Active IngredientsĪnt killers use a variety of active ingredients in the chemical war on ants.
Although baits don’t offer the instant gratification that sprays do, they have better long-term results by eliminating entire colonies. This delayed action allows time for the ants to return and infect the entire colony. The ants carry the poison back to the colony, where it infects other ants and, with luck, the queen.īait toxin works on a delayed timeline, killing the ants days or weeks after exposure. The bait attracts ants and functions in one of two ways: either the pellets are collected and carried back to the colony, or a sticky liquid or gel sticks to the ants’ bodies.
Although kill-on-contact products eliminate the immediate threat, they aren’t effective at destroying the colony unless sprayed directly onto an anthill.īaits consist of a small receptacle that holds either dry pellets or a sticky liquid. These sprays kill the ants almost immediately, and many leave a residue that will kill other ants that scurry through the substance days later. Kill-on-contact insecticides typically come in aerosol spray bottles. True to its name, the latter type of insecticide kills ants within seconds of contact. Like many ant killers, those specific to carpenter ants come in two basic types: baits and kill-on-contact insecticides. Ahead, learn more about granules, sprays, and gels, as well as other factors to consider when selecting the right product. Understanding how the different types of ant killers work is key to addressing a carpenter ant problem. Photo: What to Consider When Choosing the Best Carpenter Ant Killer
This buyer’s guide contains shopping considerations and recommendations for effective products to help find the best carpenter ant killer for one’s pest problem. These products come in various forms: sprays that kill on contact liquid baits that attract and infect worker ants, which carry the poison back to their colony and granules applied outdoors to prevent ants from getting inside the home.
#HOME DEPOT LIQUID DEFENSE PROFESSIONAL#
This is why it’s crucial to find a suitable solution that will eliminate the colony for good.Ĭarpenter ant killers offer a cost-effective alternative to hiring a professional exterminator to rid one’s home of destructive ants. The worst part? Once a colony is established in one’s home, it’s almost impossible to get rid of. If left unchecked, this can wreak havoc on a home-resulting in thousands of dollars in damage. This aptly named species builds its nest by tearing tunnels through wood. Although many ant varieties can cause problems in a home, few are as potentially damaging as the carpenter ant.