- LAST UPDATED: November 3, 2023
The good thing is that you can eliminate ants in your yard using ant killers. Lucky for you, I have compiled this in-depth buyer’s guide to help you purchase the best outdoor ant killer product.
Top 3 Best Outdoor Ant Killer Products in 2024 Comparison Table:
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our #1 Rated | Concentrated Indoor/Outdoor Insecticide
| Check Price |
People's Choice  | Spectracide Acre Plus Triazicide Insect Killer Granules
| Check Price |
 | Maxforce Complete Granular Insect Bait
| Check Price |
Top 5 Best Outdoor Ant Killer Products on the Market Reviewed
Since the market has a wide range of ant killer products, it can be hard for you to select the best.
After much research, some products stand out more than others. And the winner is Compare-N-Save Concentrated Indoor/Outdoor Insecticide.
1. Compare-N-Save Concentrated Indoor/Outdoor Insecticide – Best Ant Control Termiticide for Your Yard
According to Living History Farm, insecticides work by opening up the sodium ion channels in the nerve cells or neurons of insects, making them fire up spontaneously.
This later causes the insect to go into spasms and then die.
How Does It Work?
Compare-N-Save ant control product works the same way, as its major active ingredient is Bifenthrin 7.9%, which is an insecticide that kills ants by targeting their peripheral and central nervous system. One simple application of this product in your lawn can get rid of all kinds of insects in your outdoor space for up to 3 months.
In addition to this, just one bottle of this ant killer spray will be enough to treat over 44,000 square feet.
How to Use
Applying Compare-N-Save ant killer spray is quite easy as all you are required to do is apply it around the affected area in your yard, garage, or basement. Afterward, people and pets can continue using the treated area as long as the product is well watered in and dry.
- Gets rid of all insects in your outdoors for up to 3 months.
- Easy to apply.
- Not ideal for use in fire gardens.
2. Spectracide Triazicide – Best Ant Killer Granules for Lawns
Looking for a way to get rid of ants living on your lawn? Apart from ants, Spectracide Triazicide targets all insects that could be living on your lawn such as ticks, crickets, spiders, and fleas. It also provides positive results when you are dealing with a large ant infestation on your lawn.
How Does Spectracide Triazicide Work?
Spectracide kills on contact by targeting the peripheral and central nervous system of ants. One pack of this product should be able to treat a large area of over 44,000 square feet.
You just need to apply around the foundation of your home during an ant infestation and you will be good to go.
One major benefit of this product is that people and pets can continue using the space as far as the product is properly watered in and dry. For the best possible experience, consider applying Spectracide to flowers, ornamentals, and most importantly, the whole lawn area.
How to Use
Spectracide Triazicide is probably the easiest to use ant killer. All you have to do is get the granules from the pack and distribute them around the area that you would like to treat.
- Very easy for outdoor use.
- People and pets can use the treated area as long as Spectracide is watered in.
- Kills most ant species.
- It is not recommended for use in vegetable gardens.
- It barely works for getting rid of fire ants.
3. Maxforce Complete – Best Ant Killer and Bait
Maxforce Complete Granular Insect Bait provides you with months of protection against all kinds of ants and other insects such as carpenter ants, fire ants, fleas, spiders, and ticks. Therefore, if you are in search of a product that is going to eliminate every kind of insect from your home, then Maxforce Complete is an option that you should consider.
The active ingredient in this ant bait is Hydramethylnon 1%, which can be used both indoors and outdoors.
How Does Maxforce Complete Work?
Since Maxforce Complete is made up of a combination of simple sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, it can attract ants, which consume the bait that later kills them.
Sprinkle Maxforce ant killer spray around structures where you might have seen many ants. You should pour it evenly in a 1-2 foot wide band. You can use this ant spray to treat areas such as driveways, patios, porches, flowerbeds, woodpiles, and garbage receptacles.
4. Terro – Best Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait
One of the best outdoor ant killers is Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits. These ant baits are usually the go-to choice for many individuals. Terro is sold in a 1-oz pack of six stations, each pre-filled and ready to use.
Terro Outdoor Ant Baits work by attracting and killing ants lingering in your outdoor home area. The product has been proven to kill different species of household ants outside your home before they even get into the house. Terro ant traps can also be used for large ant infestations.
How Do Terro Liquid Ant Baits Work?
Similar to other liquid ant baits in the market, Terro works by slowly killing ants. This is achieved through the interference of the ants’ digestive system, which then kills them. The product is quite effective because this slow killing mechanism provides a chance for worker ants to transport the bait to the colony and the queen.
Using Terro Outdoor Ant Baits is quite easy and you should not have a problem applying them on your outdoors. All you have to do is place the stakes on the ground and the ants will be attracted and carry them to their nests. The only major thing to do here is to place the stakes where you see a lot of ant activity.
One thing you should know before using Terro liquid baits is that you should place them out of reach for pets and kids, as they can be quite toxic. Apart from this, the liquid can cause a mess in case it spills out and can cause a concrete stain.
- Easy to use ant traps, as all you have to do is place the stakes on the areas with the most ant activity.
- Eliminates an entire ant colony.
- Pre-filled for easy outdoor use.
- Can cause concrete stains.
- Can be toxic to kids and pets.
5. AMDRO Ant Block – Best of Ant Bait Granules
AMDRO ant bait granules work in the same way as Terro liquid baits. The granules attract ants to them, and they carry them back to their nests and eliminate all ants. The main active ingredient in AMDRO is Hydramethylnon, which eliminates all species of ants, including carpenter ants, pavement ants, and fire ants.
The main benefit of using AMDRO liquid bait is that it creates a barrier around your house, which offers you enough protection against all kinds of ants for more than three months. How great would it be for you not to worry about ants for such a long time?
Applying AMDRO Ant Block is quite easy and you should not have an issue with this process. All you have to do is pour the liquid around your yard, especially those areas you have noticed a lot of ant activity. After that, wait for the product to work its magic. You should not see any ants within one week after application.
- Kills ants slowly, providing time for them to get the bait to the entire colony.
- The treatment lasts for three months.
- One bottle of AMDRO Ant Block can provide you with multiple treatments.
- Unlike other methods, it takes a very long time to get rid of all ants.
What is the Best Outdoor Ant Killer in 2024? – Your Expert Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to selecting the best product, you will realize that you have very many options to choose from. You might thus easily get overwhelmed when selecting a good outdoor ant killer that will be effective for you. It is for this reason that I have decided to compile this buyer’s guide to help you make a good purchase decision.
Best Killer Based on the Type of Ants You Want to Eliminate
The first major factor that you have to consider when purchasing an outdoor ant killer is the type of ants you want to get rid of. Just like other creatures, ants come in a wide range of different species that may have distinct reactions to different ant killers. It is for this reason that you want to have a good idea of the ants you are dealing with to ensure you pick the right ant killer.
Among the recommended products in this article, I have seen the best ant spray is Bifenthrin Concentrate. It offers the best possible results for dealing with different species of ants such as carpenter ants, red wood ants, fire ants, harvester ants, black garden ants, bullet ants, and Argentine ants. Therefore, if you are looking for a product that works for most ant infestations, then Bifenthrin is the best choice for you.
Bait vs Contact Ant Killers
If you look at some of the aforementioned products like Maxforce Complete, bait is implemented to get rid of ants and other insects that may be lingering in your outdoor home area. The reason why bait is recommended is that it attracts ants, which ingest the bait and then transport it back to their colony. This means that bait has the potential to eliminate the entire colony by destroying the queen.
Another reason why bait is recommended is that it is made to taste like food. It, therefore, entices ants, which bring it back to the queen and other members of the colony. Immediately the queen consumes the bait, the whole colony perishes. The bait is designed to kill slowly, meaning there will be a delay time for the worker ants to get the bait back to the colony.
Despite this, bait takes quite some time to get rid of ants. It might even take several weeks or months to eliminate a colony. This is where contact killers like Bifenthrin Concentrate and Spectracide Triazicide come into play. These kinds of products kill instantly, meaning no time is wasted. They can thus eliminate a colony of ants in a very short time
Liquid vs Granules
Another problem that you will face when selecting the best ant killers entails choosing between liquid and granular. If you experience this dilemma, then it is good to note that the targeted use of the product will be the determining factor.
Liquid Products
Liquid form products like Bifenthrin come in concentrated forms, meaning you only need to apply a limited amount to achieve the best possible results. Apart from being economical, liquid killers are great for use in the outdoors because the liquid soaks in, killing all ants crawling around.
To achieve positive results, consider applying Bifenthrin Concentrate ant spray in the morning or evening to prevent evaporation.
Granular Products
Granular form products like Spectracide Triazicide are mostly used to control outdoor ants. This ant killer is thus ideal for treating individual ant colonies that sprout up around the yard.
For the best results while using this product, be sure to treat the entire lawn infested with ants.
Natural vs Chemical-Based
When looking to eradicate ants from your outdoors, you will have two main options – natural and chemical-based killers. This part of the article analyzes these different approaches towards outdoor ants’ elimination.
Natural Remedies
In the hope of trying to avoid cons like toxicity, homeowners may prefer natural approaches to ant control. Some natural methods include treating with borax, applying diatomaceous earth, and pouring boiling water down the anthill.
The main advantage of natural ant killers is that they do not have any negative effect on you or the environment. However, the only issue with these techniques is that they are not very effective, as they do not have an active ingredient proven to kill ants and their larvae.
Chemical-Based Remedies
Chemical-based agents are the go-to product for many homeowners. I have had success with chemical-based ant killers such as Bifenthrin Concentrate and Spectracide Triazicide. Such killers typically contain an active ingredient proven to eliminate ants such as Bifenthrin, which is the main active ingredient in Bifenthrin Concentrate.
On the other hand, Spectracide Triazicide contains gamma-cyhalothrin, as its main ingredient. This compound has been proven to kill a wide range of insects including ants. Chemical-based means are readily available, strong, and fast-acting. They are thus more effective compared to natural killers.
Outdoor Ant Killers in the Garden
Although ants are beneficial to the garden, ant infestations can cause damage. It is therefore important to control ants immediately you see them in your garden.
When it comes to finding a good remedy, you have to implement ant-control options that are not going to cause damage to the plants or harm individuals that will be consuming them.
Insecticides
Spraying insecticides is a great way to kill outdoor ants. When selecting an insecticide, you need to go for a safe product to ensure no damage to your garden. The best remedy for this purpose is Bifenthrin Concentrate ant spray. The main reason why this product works is that it is toxic to ants, but not people or the garden.
You can apply Bifenthrin Concentrate ant spray on the infested part in your garden or directly to ant mounds for an even better experience.
Baits
When looking for a long-term solution for outdoor ants, baits happen to be more effective than insecticide sprays. Since ant baits are designed to taste and smell like food, ants are attracted to them and take them back to the colony and the queen. After a few days, the whole colony will be eliminated.
A bait-based ant killer like Spectracide Triazicide has a low toxicity rating, meaning that it does not pose any risk to you or the environment. This makes it ideal for use in the garden.
Best Killer Based on Cost
Ant killers are of different kinds and thus come at distinct prices. It is thus important to take into consideration the price of your preferred ant killer. Although you might not want to spend a fortune to get the best ant killers, it is good to note that you get what you pay for.
However, this does not mean that you go for the most expensive product; just choose a product that works best for your ant problem.
In this product review, I have listed five different products that come at different prices. Bifenthrin Concentrate happens to be the most expensive while Spectracide Triazicide is the cheapest on this list. Your preferred product will depend on other factors like those that I have previously talked about in this article. So, choose the product with the best performance and effectiveness.
Questions & Answers
If you have pets that go around your home outdoors or yard, it might not be a good idea for your ant problem to use commercial products. The reasoning behind this is that some killers are made to smell like food. They can thus attract your pets to consume them.
Once this happens, your pet might be faced with a serious health condition or even die. To reduce any risk, consider deterring your pets from accessing the treated area during the treatment period. This is better because you can always allow your pets back to the treated area once the product has settled.
If you still want your pets to access the outdoors even when treating to kill ants, consider using natural sprays that are made from non-toxic ingredients. Although it is not the best product, a natural spray will still get rid of ants while ensuring safety for your pets.
According to NC State Extension Publications, the chemical application is the most effective way to get rid of ants in the outdoors. However, if you have livestock around an area that you would like to treat, you might want to be cautious to ensure your animals are not affected.
It is good to note that baits and insecticides are effective for ant control in the outdoors. However, you should not allow livestock to feed on the treated grass, lawn, or sod clippings.
The use of outdoor ant killers is not recommended when it is raining, as the water can wash away the insecticide or bait granules. So, if you want to achieve the best possible results, consider not applying the product during wet weather.
There exist a wide range of ant species, and it can be hard for you to know the exact type that has invaded your outdoors. However, some common household ants include fire ants, bullet ants, carpenter ants, Argentine ants, pharaoh ants, and black garden ants.
The good news for you is that the best option of products should be able to eliminate most of these ants, as long as you apply it correctly.
Conclusion
An ant infestation in the outdoors not only causes structural damage, but ants can also have negative effects on your health. Some ant species can spread diseases such as typhoid. As a result of this and many other factors, when you see ants in your home, you should exterminate them immediately.
To do this, consider getting yourself any of the aforementioned best outdoor ant killers. The products explained in this article are not only easy to use but are quite effective in getting rid of ants.
Apart from the aforementioned products, you should also consider checking out new ant killing technologies being tested to bring more efficiency and safety in the elimination of ants. For instance, Purdue University is testing the use of hydrogel to get rid of Argentine ants. More tests are being conducted and you could be seeing products with hydrogel in the market very soon.
Contents
- 1 Top 3 Best Outdoor Ant Killer Products in 2024 Comparison Table:
- 2 Top 5 Best Outdoor Ant Killer Products on the Market Reviewed
- 2.1 1. Compare-N-Save Concentrated Indoor/Outdoor Insecticide – Best Ant Control Termiticide for Your Yard
- 2.2 2. Spectracide Triazicide – Best Ant Killer Granules for Lawns
- 2.3 3. Maxforce Complete – Best Ant Killer and Bait
- 2.4 4. Terro – Best Outdoor Liquid Ant Bait
- 2.5 5. AMDRO Ant Block – Best of Ant Bait Granules
- 3 What is the Best Outdoor Ant Killer in 2024? – Your Expert Buyer’s Guide
- 4 Best Killer Based on the Type of Ants You Want to Eliminate
- 5 Best Killer Based on Cost
- 6 Questions & Answers
- 7 Conclusion
