12 Best Ways to Kill Ants in Your Home and Yard
9/14
Exterminating insects since 1956, Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray kills ants on contact using a pair of strong chemical insecticides: imiprothrin and cypermethrin.
It’s a good option as a short-term fix for indoors. The manufacturer claims a residual effect that goes on killing for up to four weeks, but the jury is still out on that. Raid is straight-up poisonous and should be kept far away from food, children and pets. Plus, here’s how to ant-proof your hummingbird feeder.
Pros
- No chemical odor
- Apply to all surfaces
- Can use to kill a variety of insects
- Price
Cons
- Shoots a stream
- Doesn’t kill fruit flies
10/14
For a rapid way to knock down garden pests including carpenter ants, fire ants, cockroaches, spiders, boxelder bugs, etc., try TERRO Outdoor Ant Killer Spray.
Intended for outdoor use only before ants make their way into your home, it’s a great spot treatment for surfaces like foundations or garbage bins, or directly on trails and anthills. Apply it around the perimeter of your home to create a reliable barrier of protection.
Pros
- Two bottles in one set
- Easy to spray in hard to reach places
Cons
- Spray leaves a foam in the area
- Expensive
11/14
In its ground structure, the odor of cinnamon repels ants. However, in its essential oil form, it actually kills them. The effectiveness of cinnamon as an extermination method depends on several factors, such as the potency of the oil and how and where it’s delivered.
A 2014 university study found that certain concentrations of cinnamon oil killed ants. With a little trial and error, so can you.
Pros
- Comes with a dropper to apply the oil on surfaces
- Great scent
Cons
- Leaves a strong scent
- Small bottle
