when sprinklers run, and in high enough concentration, it remains deadly to insects for more than half a year.

Pros: Kills on contact, remains effective for months, does not wash away with rain

Cons: Not safe for contact with kids or most pets

If you are dealing with a massive insect infestation, a can of Raid Ant & Roach Killer probably isn't going to turn the tide in favor of the humans. Likewise, this stuff is not a great way to prevent ants from entering your property for months at a time. But for quickly and completely eradicating the insects you can see right there in front of you marching across the kitchen floor or crawling up the side of the house, this spray is the go-to.

A short burst of this aerosol ant spray is all it takes to quickly kill any ant, silverfish, roach, or other small insect enveloped in the solution. It's safe for use on most materials, and you can spray the stuff inside provided you vacate the treated area until the flying particles settle and the formula dries.

Even if you use any other prevention products, it's a good idea to keep a can of this stuff on hand to take care of any of the insects that get through. This is especially true if you're trying to ward off a larger invasion, as killing the scouts can keep the rest of the colony at bay.

Pros: Kills ants quickly, creates temporary insect barrier, trusted and time-tested brand

Cons: Irritant to eyes and skin

I use several products from the Aunt Fannie's brand, and its Ant Remedy spray is a recent addition to the lineup. The brand was founded in order to create products that range from cleaners to mosquito repellents to ant infestation solutions that all share a common trait: They will not kill off the bacteria that form the microbiome within a given space.

The theory is that many of the microorganisms with which we share our homes and vehicles and workplaces (and even our bodies) are beneficial, so harsh chemicals that kill them off are to be avoided.

I'm sold on that mission in theory. What I'm sold on in practice is preventing ants from entering my home and from driving off any who get inside without putting our newborn daughter, preschool-aged son, or middle-aged cats at risk for health complications. Aunt Fannie's Ant Remedy was designed to repel ants using two primary active ingredients: cottonseed oil and clove oil. Ants hate the stuff, but kids and pets? No issues there.

If you use this spray monthly to create a border around your windows and doors and any potential points of entry in the foundation, roof, and so forth, you will see a lot fewer ants in your life, no risk to kids, animals, or beneficial bacteria buddies involved.

Pros: Safe for people and pets, mild and pleasant scent, non-staining solution

Cons: Not as lethal as other options

First, just to be clear, despite the fact that this stuff is called Spectracide Fire Ant Shield Mound Destroyer, it can be used to kill off all sorts of any colonies. It's not picky whether you're eradicating fire ants, carpenter ants, or any other species. And to cut to the chase as to why it's so effective, this affordable ant colony destroyer kills all the ants with which it comes in contact, the queen included. Also, the killing starts mere minutes after initial application.

Best used during the early morning or in the evening when most ants are down within their colony, the granules of Spectracide Fire Ant Shield Mound Destroyer can penetrate down into even larger nest complexes. And not only will it spell doom for the mound directly treated, but when applied liberally, this stuff will also prevent the development of new nests in the nearby area.

While not suitable for use in your home or for creating a barrier outside the residence, if you can find the home of your unwanted visitors, you can dramatically curtail infestation issues using this product.

Pros: Kills off entire colony, prevents development of new nests, starts working in minutes

Cons: Cannot treat indoor ant infestations

Rather than killing insects on contact, Terro Liquid Ant Bait kills slowly after giving the ants that have consumed it the chance to spread the poison around.

Terro Liquid Ant Bait comes pre-loaded into stations that you can deposit around your property in any areas insects frequent. As the bait attracts the insects, don't be alarmed if you initially see an increase in ant activity, not a decrease. Just know that every insect that cycles through one of these stations and feeds on the sweet bait becomes a ticking biological time bomb that brings poison and death back to its nest. (Really does sound sinister...)

You'll have the chemical Borax to thank for your newly ant-free home. This active ingredient is relatively safe and commonly found in laundry detergents and children's slime. Still, it's an irritant if ingested, so keep it away from kids and pets.

These little packs are great for placing under furniture or appliances or in tight spaces. That way you can irradicate your insects without it being a total eyesore. Because this is a deliberately slow-acting poison, it could take up to two weeks before you start to notice a difference.

Pros: Effective at killing off large volume of insects, safe and easy to use

Cons: Harmful if ingested

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