>Dealing with ant invasions in your home can be frustrating. These tiny pests find their way inside through the smallest cracks, leaving trails across countertops, floors, and walls. Fortunately, the best ant traps can effectively eliminate these unwanted visitors and prevent them from returning. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll review the top 5 best ant traps on the market that will help you reclaim your space from pesky ant trails and destroy colonies at their source.
Quick Picks: Best Ant Traps
Editor’s Choice
People’s Choice
Professional Grade
Why You Need the Best Ant Traps for Effective Pest Control
Ants are among the most problematic insects for homeowners worldwide. These tiny pests can invade areas where children play, with some species like fire ants posing significant safety hazards. Ant colonies are extremely difficult to eliminate without proper ant baits, as they can quickly rebuild their numbers from a well-protected queen.
An effective ant trap works by attracting worker ants with a food-based bait that contains a slow-acting insecticide. The workers carry this bait back to their colony, sharing it with other ants including the queen, ultimately eliminating the entire colony. This approach is far more effective than simply killing the visible ants with sprays or other contact killers.
| Product | Type | Location | Active Ingredient |
|---|---|---|---|
| TERRO Liquid Ant Baits | Liquid Bait (Tray) | Indoor/Outdoor | 5.4% Borax |
| TERRO Outdoor Ant Bait Stakes | Bait Stakes | Outdoor | 5.4% Borax |
| Syngenta Advion Ant Gel | Gel | Indoor/Outdoor | 0.05% Indoxacarb |
| HomePlus Ant Killer | Bait Station | Indoor/Outdoor | Not Specified |
| Raid Ant Bait Gel | Gel | Indoor/Outdoor | Not Specified |
Top 5 Best Ant Traps Reviewed
After extensive research and testing, we’ve identified the top 5 ant traps that deliver exceptional results for eliminating ant infestations. Each product has unique strengths that make it suitable for different situations and ant species.
1. TERRO Liquid Ant Baits – Best Universal Ant Trap For Families With Children and Pets
TERRO Liquid Ant Baits
Editor's ChoiceHow Does It Work
How to Use
- Remove other food sources like crumbs and grease spots.
- Hold the bait station with the tab facing up, then break off the tab.
- Place stations label-side up on flat surfaces near ant trails or entry points.
- Use all stations to ensure sufficient bait supply for the ants.
- Monitor regularly but don't disturb the stations while ants are feeding.
- Replace when depleted or every 3 months for prevention.
- Non-toxic formula is safe to use around pets and children
- Pre-filled and ready to use without preparation
- Effective against multiple ant species
- Contained design prevents mess and accidental contact
- Easy to set up and monitor
- Bait may occasionally seep out in small amounts
- May require more than one package for large infestations
- Liquid bait can spill if knocked over
2. TERRO Outdoor Ant Bait Stakes – Best Outdoor Solution For Long-Term Control
TERRO Outdoor Ant Bait Stakes
People's ChoiceHow Does It Work
How to Use
- Place stakes in soil near ant colonies or trails.
- Press the pointed end into the ground until secure.
- Position stakes around your home's perimeter to create a protective barrier.
- Monitor bait levels through the transparent windows.
- Replace when empty or as needed for continuous protection.
- Fast and easy to deploy around your property
- Long-lasting formula provides protection for months
- Transparent window shows when bait needs replacing
- Ridged design prevents stakes from being pushed over
- Creates a protective barrier around your home
- Bait may leak when first opened
- Only effective against ants, not other outdoor pests
- May require gloves during setup to avoid skin contact
3. Syngenta Advion Ant Gel – Best Professional-Grade Solution For Indoor and Outdoor Use
Syngenta Advion Ant Gel
Professional GradeHow Does It Work
How to Use
- Unscrew the blue tip and replace with the long application tip.
- Apply gel as small spots (1/4 inch diameter) or thin lines (1/8 inch wide, 2-3 inches long).
- Place near active ant trails without disrupting ant behavior.
- Apply in cracks, crevices, and other areas where ants are active.
- Clean the application tip after use to prevent drying.
- Minimal odor when fresh
- Sugar-based formula is highly attractive to ants
- Precise application allows targeting of hard-to-reach areas
- Can eliminate entire colonies within days
- Professional-strength formula works on various ant species
- May develop unpleasant odor as it approaches expiration
- Can be messy to clean up
- Gel consistency may become more watery near the end of the tube
4. HomePlus Ant Killer – Best Solution For Small Homes and Apartments
HomePlus Ant Killer
Best for Small Spaces
How Does It Work
How to Use
- Place bait stations near visible ant trails or entry points.
- For best results, clean area of food debris and crumbs first.
- Position stations against walls or in corners where ants are most active.
- Allow 24-48 hours to see initial results.
- Replace as needed when bait is consumed.
- Fast-acting formula shows results within 24 hours
- Child-resistant housing for added safety
- No eye or nose irritation from the bait
- Compact design ideal for smaller spaces
- May need to try multiple locations before finding optimal placement
- Limited effectiveness against certain ant species
- Two canisters may not be sufficient for larger infestations
5. Raid Ant Bait Gel – Best Solution For Walls and Hard-to-Reach Areas
Raid Ant Bait Gel
Best for Vertical Surfaces
How Does It Work
How to Use
- Apply small amounts of gel along ant trails and entry points.
- Place gel in cracks, crevices, and corners where ants are active.
- For vertical surfaces, apply small dots of gel that won't drip.
- Reapply monthly or as needed for continuous protection.
- Clean up old applications before reapplying to prevent buildup.
- Remains effective for up to one month
- Thick consistency adheres to walls and ceilings without dripping
- Easy application with minimal force required
- Odorless formula, even close to expiration
- May liquefy over time, especially in warm conditions
- Requires more regular cleanup than enclosed bait stations
- Not effective against Fire ants, Pharaoh ants, or Harvester ants
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Ant Traps
Selecting the right ant trap for your specific situation requires consideration of several factors. This buyer’s guide will help you make an informed decision based on your needs and the nature of your ant problem.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Considerations
Indoor Traps
Typically designed to be safe around food preparation areas and often come in child-resistant containers.
Outdoor Traps
Need to withstand weather conditions and are often sturdier, with stakes or weatherproof casings.
Dual-Purpose Traps
Can be used in both environments but may not be optimized for either specific location.
Before purchasing, identify where your ant problem originates. Are there ant mounds in your yard? Do they trail along your porch or through door frames? Understanding the entry points and traffic patterns will help you place traps effectively.
Bait Consistency and Application
| Type | Advantages | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Baits | Highly attractive to most ant species and work quickly | General indoor use, sweet-loving ants |
| Gel Baits | Stick to vertical surfaces, precise application | Cracks, crevices, walls, baseboards |
| Solid/Granular | Less messy, weather-resistant | Outdoor use, perimeter protection |
| Bait Stations | Contained, safer around children and pets | Homes with children/pets, indoor corners |
For hard-to-reach areas or vertical surfaces, consider gel formulations that adhere well without dripping. For general use, especially in homes with children or pets, enclosed bait stations offer a safer option.
Safety Around Pets and Children
Safety First
- Choose products with child-resistant containers whenever possible.
- Place traps in areas inaccessible to children and pets.
- Consider the active ingredients—borax-based baits are generally considered less toxic than some other options.
- Follow all manufacturer safety guidelines and keep the packaging for reference.
Even with “non-toxic” claims, it’s best practice to keep all insecticides out of reach of children and pets. The contained design of many modern ant traps significantly reduces risk, but caution is still warranted.
Coverage Area and Quantity
Strategic placement increases effectiveness: place traps along ant trails, near entry points, and close to visible ant activity. For outdoor use, position traps near ant mounds when possible, as this increases the likelihood of the poison reaching the queen.
Odor and Mess Factors
Common Issues to Consider
- Products near their expiration date may develop stronger odors.
- Some active ingredients naturally have distinctive smells that attract ants but might be unpleasant to humans.
- Gel and liquid baits can create mess if disturbed or when removing used applications.
If you’re sensitive to odors, look for products specifically marketed as low-odor or odorless. Enclosed bait stations typically contain any potential mess and minimize odor release.
Prevention: Stop Ant Infestations Before They Start
Ant Prevention Strategies
While ant traps are effective for eliminating existing problems, the best approach is to prevent ants from entering your home in the first place.
Clean Regularly
Wipe down counters, clean spills immediately, and sweep floors daily. Store food in airtight containers and take out trash regularly to eliminate food sources that attract ants.
Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home’s exterior for cracks and crevices. Seal gaps around windows, doors, and utility entrances with caulk. Repair damaged weather stripping and door sweeps.
Maintain Your Yard
Trim trees and shrubs away from your home’s exterior to eliminate “bridges” ants use to access your home. Keep mulch at least 6 inches from your foundation.
Create a natural ant deterrent by mixing equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this solution to wipe down countertops, windowsills, and other surfaces where ants travel. The acidic scent disrupts ant pheromone trails and discourages new ants from entering.
Implementing these preventative measures alongside strategic ant trap placement creates a comprehensive approach to ant control. By addressing both existing infestations and preventing future ones, you can maintain an ant-free home year-round.
Conclusion: The Best Ant Traps for Different Needs
The best ant traps provide effective, long-lasting solutions to ant infestations by targeting the entire colony. Our top recommendation, TERRO Liquid Ant Baits, offers the perfect combination of effectiveness, safety, and ease of use for most households. However, the “best” ant trap for your specific situation depends on your unique needs and the nature of your ant problem.
TERRO Liquid Ant Baits
- Pre-filled containers
- Borax-based formula
- Effective against most common ants
- Easy setup and monitoring
TERRO Outdoor Bait Stakes
- Weather-resistant design
- Creates perimeter defense
- Transparent monitoring window
- Long-lasting protection
Syngenta Advion Ant Gel
- Precise application
- Advanced Indoxacarb formula
- Works on stubborn infestations
- Ideal for targeted treatments
Remember that effective ant control often requires a combination of approaches: eliminating food sources, sealing entry points, and strategic bait placement. With the right products and techniques, you can successfully eliminate ant infestations and keep these persistent pests from returning to your home.
Still struggling with persistent ant problems? For severe or recurring infestations, consider consulting a professional pest control service. Experts can identify the specific ant species, locate hidden colonies, and implement a customized treatment plan that addresses your unique situation. Professional-grade treatments can provide longer-lasting results, especially for difficult species like carpenter ants or fire ants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the best ant traps effective compared to sprays?
The best ant traps work differently than sprays because they use a slow-acting poison combined with an attractive bait. This allows worker ants to carry the poison back to the colony, eliminating the entire population including the queen. Sprays only kill the ants you can see (about 10% of the colony), while quality ant traps address the source of the infestation for complete elimination.
How long does it take for ant traps to work?
You should begin seeing results within 24-48 hours as worker ants start dying off. However, complete elimination of the colony, including the queen, may take 1-2 weeks. Patience is important—increased ant activity around new bait stations is actually a sign the product is working, as more ants are being attracted to the bait.
How often should I replace ant traps?
For active infestations, bait stations should be replaced every 3-4 weeks or when empty. For preventive maintenance, replace every 3 months. Gel baits may need more frequent reapplication, especially in high-traffic ant areas or if the gel dries out.
Why are ants ignoring my bait traps?
Ants may ignore baits if: there are more attractive food sources nearby (clean your kitchen!), the bait has dried out or expired, you’ve placed the traps in areas treated with repellent insecticides, or the specific ant species isn’t attracted to the bait formula. Try different bait types or locations if your current approach isn’t working.
Are ant traps safe around pets and children?
Most modern ant traps are designed with safety in mind, using contained bait stations or child-resistant packaging. However, no insecticide should be considered completely safe. Always place baits out of reach of children and pets, and follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. If accidental exposure occurs, contact poison control immediately.
What’s the difference between ant traps and ant killers?
Ant traps (or baits) contain attractants that lure ants to consume a slow-acting poison they carry back to the colony, eliminating the entire population including the queen. Ant killers typically refer to contact insecticides that kill ants immediately on exposure but don’t address the source. Traps are generally more effective for long-term control.
For all those with pets that have pets’food bowls/dishes, get a pie plate larger than the pets dish. (Ants can be attracted to pet foods!) Pour water into the large pie plate, maybe with some sugar for attracting the buggers. Place pets biwl/dish into the center of pie plate. Ants, expecially, can’t swim. They want to get to the pet food, crawl into the water dish & drown. It doesn’t get rid of Queen but it keeps ants out of pet food!
We just had these uninvited guests decide to invade right after a deluge of rain here in Pasadena, so I realize the reason for their desperation, but am getting frustrated as the traps are failing to discourage them! I’m hoping they will happily exit when it gets a bit dryer outside!
When trying to get rid of pest you should always! Just call an exterminator or pest control JK, but with ants you can use fresh garlic and black pepper.
I don’t know. I just found my Terro traps FULL of fire ants in my child’s bathroom. I freaked out and went and bought Bengal roach and ant dry spray. I sprayed the wall where they had expanded too, the crack I saw they were coming from (which was completely covered with ants) and the Terri traps that were full of ants. Bad idea because ants went flying everywhere and now I have a hell of a mess to clean up ( counter top included)!! Any ideas for decontamination of the bathroom and killing these bastards? I also have the tiny almost clear ones in the bathroom and kitchen. The Terro traps seem to be working in there, but I am seeing stragglers as well as fire ants for the past week!
I used Terro when I first saw ants in the kitchen cabinet. (they looked like Carpenter ants) Lots of ants came, ate, & went back to their nest. It was great, they all disappeared almost over night so I figured they’d done their job. But a few days later, stragglers started appearing randomly here and there, but not on a definite trail. I put out Terro again, now they ignore it completely. I tried other baits as well, but they check it out and just go around. The ants don’t seem to be reappearing in their previous numbers or set location. It’ll just be a single one, completely random, maybe 5 or 6 a day. If Terro doesn’t work, what will?
I have ants also and I’m so tired of them, in my kitchen ,living room even upstairs!!! and ant hills in the yard, How would I get rid of the ant hills in the yard???
Ants in fridge now! Have been storing many things in the fridge to prevent ants getting to them. Now they are into biltong, cold meats honey and other containers in the fridge. They also get into sealed containers of sugar and breakfast cereals. Tried sprays, traps, borax, diatomaceous earth, vinegar etc. My kitchen has never been cleaner. We even come across hoards of ants attacking newly dropped gecko poop. Any advice?
I live in the Palm Springs area. For years starting around the first part of July the ants take over the house. Tiny ones and bigger black ants and even ants with wings. They like to come up through the floor. I have pets. So I have to be very careful. I have been using Terro spray. So as we all know ants are attracted to water so when you water outside the ants come inside. This is a process that lasts about 2 months. I feel for anyone with ants. I even have scars from them.
LOTS OF OPINION ABOUT HOW TO GET RID OF YOUR ANTS. MAY I SUGGEST, RAID ANT GEL. I “HAD” A BAD ANT PROBLEM DURING OUR RAINY SEASON. AN EXTERMINATOR SUGGESTED I PUT A LINE OF THE GEL ACROSS THE PATH OF THE ANTS. GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING AND FOUND -0- ANTS IN THE OFFICE AREA. USED THE GEL TWICE SINCE. WORKS GREAT. WHY IS IT NOT PUBLISHED THAT THIS STUFF WORKS SO WELL?
Where can I buy this ?? I am in Albuquerque, NM so would need thename of a chain store,like ACE, Walmart etc. thanks .. Have tried Raid, peppermint oil with water and cinnamon, bleach with water, vinegar and water . Cannot fond Borax here. .. . I am now constantly imagining all the ants 🙁 LOL …
I have a question, in my medicine cabinet I noticed that the little black sugar ants go after flavored liquid medicines, like fever reducers, has anyone else had this problem and just wondering will it kill them? I do use bait, but this year seems to be the worse!!!!!
We have tried the terro bait and the ortho bait but it’s not working. The ants are over taking our storage shed. Any suggestions?
Try to see from the baits you initially put down where the ants are going to, they usually form somewhat a trail/line. Then move bait closer to that area of entry and add more baits along trail. I was surprised to find out trail led straight to a wall where there was tiny crack at base they were coming in/out of. Idea is to get them closer at entry point so they don’t get all spread out in house and also along trail to get as much as possible. Put more bait down as you think necessary. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Thx for website! Tried terro and it worked like magic! Put 2 traps out and Was skeptic at first when ants didn’t come to it, by evening tons came, much more than realized We had!! We watched them make line, going back and forth. Next day, only 2 stragglers left.
My advice would be to put traps down immediately when you realize a problem before they invade so much space it will take longer and maybe more methods to get rid of them. Thnx again!
We tried the Terro kind before and it seemed to help however when we saw ants coming back. We tried terro again. The is time the ants were going into the trap, instead of dying in the trap, they seemed to pull out the gelled/liquid mixture on the floor. I’ve also used Skin So Soft from Avon in the past around areas I saw them coming in and it helped for a while. But peppermint oil sounds like a good idea. I’ve also heard of lavender buds doing the trick. Not sure has anyone heard of it working?
First year with black ants
Bought traps. I do not feel they are working
Help any suggestions
We had ants really really bad last year and we mixed one cup of peanut butter with two table spoons of boric acid. Then poked holes in plastic easter eggs put holes on one side and the mixture on the other side tgen closed the eggs and threw some under the house and in places our pets couldnt get to. We had no more ant problems after about a week.
mix boric acid with sugar can also be dissolved in water, easiest way to kill ants, ants bodies break up after eating the sugar boric acid mix also effective with termites
My mom says the ants I have are “Water Ants”, so I will try the Terro liquid ant bait killer. But I think they’re “Black Ants”, and they crawl all over me. I hate it all I do is kill ants with a knife, but they come back every springtime, and I need to kill its queen, so they stop coming back.
Any ideas on how to poison the queen would be very helpful.
IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME BUT IN ADDITION TO TRAPS AND SUCH, I HAVE PURCHASED EDIBLE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FROM AMAZON. THE EDIBLE KIND IS SAFE FOR PETS, BABIES, AND PREGNANT WOMEN. I HAVE PUT IT UNDER MY FRIDGE AND STOVE AND ALONG EDGES. IT TAKES SOME TIME BUT IT SHOULD HELP. IT’S VERY GOOD FOR ROACHES AND OTHER BUGS BECAUSE WHEN THEY WALK THROUGH IT, IT STICKS TO THEM AND IT WILL CAUSE THEM TO BECOME DESICCATED (DRY UP) AND DIE. I PUT A LOT OUTSIDE MY FRONT DOOR WHERE I HAD STINK BUGS, AND IT HELPED. ONLY IF USING OUTSIDE AND IT GETS WET, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE IT.
You know ants have an immune system, too…
I’ve tried the types of poison listed above, but it doesn’t really work.
Has anyone tried a solution of peppermint oil that you can make into a spray to block to scent trail so no other ants know to invade the area?
I just sprayed some today after the gel bait the exterminator put down was being ignored by the ants. I hope it deters them from coming back tonight!
Have teeny tiny ants in my kitchen and have not had luck with ant traps. What else can I do?
Thanks for all the great advice. Now here is a question? Are the plug in bug and insect units that are on the market good for getting rid of ants etc
also.
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Can Ant poison kill Mice? One of my pet mice go out and I believed ate the ant trap.
We have tons of black ants into a motel i just moved in too. I have put traps from where they usually comes but I wanna know if this stuff really works because I can’t even sleep right knowing they might be on me or on my bed but they are literally driving me crazy!!
We just got ants in our town house and have the traps, the ants are taking to the traps but now we seem to have more ants, all in a line going to the trap and back out. Is this good? Do you usually have an influx of ants when you bring the trap in? Also once they aren’t in the house anymore, is it safe to spay outside?
I think the original scouts that bring back the bait to the ant colony attract additional scouts, which is good.
Oh my gosh my ants are just as bad and ours don’t stay in lines to find out what they ate after, they just kind of wander around EVERYWHERE. Especially bad in the carpet where u won’t know they are there until I get on my hands and knees. Tiny little black ones in everyroom. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!
Mike,
Like I suggested to Harry, I think the Terro traps work great to kill off the nest and queen and to help control any further infestations. You can’t completely get rid of pests unless you nuke the whole block you are living on. The best you can do is control them.
As for the flying ants (any pests with wings), these are future queen ants or pests, I believe. They leave the nest by flight to start their own colony somewhere else. Just killing off the ones flying around is only temporary because you still have the ant colony around. You have to kill off the immediate ant colony in or around your residence. Anything, whether it’s ‘Terro’, ‘Raid’, or any product where the pests can take the bait back to the nest and destroy the entire colony works best. Be patient and give the traps a chance to work. Just killing the ones you see won’t help-They’ll beee Baaack!
I don’t have same of Ang’s freaking off to the queen, but rather one here, 6 there. Can’t figure out where they’re coming from. And they seem to be mostly small. Any suggestions?
I have a problem with carpenter ants and garden ants. The garden ants have all but ravaged my plants, eaten the he’ll out of all my plants. Going to try the traps and the borax mix….I am wondering how long I should wait and expect results that will hopefully , be long lasting and thorough?
I just moved into a mobile home in a park community and there are little black ants all over in the yard is covered with ant hills and the home is full of ants in the walls in every room. Now there are flying ones now to getting into everything and crawling everywhere. I am tired of flicking them off me and my children all the time its driving me nuts. How can i get rid of them quickly and safely?
Hi Lily, I can help with the flying ants. We have them too, and they are so annoying. Since I have no idea where they are coming in from, it’s hard to stop them. But you can kill ants by setting out a bowl of dish soapy water and turning on a desk lamp right above or next to the bowl. They just hop right in and drown. We’ve done this a few times through the years, and they are gone in a week. I hope it works for you. 🙂
I have two different worries with Ants, first I have a small Maltese dog who seems to pick up an odd ant on her coat, which are very tiny and hard to see, then sits with me in the chair and I end up with bites all over, any one know of any thing I can do to keep the ants off of my little dog.
Second I now find I have very tiny ants in my cupboard I have no idea how they got there also on my counter, I have got traps in the cupboard and on the counter but I never see the ants go any where near the traps, please any ideas.
Have you tried peppermint oil. You can apply some (1-2 drops) to the dog’s leash. Also you can make a solution of water and peppermint oil to spray the affected areas. It masks the scent trail so the the other ants can’t find the scouts. Peppermint oil on cotton balls near the point of entry helps to deter further infestations.
We are trying the traps by raid but I’m wondering if we are supposed to let the ants keep walling around to the traps or kill them. It seems to be drawing them into the house which seems counterintuitive.
When I read the directions, it looks like the traps are already “open” and you just divide them and place them where the ants are. No further activation in necessary?
When you put out ant traps, the ants will carry it back to the nest and then they bring all their nestmates back to your bait. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. You’ll see lots of ants but don’t kill them. Let the little buggers take the bait back to the nest so the bait can kill the whole nest. In a few days, they’ll be gone. At this point, I squish any surviving stragglers.
Also, you can try diatomaceous earth (food grade) — this is actually what environmentally friendly exterminators swear by. The powder gets in between the exoskeleton of insects (of any kind) and makes it not stay attached, killing them. It’s safe for humans, cats, and dogs to eat though, so no need to worry about putting it somewhere out of the way. Simply sprinkle / dust it everywhere you’ve seen evidence of insects (ants, roaches, etc).
It won’t help with mice though. I’d suggest glue traps for them, which are pretty horrid, but definitely do the trick.
Try making some sugar-y kool-aid and putting a half cup of Borax in it. Then take it outside your house near where you have the problem and paint it on the wall. The ants will be attracted to the sugar, and the Borax will kill them. Also, they’ll eat all the colored residue from the kool-aid liquid away, letting you know when/if it’s necessary to re-paint.
Hey ANTKILLER thats a really good idea! Im going to try that.
I have a great way to keeping any type of bug out of my house. I use the brand “Bengal” and it’s called “Gold Roach Spray” I can only find this spray at ACE Hardware. Anyway, it’s a dry spray (no residue, no liquid) and it’s safe for pets and children. I have two cats, so that was my main concern. I spray the borders of all my doors and windows and any bug that enters the house dies before they can come in 3 ft. I only use the spray every 6 months, so it’s effective for a long period of time. There have been nights where I come home to find a line of ants dead by the door, which could have been an ant infestation had I not sprayed.
Now I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of the ants that are invading my garden-it’s hard to weed when ants come out and start attacking. I think I’m going to try the traps and hope it kills off the queen.
Reading these comments tells me I am SCREWED! Why? I am a single person who owns 8 parrots.Parrots are VERY wasteful and drop a lot of food.A portion of it is dehydrated fruit.I do not have the hours or energy to constantly clean up each day from my peckerheads mess.
I also have a mice problem ( NO SHIT) thanks to me being a parrot lover. I hope that if I buy enough ant traps, I will curb the problem. I do realize it would be impossible to irradicate all trace of ants but if these traps cut it down by 75% I’ll be kind of satisfied.Mice are easier to deal with,but have more potential health risks.ANYHOW,F.U. to anyone who suggestsme to get rid of my parrots.Until you have one for awhile……shut up !
Harry Hathaway-Levittown,Pa.
Hi Harry,
I love pets too. Yours happens to be the feathered kind.
Anyway, I have tried and swear by the Terro bait traps. I use them to get rid of nests near my house and to help control any further ant infestation of the little buggers. Hope this helps.
I also have several parrots. I live in florida and ants are a nuisance. I keep raid ant baits under their cages about 4 inches from the back wheels but against the walls. They do a great job. I do vacuum the floor near the cages 2X per day. Takes about five minutes each time. The baits work really well. I change the baits every three months whether i see ants or not.
When it rains heavily i see ants. The baits do the job!
Ants really hate parrot stew, fried parrot & parrot dick ice cream.
Harry, I think you might have a problem. I know you love your parrots very much, but I don’t think one person can give eight parrots the freedom and life that they need. Maybe the best thing for your parrots would be for them to go to an animal sanctuary.
I agree. I used to be a parrot owner but after a while, I didn’t like to be the type to trap a creature meant for flying great distances and roaming it’s world freely, just to keep it confined and waiting to amuse me my whole life, then get stuck with someone else after I die and be forced to start over trying to make a new companionship. Plus, if you only knew the market for these birds, you might as well be supporting African trophy hunting and black market trading.
Try pouring tea tree oil all around where you see the ants, but do it at night because the odor is very strong. It should only take one or two applications. Apparently the little ants don’t like the smell and they promptly disappear. Good luck and all respect to your love of parrots.
I put raid ant bait out and two of them disappeared overnight. Have no idea what took them and where they went.
The problem you may have is that mice or moles are stealing the traps. We had this problem in my home and are trying to find something that will kill ants, without attracting the mice.
Just put the ant traps on the trigger of a mouse trap.
A really ticked off queen ant? 😀
Sorry, that just caught me as funny. Seriously, though, these bugs are driving me nuts. I rent a room in a shared suite, and my room is adjacent to the kitchen. So far, all I’ve seen is that the ants really like the baits, but it hasn’t slowed them down.
You have to find the queen ant… patience is required. Lol. Watch where the ants are going and you more than likely to find the queen. Once she’s dead the ants scatter.
We are having ant problems as well….first it was the black ants around the old fireplace in the one room. The landlord took care of those and havent seen any since. We have been here for 5 yrs now but the problem we are having now is the pharoh ants…we have been treated twice already and worked for a bit but now they are back …what else can be done its been sprayed dry powder solution and a gel mixture all been placed where we see the ants ….I have bought containers to keep some of my food in as these ants like to get into the food…even on my table with the bread they get into so have to store everything in the fridge for now till we get this taken care of…I hate these little bugs they bother me and when Im cooking or going to eat something I have to check it before I put it in my mouth …how are we suppose to live like that??? Please if anyone has any suggestions as to how to get rid of these ants let me know…I cant relax until I know they are gone!!!! thank you in advance I would appreciate any help I can get 🙁
How can I get rid of house ants what solution can I use the same as chocoraches with sugar and bakeing soda will it work for ants pls help
Tips for those who have pharaoh ants (ants attracted to sweets and protein) non-repellant traps work best. The worker ants need something to bring back to the nest. Sprays and repellents only cause the ant colony to split up and relocate, causing further ant infestations.
I have ants like I have never seen before and I have lived here for 20 years. We sprayed all over the outside of the house. I tried the terro,, raid and spray. I sprayed all over with vinigar and water and woke up this morning to a pile of ants all over the bathroom sink. These things are driving me crazy. What else can I do.
We’re having the same problem here in southern california – more specifically a suburb of Laguna Beach. I’m going insane. I’ve been doing the borax/sugar at home, terro traps, and pesticide, and sealing the cracks. It’s controlled about 90% of the problem until we noticed a few ants in a new location. We set out terro traps and this morning there are swarms of them. Even though I’ve had experience with this just a couple weeks ago, I am consumed and become ‘obsessed’ at watching what they’re doing and WHERE they’re going. The ones that concern me are the ones that veer off track… The traps we set out 2 weeks ago, the ants STAYED within a perimeter of the traps; however, this new trap, I’ve noticed a few veering off course. I DO NOT want them “searching” in other areas. Anyways, I really am sighing as I’m writing this because these ants are exhausting. I’ve created a border with pesticide/spray to prevent the ants from traveling too far away from the bait, but I’m here at work now and have NO idea what these VEER-OFF-TRACK Ants are doing. I am certain the ones feeding on the bait and taking it back are doing their job; however, the ones that have veered off are the ones that concern me. HELP.
Dietomaceous Earth
I finally found a bait the ants fell for! 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 2 tablespoon sugar, 1.5 teaspoons borax and 1 teaspoon water. Mix and watch them carry it away and die! It’s amazing
Does this work for tiny baby ants..
hi; how did you put this bate?
These tips were very helpful. I have a rather large ant infestation that seems to be hitting on both sweet and protein, so I will be setting out both types of bait traps or more likely using the Terro ant baits all over the house.
One big concern is that I have seen the ant population boom all over my neighborhood. Some of my neighbors have resorted to spraying, which I found to be not effective. Will I be doing this whole process again in a month? Thank you so much for this page! I did not know what I do now that baits are the only way to effectively deal with these pests.