Have you ever said, "My house is loaded with ants inside and out. I need a good bait enough to kill them all"? Ants are one of the most common pests both homeowners and renters encounter. These tiny pests can be found both indoors and outside and will survive where they find food and water sources. Some ant species, such as carpenter ant and fire ant, can cause substantial cosmetic and structural damage to your home. Ant control must include proper sanitation in addition to an actual pesticide treatment using a combination of professional-grade outdoor and indoor ant spray and ant bait.
So how can you exterminate indoor and outdoor ant infestations with ant baits? The fastest way to control ants is finding and treating the ant colony. In most cases, pest infestation originates from outside with possible satellite colonies indoors. Ant bait contains insecticides mixed with materials that attract foraging ants looking for food along the ant trail. The ants will carry small portions of the bait back to the ant nest where it’s transferred mouth to mouth to other workers, larvae, and queens to kill the entire colony. When properly used, baits are more effective and a safer ant killer than other ant problem solutions.
What You Need to Know About Ant Baits
Although there are several options you could try when attempting to kill ants indoors and outdoors, the best way to start is to use ant bait. Ant baiting offers an entirely different strategy of the ant extermination method. This ant killer strategy can work with winged ants and ant species such as fire ant, carpenter ant, pavement ant, Argentine ant, ghost ant, sugar ant, and pharaoh ant. Rather than attempting to kill and spray the ants directly with a killing chemical, ant baits use safer materials such as boric acid, a naturally occurring substance, to affect the ants.
What Is an Ant Bait?
Ant bait is a mixture of ingredients that work together to attract and kill ants. It’s a mixture of a toxic chemical mixed with a food item such as sugar or powder, thus attracting an insect pest. For pests such as ants, the baits only attract the insects when they come into contact with the bait while looking for food.
Insect baits are available in many different forms. Ant bait can be solid or liquid and can be used in different applications depending on where the ant infestation is located. Granule ant baits are used mostly outdoors, while gels and soft solid materials are commonly used in offices, kitchens, and other indoor areas where ants are active.
How Can Ant Baits Exterminate Ant Infestation?
Ant bait works even when you can’t find the nest, and unlike contact pesticides, bait can wipe out the entire colony by destroying the queen. Worker ants will find the bait station and bring back the bait to the larvae for conversion into edible, liquid food, and then pass the pesticide on to the queen and the rest of the colony. They share the toxicant with other workers and queen tenders, and eventually, after 3 to 4 days, the toxicant reaches the queen and affects reproduction in the colony. However, even if the queen dies, eggs may hatch and larvae may pupate and develop into workers. Eventual control of a large colony may take 1 to 5 months.
Baits have some advantages over other types of insecticides. First, baits can work even when the nest can’t be found or it’s inaccessible for treatment with other chemicals. Second, they pose less of a risk to children and pets by reducing possible contact with any toxic chemical. Third, baits can kill the entire colony whereas most insecticides sprayed on a surface kill only the workers that contact it, and some sprays may actually be repellent. Repellents don’t kill the ants and may only direct them to another food source temporarily.
Types of Ant Baits
Ant bait can be solid or liquid, and each type can be used for different applications. These are baits that are effective for the Argentine, carpenter, ghost, odorous, pharaoh, and pavement ants when they’re on the sugar and carbohydrate or protein and grease feeding cycles. Different species of ants will be attracted to one or the other type of baits, according to the dietary needs of the ant colony.
1. Solid Ant Baits
Solid ant bait is available in powder or granule form. Solid ant bait works well indoors or outdoors. It can also be applied in the ant trail or placed directly on a suspected ant hill. The usual ingredient for granular baits is boric acid and borax ant killer. Granular baits are more practical for application outdoors, although they’re also convenient for indoor applications. Solid ant bait that’s used far from an ant nest requires foraging ants to carry it back to their nest before consumption and can often be more trouble for the ants than it’s worth.
2. Liquid and Gel Ant Baits
Ants generally prefer a liquid to a solid because solid bait can’t be digested before transporting it back to the nest. Liquid ant bait allows ants to ingest the bait and carry it back to the nest without having to process it further. That leaves them to immediately distribute it directly to the rest of the colony and the queen. Liquid ant bait will typically be more effective and provide the desired results quicker.
Listed below are some of the most effective liquid ant baits available in the market:
a) Terro Liquid Ant Bait
Terro Liquid Ant Killer is designed for control of sweet-eating ants, including Argentine, ghost, little black, acrobat, pavement, odorous house, crazy, and cornfield ants. Terro liquid ant bait is formulated to quickly attract and kill common household ants.
Borax is the active ingredient in the Terro liquid ant bait. It interferes with the ant's digestive system, slowly killing them. This slow kill is needed to allow time for the foraging ants to make several round trips to the bait and deliver enough back to the nest to eliminate the entire colony. Ant baits containing borax are lethal to ants but have a low toxicity level for animals and humans, making them great for use in homes where children and pets live. Borax makes for a very potent bait, killing ants by disrupting their digestive system.
b) Amdro Liquid Ant Killer
Amdro Liquid Ant Bait is used to kill most common household ants such as crazy ant, odorous house ant, pavement ant, and pharaoh ant.
The active ingredient in this ant killer is hydramethylnon, a chemical compound designed to control insects. It works by enticing the worker ant to ingest the liquid bait and carry it back to the nest to transfer the bait to the queen and colony. This kills the queen and the other ants, causing the colony to collapse.
c) Advion Ant Gel
Advion Ant Bait Gel takes advantage of the natural behavior of ants. Foraging worker ants are attracted to the sweet formula of the bait. After consuming the bait, the foraging ants will return to the nest and share the bait with the rest of the colony, including the queen. By ingesting the active ingredient Indoxacarb, the ants will have their nervous systems disrupted, ultimately ending the ants’ lives and eventually the whole colony.
Advion Ant Bait Gel is a carbohydrate-based gel. Ant feeding cycles can usually be broken into two categories: carbohydrate-feeding (sweet or sugar) ants and protein-feeding (meat, grease, oil) ants. In general, liquid and gel ant baits are sweet or carbohydrate-based.
How to Determine Which Type of Ant Bait Is More Suitable For My Ant Infestation
Offering a small quantity of each kind of bait and observing which one the ants prefer is a good way to determine what to use. Ant colonies also have different nutritional needs at different times of the year or by preference.
Different attractants are more effective against different species of ants and at different times of the year. In the case of Argentine ants, sweet baits are attractive year-round. Protein baits are attractive to Argentine ants primarily in the spring. However, other ant species such as thief ants and pharaoh ants prefer protein or greasy baits year-round.
There’s some evidence that foraging worker ants tend to specialize in the types of food they acquire and return to the nest. Some worker ants may search out and return only solid food materials to the colony, while other workers may specialize in acquiring liquid foods. To exploit this tendency and possibly increase the speed of control, you may use both liquid ant baits and granular ant baits at the same time.
The Process of Ant Baiting
1. Prebaiting
Prebaiting, also called survey baiting, not only gives you an idea of what the ants are feeding on, but also helps pinpoint sites of the greatest feeding activity which tells you where to place your toxic baits. A beneficial part of an inspection may be a prebaiting survey that will enable the professional to map foraging trails.
The choice of baits to use for control typically will depend on the food preference of the ant. Another crucial component of the program is good sanitation so that the bait isn’t competing with other food sources. A non-toxic survey bait, such as honey, jelly, peanut butter, and diced crickets or mealworms on white index cards can be placed in various locations both indoors and outdoors. On the inside, locations to prebait include windowsills, electrical outlets, pipes and drains, sinks, countertops, toilets, and other moisture sources. Outside, survey baits can be placed at corners of window sills, at corners of the foundation, around entrances and exits, at the base of trees, outside tree holes, and at incoming and outgoing plumbing and electrical lines.
Survey baits should be left in place at least 30 minutes to 2 hours to give the ants enough time to discover the baits and recruit enough ants to establish a trail.
2. Baiting Program
After the pre-baiting phase, you should have the right idea of what type of ants are infesting your property and their preferred food. By this time, you should’ve also located some prime feeding sites, ant trails, and maybe even points of entry.
Ant baits are typically installed around the entire perimeter of the building. Depending upon the product, an inspection of the baiting stations should be frequent to ensure effectiveness. In some homes, baits constitute the only form of pest control. Other treatments are supplemented with partial liquid ant bait.
Bait stations should be placed where ants can easily find them, but avoid placing them in areas that are accessible to pets and small children. Place baits near nests, on ant trails beneath plants, or along edges where ants travel. Space them every 10 to 20 feet outside around the foundation and at nest openings, if they can be found.
Place your toxic baits directly on trails when possible since some ants will not wander off of their trails. Place baits along edges where ants trail such as counter edges, door moldings, wall or floor joints, window frames, and along baseboards. Also place baits near water sources such as sinks, toilets, and potted plants.
Leave enough amounts of bait in lots of sites. Leave enough bait to last until your next service visit. Remember that toxic bait is food-based and spoiled bait can actually repel ants. Some baits without preservatives will need to be replaced weekly. Once you have discovered the most active feeding sites, concentrate your bait placements in these areas.
Control with baits isn’t immediate and may take several weeks or more to be complete. Discontinue baiting sites that have had no activity since you placed the bait.
Tips for Effective Ant Baiting
1. Do Proper Placement of Ant Bait
Place baits as closely as possible to the ant colony. If an acceptable food source is available close to the colony's location, that food source is likely to be more heavily exploited.
2. Use Proper Amount of Ant Bait
Not placing enough bait placements is another common reason ant baits might fail in controlling an infestation. Each active foraging trail should be baited because that trail could be from a separate colony, especially in the case of the pharaoh ant. Follow-up inspections are helpful in identifying a new ant trail.
3. Be Sure to Sanitize the Baiting Spot
Baits work best when there are no other food items accessible to the ants. Remove other potential food sources as they may defer the ants to those sources of foods instead of the ant bait. Keep the baited areas clean at all times to keep other pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs, and fruit flies away as well.
4. Check Ant Baits Regularly
The biggest mistake made with ant baits is placing them and forgetting about them until the next scheduled service visit. Ant baits should be checked within one week at least, but sooner may be better for some situations.
5. Be Patient
Ant trap strategy is slow-acting and doesn’t kill the ants quickly. You should have patience in waiting to exterminate the entire colony of ants infesting your property.
Types of Ants to Look Out for in an Indoor and Outdoor Infestation
1. Fire Ant
Fire ants, which are small and reddish-brown in color, build mounds in the yard that look like piles of loose dirt. This species poses the most immediate threat to humans and pets as their painful sting produces a burning sensation as well as swelling and itching. Those allergic to insect stings must be especially careful since fire ant venom can cause swelling of the throat and trouble breathing.
2. Pavement Ant
Pavement ants are brown or black in color. They commonly swarm over paving tiles in what looks like an epic battle with other pavement ants. Some pavement ants, known as alates or swarmers, have wings and can fly to begin new colonies.
3. Crazy Ant
Crazy ants will typically build their nests outdoors and will travel into homes and buildings foraging for food. They’re typically reddish-brown in color and are approximately 1/8 of an inch in length. Crazy ants will nest in both dry and moist areas; outside they can be found nesting in the soil, in tree cavities, under rocks, under rotten wood, and under buildings.
4. Odorous House Ant
An odorous house ant is a small brown or black ant that nests in walls and under floors. They’re drawn to sugar and are most active in the spring and summer months. Odorous house ants are tiny but fast. They usually travel in lines, but if they’re disturbed or alarmed, they’ll run around erratically, releasing their odor as they run.
Exterminate Ants Professionally With Positive Pest Management
Depending on how severe your ant infestation is at home, a professional service might be needed to ensure that these ants will go away permanently. Our skilled technicians will eradicate your indoor ants and outdoor ants, bees, cockroaches, and termites such as drywood termites and subterranean termites to allow you to once again enjoy both your indoor and outdoor spaces. At Positive Pest Management, we specialize in dealing with complex pest infestations and helping you get life back to normal. Contact us today to schedule your initial check-up.
Ants can be quite destructive to all yard types once their numbers begin to get out of control and in plague proportions. The ant colony can cause significant cosmetic damage to your lawn as they create mounds of excavated soil on the surface of your yard known as an ant hill. Their damage can then transfer to paving and other areas around the home. By utilizing a few different methods and ant killer products, you can deal with your ant problem in no time.
So what’s the outdoor ant bait for yard that can effectively exterminate the ant infestation? Ant baiting is one of the best methods for getting rid of an ant infestation in your yard. There are different types of ant bait products such as granule baits, powder baits, liquid ant baits, and reusable bait stations. To choose the best ant baiting product, homeowners should consider the ant species, the most strategic placement for the ant bait, and the durability of the ant bait.
Ant Infestation in the Yard
Ants such as the household ant can be active year-round, but primarily become a concern once the first warm, sunny days of spring arrive. They continue to grow more active as summer approaches, and only slow down again once fall arrives. These pesky ants prefer dry, well-drained soil in an undisturbed low-traffic area.
A healthy lawn with a nice healthy thatch layer and plenty of green leaves is not a welcoming environment for ants. Ants prefer yards that are in poor health, which are sparse or patchy in areas. Yards in this condition become a perfect environment for ants to thrive and flourish. Yard-dwelling ants such as fire ants, carpenter ants, and field ants are generally not an issue because these are not the stinging sort, but some species have a habit of undermining grass roots and can cause large dead patches in the lawn.
How Do Ants Damage the Yard?
Since ants form social communities, which can live in an area just a few inches wide or in a space many feet across, ant populations and their associated problems will vary. Ant hills can be an unpleasant sight and kill off your grass. Large populations of ants and ant hills can make your yard unwelcoming for leisure activities. Additionally, ants on your property provide an invitation to other pests. Having one pest on your property is often a sign that your yard and home may be infested with others.
Ants such as field ants, farming ants, and army ants can all damage your grass if the situation is left untreated. Field ants' mounds damage the grass. They destroy the grass's root structures, causing brown spots to develop in the greenery. Ant mounds can also make the surface of your grass uneven and tougher to mow. Army ants move together in large groups and kill all of the foliage in an area. A group of army ants can eat and destroy entire sections of your yard, killing the grass.
How Does Outdoor Baiting Work?
Baiting ants offers an entirely different strategy for managing ant infestation. Rather than attempting to spray the ants directly with a killing chemical, ant baits use safer materials, usually boric acid, a naturally occurring substance that’s also found in cleaning boosters and contact lens solution. Most ant bait traps are a mixture of something ants are attracted to. Bait trap contains carbohydrates, proteins, oils, or a combination of these attractants along with an active ingredient. Different attractants are more effective against different species of ants and at different times of the year. Ant species such as odorous house ant, little black ant, pavement ant, and sugar ant prefer sweet baits. On the other hand, carpenter ant, fire ant, pharaoh ant, and Argentine ant will go for protein-filled baits. The goal is to have the worker ants bring the ant bait back to the colony, feed it to the queen, and eventually kill her and the entire colony.
The key to successful ant baiting is observation. Make sure that the bait you use is attracting the type of ants in your yard. Place a small amount of bait in the bait station where you see ants foraging and then watch how they respond to the bait for a few minutes. If the ants show no interest in the bait, try a different bait until you find one that they will readily eat. Most ant baits are slow-acting and don’t kill the ants quickly. Therefore, you may continue to see ants for a week or more after baiting.
Different Types of Outdoor Ant Baits
1. Granule Baits
Granular baits are one of the most versatile pesticide formulations in the pest control industry. You can use granular baits to treat all kinds of pests that are found on your property such as ants. Granular bait is especially effective as an ant killer because it kills ants before they even get a chance to try and make their way indoors.
Bait granule is usually used to spot treat ants or other pests on your lawn or garden or as preventative treatments around structures. However, for the best possible results, it’s wise to spread the granule bait over an entire area where the insects forage for food.
Granular baits are food particles treated with an insecticide or an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR). Granule bait consists of a solid particle that contains an insecticide impregnated into the granule as well as attractants and food particles for the target insects. The type of ant killer insecticide inside a granule bait can vary, from more natural ingredients such as borax, boric acid, or diatomaceous earth to synthetic or man-made insecticide materials such as synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids.
2. Gel Ant Baits
Gel ant baits take advantage of the natural behavior of ants traveling their ant trail. Foraging worker ants are attracted to the sweet formula of the bait. After consuming the bait, the foraging ants will return to the nest and share the bait with the rest of the colony, including the queen. If an ant ingests the active ingredient Indoxacarb, its nervous system is disrupted, ultimately ending in death. Gel formulations of pesticide baits are packaged in small tubes. They’re applied in small cracks and crevices where ants are entering, preferably in their ant mound or ant nest. Gel products are now available to home users as well as professionals and can be a useful tool in an IPM ant killer.
3. Reusable Bait Stations
Reusable bait stations or dispensers are more useful than prepackaged baits for more difficult ant problems. Reusable stations can be opened, checked, and refilled as needed. This is particularly important for liquid bait, which may be rapidly consumed or dry out. Some stations have removable cups that can be filled with two or more types of baits to offer ants a choice. Examples of liquid ant bait are Amdro fire ant bait, Terro liquid ant bait, and homemade liquid bait.
Bait stations protect baits from photodegradation and disturbance from other organisms. Some types of bait stations can be permanently installed into the ground or attached to outside walls or pavements in areas around schools or other buildings where ants are a frequent problem. The bait stations may be hidden in mulch so they’re not immediately visible to children or pets.
Place the bait station near the line of ants close to their point of entry so they have to crawl over it, but be sure it’s out of reach of children and pets and not near food that could become contaminated. It’s also recommended that ant bait stations are placed where ants can easily find them. Avoid placing them in areas that are accessible to pets and small children. Place baits near nests, on ant trails beneath plants, or along edges where ants travel. Space them every 10 to 20 feet outside around the foundation and at nest openings (if they can be found). Place gels in cracks and crevices behind and under appliances, cabinets, sinks, or closets.
To improve bait effectiveness, be sure to remove any particles of food, residues of sweet liquids, or other attractive material from cracks around sinks, pantries, and other ant-infested areas. Ants eat a wide variety of foods, including seeds and fruit. They especially like foods high in fat. Keep all tempting foods away from the baited mounds so that the ants feast only on the bait.
3. Monitor ant bait regularly
Check and refresh bait stations regularly. Baits can dry up or become rancid and unattractive over time. It’s also important to leave enough bait for the ants for several days. If the ants carry away all of the bait before you refill the bait, then they may leave that area and go somewhere else before enough bait is spread within the colony. Large ant colonies may require multiple locations and amounts of bait. It’s recommended to place bait that’s enough for 4 days after you see no more signs of feeding by the ants.
4. Be patient
Most bait stations are slow-acting and don’t kill the ants quickly. It takes time for the bait to affect the ants. You’ll probably see ants during this period, but remember that they’re busy spreading the bait. Don’t disturb or kill the ants with ant spray or other means. Spraying the flying ants or the area baited will contaminate the bait and likely repel the ants away from the area. Doing so will disrupt the destruction cycle already set in motion.
Free Your Lawn From Ant Infestation With Positive Pest Management
If you’re spotting a lot of ants in your yard, contact the pest control experts at Positive Pest Management. Our ant control experts can identify, get rid of, and prevent the ants indoors and ants in your yard from getting into your home.
At Positive Pest Management, our technicians are trained to get rid of ant colonies that may be plaguing your yard. Our team can also identify other issues that having ants may be causing, and we’ll recommend steps to remedy the problem. Give us a call to schedule your ant extermination so you can enjoy your yard this summer.
An ant invasion is not only a source of nuisance but also a cause of damages to pieces of furniture and the property. Repellents and insecticides are two of the common products that control ant infestation. However, these products often contain toxic chemicals and substances that are harmful to people, especially young children.
So what are child safe ant bait products and methods to treat the ant problem at home? Parents can create a safe ant killer with ingredients they can easily find at home or buy from the store. Some natural ingredients that can be used for setting up a bait trap for ants are white vinegar, baking soda, bay leaves, essential oils, dishwashing soap, and diatomaceous earth.
Kid-Friendly Pest Control Options for The Home
Little kids love to snack anywhere in the house and the crumbs that fall and litter all over the floor are attractive to the ants. The most common ant species of indoor ants are carpenter ant, Argentine ant, fire ant, odorous house ant, and pharaoh ant (sugar ant). Most of them, including pavement ants, are attracted to food items, while crazy ants can be found in electrical wirings and equipment.
Commercial insecticides such as Raid Ant Bait, Advance Ant Bait, and Terro Liquid Ant Bait are effective solutions but they may require some precaution since they can be toxic for use around kids. With that said, there are safe and easy-to-make alternatives for preventing and controlling ants at home:
1. White vinegar solution
Creating an insect repellent spray out of white vinegar is easy and quick. Just combine equal parts of water and vinegar in a bottle, shake, and apply them directly on the ant trail. These insects send pheromones along their trail to guide the other worker ants to the food. When sprayed on their path, the pungent smell of the vinegar can hide the pheromones so other ants cannot crawl to other parts of the home.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is known as a natural insecticide for ants. Its chemical composition contains a mineral acid that can mix with their digestive system and dehydrates their bodies until they die. To create an ant trap with baking soda, mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar in a small container. It should be placed in the area near their ant trails so they will pick up the bait and bring it to their colony.
3. Bay leaves
Bay leaves are a natural pest-repellent plant. They can help prevent ant infestation in the kitchen and pantry where foods are stocked. When you put fresh or dried bay leaves inside cupboards or near the jars of grains and cereals, ants will naturally avoid them since they dislike the taste and strong scene of bay leaves.
4. Essential oils
Limonene is a chemical found in most citrus-based essential oils such as orange oil and lemon eucalyptus oil. This substance can effectively kill ants by dissolving their exoskeletons until they are dried out and left without proteins which leads to their death.
Other types of essential oil that can repel and exterminate ants are peppermint, tea tree oil, and cinnamon leaf oil (an alternative for this is a cinnamon powder which can be spread directly on their colony). These oils can be applied on cupboards and countertops using a cotton ball or using a spray bottle.
5. Dish soap and water solution
Dish soap products can also be used for creating a spray solution to take care of ants. It requires creating a mixture of soap and water and putting them in a spray bottle. It should be spritzed directly on their trails or their colony (if visible), and it works by suffocating the ants until they are killed.
6. Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is a powder treatment made up of diatoms which are a fossilized type of algae. This treatment usually requires sprinkling the powder along their usual trails. When ants crawl over the powder, it sticks to their bodies and begins to absorb the oils and proteins from the ant’s exoskeleton which will slowly dry them out until they die. It’s generally safe for both kids and pets as long as it is applied carefully.
The best way to avoid ant infestation from getting out of control is to implement preventive measures that will make the home unappealing to ants. Some precautionary actions that can help in managing insect activity at home are:
Keep areas and surfaces in the kitchen clean: The kitchen is one of the locations that foraging ants frequent because of the abundance of food supply and leftover crumbs. Dirty dishes can also attract ants so it’s important to immediately clean them after every meal. Counters should also be wiped clean to remove any residue that can cause ants to litter in the kitchen.
Store food in tightly closed containers: Make sure that any snacks placed in containers are properly sealed since ants can crawl their way even in the small openings if they are poorly closed.
Regularly throw out the garbage outside the home: Ants can also be seen going in and out of trash cans. This happens when you’ve thrown out old food and ants detect their smell from the outside. You should immediately take out the trash and place them in outdoor bins to keep ants from roaming indoors.
Do daily cleaning of the house: Sweep floors or vacuum under large appliances and furniture as food crumbs and debris can accumulate in these areas. You should also check for any leaks under counters and sinks since excess moisture can also attract these pests.
Secure holes and gaps that can be accessed from the outside: Ants can enter through any cracks that are accessible from the exterior of the home. Seal with ant-proof adhesive tape or caulk (works the same as a sealant) to close any openings in wall surfaces or pipes where ants can pass through.
What Ant Bait Chemicals Are Toxic for Kids
To eliminate ants for good, it’s important to do a thorough inspection of the home to determine the possible location of the ant colony. Getting rid of ants permanently requires taking out the entire colony to avoid re-infestation.
An ant colony typically comprises a queen, workers, and males. Like termites who are social insects, they have castes where each ant is assigned a particular role. Queens are the head of the colony and are in charge of reproduction along with the male ants. There is also a worker ant (foraging ants) whose main purpose is to gather food and soldier ants who will defend their nest.
Most ant killer products contain strong chemicals that can wipe out an entire colony and destroy their anthill mound. These substances are toxic and oftentimes deemed not safe for children and pets. Some of the active ingredients that are present in insecticides include borax, fipronil, avermectin, permethrin, neonicotinoids, hydramethylnon, indoxacarb, and metaflumizone.
What To Do When Kids Come In Contact With Ant Killer Products
There is generally a low risk of poisoning since these products have a low concentration of chemicals and it cannot work on humans in the same way that it does on ants. But when children unintentionally come into contact with these baits and insecticides, it’s safer to watch closely for any signs of irritation.
They may also develop nausea, headaches, vomiting, muscle weakness, and skin rashes upon being exposed to pesticides. If there’s direct contact with their skin or eyes, immediately rinse off the bait from the affected with clean water and soap. If they tasted the insecticide, cleanse the mouth with lots of water. Medical care should be given if their symptoms persist.
Other Kinds of Ant Killer Products
If there are still ants scattered inside the home even after laying down homemade traps, there are commercial ant killer products that can be easily bought in stores such as:
1. Boric acid
Boric acid is an active ingredient that is present in household cleaning products and detergent solutions. It is also considered a natural pesticide that can target the nervous system and exoskeletons of ants. It’s available both in powder form which can be placed on their ant trails or it can be diluted with water to make liquid bait and spray.
2. Ant gel
They are a type of bait that comes in squeezable gel formulations. Most ant gels are sweet and sugary which are the tastes that most house ants love. It has a syringe on its packaging where the gel will easily come out when squeezed. They can easily be injected into cracks and crevices where ants are usually active. It also has a safety lock that prevents the tube from squeezing out the gel when children play with the product.
3. Ant spray
Aerosol ant sprays are effective for keeping ants from entering indoors. They’re considered as a localized spot treatment since they require to be directly sprayed on the area where ants reside or along their trails. They can also be used as a residual insect spray to keep the house free from insects for a short time. They can release toxic fumes so it’s important to keep children and pets away when using the spray.
When planning for DIY ant control at home, be mindful of handling and placing an ant bait station to make sure children do not make contact with them. Check the back label and review its contents for any toxic chemicals. You should follow the instructions for proper usage of the baits and position them in out-of-reach areas.
Once the traps have been stationed, you should wash hands before touching and playing with children. Return any unused bait in its packaging and lock them in cabinets and high places where the kids cannot easily get them.
Control Ant Infestations with Positive Pest Management
Using natural ingredients to create a homemade kid and pet safe ant killer is a viable alternative to the traps, gels, and sprays that often contain harmful chemicals. It can also help to consult with pest control professionals like Positive Pest Management to find the right treatment that can safely exterminate ants for good.
At Positive Pest Management, we are dedicated to providing efficient solutions that can solve your ant problems. Our team is equipped with knowledge and technique in using the latest ant baits and insecticides to make your home space entirely pest-free. Call us now to learn more about our pest control services.
Termites and ants are both nuisance pests that trouble homeowners each year. Their infestation could mean significant property damage since they can both attack the wood structure that makes up the foundation of the home. Knowing how to control them can minimize the destruction they can bring upon your assets.
So will ant bait kill termites the same way it exterminates ants? Termites feed on wood and other cellulose-rich materials while ants mostly get their nourishment from sweets and sugary liquids. While bait stations effectively lure out ants and termites from their nest, it’s important to consider their food sources, and food baits for ants will not be as attractive for termites.
Pest Management for Ants and Termites: The Similarities and Differences
Termites and ant species are both social insects. They build and live in colonies where there is a specific caste system consisting of reproductives (king and queen), workers, and soldiers. The termite worker and ant worker have similar functions where they gather food for the entire colony and build nests and galleries.
Commercial ant and termite bait stations have the same mechanism where they lure out the workers. They need ingredients that are appealing to the pests and mix them with a poisonous substance. Ant traps are usually placed near their colony or along the path of their ant trail. Meanwhile, termite traps are positioned above or under the ground surrounding the home. Sometimes, homemade termite baits can also be placed
Bait treatments are slow-acting since ants and termites pick up the poisoned food from the station and bring it back to the colony to share with the rest of its members. But once they distribute the food in their nest, the poison can completely eradicate their entire population.
How Do Baits Work?
There are two types of bait that can be used for ant control: solid bait (powder or granule forms) and liquid bait. In most cases, a liquid ant bait is more preferred by ants since they only need to ingest it in order to transport and share with their ant nest. Solid ant baits require more work since they need to be digested so they can carry them to their colony.
Sweet substances and protein-rich food baits are effective for most ant species like carpenter ant, fire ant, and Argentine ant. Black ants are also drawn to sugary liquids and snacks, as well as a small dead insect. Fire ant bait can also use greasy substances, oils, and fats from meat.
On the other hand, most termite species (such as subterranean termite and drywood termites) get their nutrition from cellulose obtained in wood, leaves, and dead grass. For this reason, using baits that are high in cellulose such as timber, decaying wood, log stakes, paper, and cardboard, and lacing them with lethal toxins can be an effective termite killer.
The common active ingredients used for pesticides and insecticides are borax and boric acid. They are both derived from the same compound (Boron) but they have different formulations. Borax is typically in powder form and it is widely used in cleaning and detergent products. Borax solutions are also used for pressure-treated wood to protect them from termite infestation.
Boric acid is the more refined and processed form of the mineral. It is more effective in termite extermination compared to borax since it is easier to ingest. It can kill an insect by penetrating its exoskeletons and working its way into its nervous and digestive system. It can affect their metabolism and dry out their skin until they are dehydrated to their death.
Strategies for Effective Ant and Termite Baiting
Before deciding to use bait stations, a thorough inspection of the home must be done by pest control professionals. They can help in identifying the source of invasive ants or termites so that the bait will be placed in the right location. In some cases, the bait will need to be installed outdoors and this will require inserting the trap underground in the soil surrounding the property.
To successfully eradicate the entire colony or carpenter ant nest, the bait system should be accessible to the foraging ants or termites and should contain suitable food for them. When managed and monitored regularly, bait stations can also be a viable long-term solution. Here are some tips for effective ant and termite baiting:
1. Locate the source of their activity
Conducting a termite inspection to target specific areas where there are signs of their infestation. Indoor ants are likely to be found near food sources such as the kitchen, pantry, and cupboards. They can also crawl on floorings, inside wall surfaces, under appliances, and behind air conditioning and heating units.
Meanwhile, termites can enter the homes through wood-to-ground contact. They can easily sneak in through holes and crevices in door frames, porch steps, and any wooden structures that are in contact with soil. Because of this, termite baits are usually stationed under the ground surrounding the property.
2. Put a sufficient amount of bait
Whether you’re using solid or liquid bait, make sure that there is enough food on the trap so that it will not be quickly emptied. Keep on checking and restocking the bait for at least a week until there are no more signs of active infestation within the area.
3. Let them consume the bait peacefully
Once you’ve set up the bait system, you mustn’t disturb the ants while they are feeding on it. Do not attempt to kill them with an insecticide spray as it will only contaminate the bait or repel them away from the baited area.
Likewise, be sure to remove other competitive food sources so that they will not be distracted from finding the bait. As much as possible, apply the bait in areas where there is no food so that there will not be any risks of food contamination in the household.
4. Be patient
Most baits take time to completely put a stop to infestations. It may take several days up to a week to attain complete elimination, but each ant that digests the bait may die within 24 to 48 hours. Meanwhile, termite bait stations need to be monitored and maintained periodically to ensure continuous protection from infestation. They may take a few months until they discover the stations and begin feeding on them.
Understanding the Comparison Between Ants and Termites
Ants and termites are the main sources of pest control problems in many households. While they are both wood-destroying insects, it takes a trained eye to recognize their differences and tell them apart from one another. It helps to know their unique characteristics so you can identify what kind of infestation you have at home and implement the right solution.
1. Physical features
Generally, ants have a head, thorax, and abdomen while termites only have a head and thorax. When comparing their reproductive swarmers, flying ants have pinched waists, crooked antennae, and a pair of wings of uneven size. The bodies of ant swarmers can be black, dark brown, or reddish. On the other hand, a worker ant can measure from 1/8 inch to 5/8 in length and appear red, yellow, brown, or black.
For termite swarmers, they have a straight antenna and their set of wings are usually of equal length with distinct vein patterns on the front wings. Unlike ants, the winged termites have wider bodies and straight waists and can appear light brown or black. Worker termites can be creamy white or pale with round heads, and strong mandibles and teeth which they use to chew on wood.
2. Behavior
Ants do not necessarily eat wood, but they can dig and create tunnels and nests inside them. They prefer human food such as sweets, sugars, carbohydrates, and fats. When worker ants find a food source, they send out signals (pheromone) along their trail so other ants can follow and line up to get their share of food. This makes ant infestation easier to detect, especially if their trail is in an exposed area.
Termites, on the other hand, depend on wood for their nutrition especially since they need cellulose to survive. Drywood termites, in particular, can live without soil and thrive inside wooden structures and fixtures for years without being detected; whereas subterranean termites and dampwood termites both prefer living in moist areas and need water for their sustenance.
If there’s one thing ants and termites have in common, it is their reproduction cycle. During their swarming season, the winged males and females leave their nests to pair off. Once they’ve found their partners, they will shed their wings on the ground and look for a new place to build a nest where the queen will lay her eggs and grow a new termite colony.
3. Places of interest
Except for drywood termites, ants and termites can attack decaying and wet wood outdoors. This can include building their colonies in tree stumps, old logs, firewood stakes, and mulch. They can also be found in damaged windows and door frames, under leakages in water pipes and sinks, and crawl spaces near plumbing areas indoors. However, wooden furniture, antique fixtures, cabinets, and baseboards are more livable for the drywood species.
4. Signs of infestation
The first sign of possible ant problems is ant frass or droppings. Carpenter ants like to keep their habitats clean, and they will usually push out wood-like shavings as soon as they finish excavating on the wood. These droppings will typically accumulate outside the ant colony along with other piles of dirt and any dead insect that they have kicked out from the wood.
Another sign of carpenter ant infestation is when you see ant pathways that lead to their food source. Follow these trails and you might see that they have begun infiltrating open jars of snacks or leftover food. A nest site that looks like a pile of soil or dirt can also mean that ants have invaded your home.
Meanwhile, discarded wings on window sills, floorings, and crevices are often a sign of termite infestation. They can also leave behind termite droppings or fecal pellets outside their nests. Evidence of termite damage can also include hollow sounds on wood, noises inside walls, and the presence of mud tubes.
Other Termite Treatment Options
It’s important to immediately manage termites at the first sign of infestation before it’s too late. And if you’re unsure on where to begin looking for termites, a team of pest control experts can help in inspecting the home and determining the source of your termite problem. Depending on the recommendation of the professionals, these pests can be managed and exterminated by:
1. Soil treatment
Soil treatment is a preferred solution for subterranean termites who live in underground colonies. This works by filling the soil surrounding the home’s foundation with liquid termiticide. This treatment only acts as a barrier that prevents termite workers from making their way indoors.
Fipronil is the most common chemical substance used for liquid termiticides. As a chemical solution, it can poison the termites and drive away any foragers who will attempt to cross the barrier and enter through gaps and cracks in the structure under the ground. When used in high concentrations, fipronil can be considered an instant termite killer.
2. Wood treatment
Wood treatment describes the process of protecting wood from being a target of infestation and preventing them from decaying. Chemical-based termite sprays can be used on wooden fixtures to repel any kinds of pests from damaging them. Adding new coats of varnish can also help to treat and enhance the look of the furniture.
Another method is using pressure-treated wood. This method usually involves using high pressure to inject chemical preservatives into the wood to protect it from decaying, mold, water damage, and termite infestation. Borate is among the widely used wood treatment sprays for surfaces and structures during construction.
3. Tent fumigation
Fumigation or tenting is the recommended technique for drywood termite control. The process involves putting a tarp or tent over the house before releasing the fumigant or chemical gas onto the property.
The fumigant will penetrate through the cracks hard-to-reach places deep inside the wood where termites are residing. The toxic gas will affect the nervous system of the termites and exhaust their oxygen until they die.
Since it’s a complex treatment method, fumigation is usually performed by licensed pest control professionals. Residents also need to be out of the vicinity of their house when the gas is released since it can be harmful.
4. Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is a powder solution made from silica. It is made up of different diatoms which are a fossilized type of algae. It has sharp edges which can instantly cut and penetrate the exoskeletons of the termites.
It requires to be sprinkled around areas where there is high termite activity. When they crawl over the DE powder, their skin will be cut open and their bodies will start draining fluids until they die of dehydration.
5. Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are natural parasites that can feed on any kinds of insects including termites. These microscopic roundworms contain symbiotic gut bacteria which are poisonous to the blood of the termites.
When these parasites enter into their host termite, they will release the toxic bacterium which can mix with their blood and kill them within a few days. Once their host is dead, they will move on to another body, continuing the process of infesting them until the whole termite nest is exterminated. Nematodes are recommended for controlling advanced termite infestation for a long time.
Advantages of Baits for Termite Control
Choosing the suitable termite treatment can be determined by a variety of factors including the type of termite infestation and home environment. Bait systems are a tried-and-tested method for controlling termites. They are also advantageous for different reasons which include:
Minimal property damage: Bait systems are installed in the soil around the perimeter outside of the home. They do not require any drilling on the floorings and walls inside the house.
Safe: Unlike liquid termiticides that inject chemicals into the soil within the property, the chemicals in bait systems are minimal and they are mixed with the food placed in the trap. There’s little risk for exposure to insecticide poisoning since the toxin-laced bait is buried in the ground.
Long-lasting: When the bait trap is installed properly, it can be effective in providing long-term protection from future termite infestations. It’ll need regular maintenance from a pest control professional to re-bait the stations and ensure they are still properly placed in the ground to prevent termites from returning.
Get Rid of Termites with Positive Pest Management
A termite bait station generally works the same with ant baits where it draws termites to food laced with poisonous substances. Its success depends on finding the right locations where the baits will be stationed and our experts at Positive Pest Management can do that for you.
Here at Positive Pest Management, we have dedicated and trained staff who are highly capable of detecting the source of termite infestation. We offer quality insecticide products and use the latest technology in extermination to eliminate all kinds of pests for good. Contact us now for a free estimate and learn about our services.
Certain ant species tend to bury large food sources that can’t be easily carried back to their nest. This essentially allows them to break down large chunks of the food source into smaller pieces, allowing them to bring it back to their colony bit by bit. If you’re currently using ant baits to deal with an infestation in your home, you’ll probably encounter this behavior. And while this does make baiting and poisoning the ants easier, the mess they make will still leave you annoyed and frustrated.
So how can you deal with ants covering bait with dirt? By taking measures to prevent them from doing that in the first place. Read on below to find out more.
Tips to Prevent Ants From Covering Bait With Dirt
You can’t stop ants from doing that once they've started since you need them to take the poison home. However, there are ways for you to prevent them from doing that in the first place, minimize the mess they’ll leave, and maintain peace of mind during the process.
1. Avoid leaving large solid baits
As mentioned above, the main reason ants cover food in dirt is that it’s too big to be brought home in one piece. So if you don’t want them burying your ant baits in a similar way, best set them in smaller, lighter chunks. Make sure they’re spread out evenly near the anthill so the ants can easily smell them.
2. Opt for liquid ant baits
You could also use liquid ant baits instead of solid ones. Liquid ant baits will help you avoid dealing with ants covering bait with dirt, and cleaning it up afterward will be much easier. But more importantly, liquid ant baits are more effective when it comes to slowly eradicating ants.
3. Clean the surrounding area
To cover large chunks of bait and food, ants will collect any bits of debris they can find. This will include dirt, hair, colony garbage, and even exoskeletons of their fellow ants. By cleaning and sanitizing the area surrounding their colony, you’ll be able to deny them access to these debris, thus reducing the chances of them burying your ant traps in dirt.
4. Place the bait near the ant mound
Moreover, ants only cover food in dirt if it’s too far from their colony. By setting your ant bait near their home, you’ll minimize the chances of them doing so. Granted, they might still use dirt to build scaffoldings and break down the food source into smaller pieces, but at least they won’t make too much mess.
5. Replace baits regularly
Lastly, you need to replace ant baits from time to time. Ant baits age like other food sources, and some of them can get neglected by the ants the longer they stay buried. By checking the lures you set regularly, you can replace those that’ll not serve their purpose. You can also prevent ants from burying your traps since you’ll replace them before they even start collecting dirt.
Best Ant Baits in the Market
Ant traps aren’t that hard to come by. In fact, you can easily get them from your nearest stores, supermarkets, and online retail. Below are some of the most popular ant baits available.
1. Advance 375A Ant Bait
Protein-based and slow-acting, Advance 375A Ant Bait is perfect for eradicating various ant species, including the odorous ant, the pavement ant, the carpenter ant, and the fire ant. This product contains abamectin, a compound that attacks an ant’s nervous system and leaves their bodies paralyzed. Abamectin can effectively eradicate your ant infestation without causing harm to your plants and shrubs.
2. Advion Ant Bait Gel
If you’re dealing with sugar-craving ants, opt for Advion Ant Bait Gel. Made with Indoxacarb, this product is notable for its slightly delayed effects. It’ll kill ants within days of consumption, but it’ll keep them alive long enough to bring the ant bait home for their fellow ants to eat. But more importantly, this ant killer comes in a gel form that makes it easy for ants to climb over and break down, removing the need to bury it in dirt.
3. Amdro Ant Bait Granules
Meanwhile, Amdro Ant Bait Granules will help you eradicate ants outside your home. Made especially for outdoor pest control, it’s effective in ornamental gardens, lawns, and other landscaped areas. It’s perfect against at least 17 ant species, including the Argentine ant, the carpenter ant, and the Pharaoh ant. For best results, set this ant bait during the period where ants are most active.
4. Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait
With its patented gel-like consistency, Intice Gelanimo Ant Baits allow ants to feed off its surface without the need to use dirt as scaffolding. This reduces the mess you’ll have to deal with afterward, and it allows more ants to get chunks of it (depending on how strategically you place it). Additionally, this bait will not get sticky or gooey over time, allowing the ants to take it without drowning or getting stuck.
5. Invict Xpress Granular Bait
If you’re looking for a faster ant killer, go for Invict Xpress Granular Bait. This product contains Imidacloprid to kill ants quickly. However, it also has various powerful ingredients that’ll easily lure ants and keep them alive long enough to encourage other ants to take the bait. Plus, it can be effectively used to get rid of larger pests like roaches and crickets.
6. Maxforce Granules
According to its advertisers, Maxforce Granules are so delicious that ants won’t be able to resist it and so effective that they won’t be back for seconds. Available in various granule sizes and flavors, this product can help you eradicate a broader spectrum of ants, cockroaches, crickets, and other pests. Maxforce Granules can be used against ant infestations indoors and outdoors.
7. Optigard Ant Bait Gel
Optigard Ant Bait Gel is another sugar-based, slow-acting ant lure to consider. Notable for containing thiamethoxam, it’s capable of killing the ant queen as well as the rest of the ant colony. It doesn't come with that yellow-brown color or runny consistency that turns off ants, too. Optigard Ant Bait Gel is ideal against the Pharaoh ant, the Argentine ant, the odorous ant, and the carpenter ant among others.
8. Terro T300B Liquid Ant Bait
Terro Liquid Ant Bait contains borax, a milder version of boric acid that destroys an ant’s digestive system and eventually kills it. Despite its kill rate, it’ll keep target ants alive long enough to go back to their colonies and entice their comrades to harvest the rest of the bait. Plus, Terro ant bait comes in liquid form, meaning ants won’t have to cover it in dirt to harvest it.
Call Positive Pest Management for Your Ant Problem
Don’t be surprised if you encounter ants covering bait with dirt; that’s completely normal. Instead, you should do everything you can to minimize the mess they leave, and call your trusted pest control for larger ant infestations.
Too busy to deal with ant infestations on your own? Call Positive Pest Management right away! Servicing New York City and Nassau County, Long Island, we guarantee quality pest control. With our team of experts, we promise that your ant problem will be a thing of the past.
Interested in our pest control services? Give us a call to get a quote.
Tapinoma sessile, better known as the odorous house ant, is an ant species native to the United States. True to their name, they emit a foul odor whenever attacked or killed. They regularly enter houses in search of food, and they tend to nest in large numbers. So it's important to perform proper odorous ant control as soon as you spot them. Thankfully, these pesky insects are not hard to deal with, and they can easily be lured out using ant baits.
Now you might be asking, what’s the best bait for odorous ants? There are many great ant killer products in the market these days. All of them are slow-acting and effective enough to help you eradicate odorous ant infestations. You just need to pick the brand that will best meet your needs.
Best Odorous Ant Baits Available in the Market
Ant traps for T. sessile aren’t that hard to come by. You can easily find them at your nearest stores and supermarkets, and they’re also available online. Below are six of the most recommended odorous ant baits you can buy.
1. Advance 375A Ant Bait
Advance 375A Ant Baits contain abamectin, a substance that can paralyze odorous ants by targeting their nervous systems. This product is a slow-acting, protein-based pesticide that’s effective against odorous ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, and others. And since abamectin is typically used to treat agricultural areas, you can set the Advance 375A ant lure without worrying about your plants and shrubs.
2. Invict Xpress Granular Bait
Invict Xpress Granular Baits can eradicate your odorous ant problem at record speed. This product contains various powerful attractants that’ll easily lure ants, and it has ample amounts of Imidacloprid to instantly snuff these insects out. Aside from eradicating ants, it’s very effective in getting rid of slightly larger pests, including roaches, crickets, silverfish, and earwigs.
3. Advion Ant Bait Gel
Since sugar ant species like odorous ants prefer foraging for sweet food, Advion Ant Bait Gels will easily draw them out of their nests. This ant bait is notable for its slightly delayed effects, as well as its Indoxacarb content. Not only will it kill ants within days of application, but it’ll also maintain its integrity long enough to be picked up by other odorous ants from neighboring colonies. This will result in a more extensive odorous ant de-infestation.
4. Optigard Ant Bait Gel
Optigard Ant Bait Gel is another powerful, slow-acting ant repellent that’s designed to draw out sugar-loving ants. Its notable ingredients include thiamethoxam, a broad-spectrum insecticide capable of killing not only the odorous ant workers but their queen as well. Moreover, it doesn’t have that yellow-brown color or runny consistency displayed by other ant bait products. Optigard Ant Bait Gel is great against the odorous ants, the Pharaoh ant, the Argentine ant, and the carpenter ant among other ant species.
5. Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait
With its patented gel-like consistency, Intice Gelanimo Ant Baits allow ants to feed off its surface. It also doesn't get sticky or gooey over time, enabling more of these pesky insects to partake without drowning in the lure. In short, it allows you to trap and get rid of more odorous ants. Additionally, you can cut Intice Gelanimo Ant Baits into smaller pieces so your targets can bring it back to their nests.
6. Terro Liquid Ant Bait
Terro Liquid Ant Bait contains borax, a powdery white substance that destroys an ant’s digestive system. The product will eventually kill the odorous ants rampaging in your home. However, it’ll keep them alive long enough to go back to their colonies and entice their comrades to harvest the bait. This ensures that you take down hundreds if not thousands of odorous ants in your home.
Why Deal With Odorous Ants Right Away
Odorous ants getting into your home really stink (pun intended), and in more ways than one. Aside from their foul stench, below are other reasons why you should get and keep them out of the house:
1. Their colonies grow fast
The longer you ignore an odorous ant infestation, the larger their population becomes and the harder it’ll be to eradicate them. Colony size ranges from 100 to 10,000 ants, and larger nests could contain more than one queen. Female odorous ants lay one egg daily, and it takes around 24 days for their young to grow into adulthood.
2. They attract larger pests
Like other ants and small insects, odorous ants make excellent food sources for larger insects, birds, and reptiles. The longer you let them roam in your home and garden, the more likely these larger pests will come and wreak their own havoc. To keep that from happening, you need to deal with those odorous ants as soon as you can.
3. They’ll ruin your food
Odorous house ants can potentially contaminate the food you eat. Chances are, they’ll crawl through areas in your home that contain harmful bacteria or other illness-causing pathogens. They’ll then make their way to your kitchen counters, pantries, and food preparation areas to forage, leaving some of their filth behind. This might cause you and your loved ones to get sick.
4. They’ll destroy your home
T. sessile ants won't just give you an odorous house. If you leave them unchecked, they’ll eventually destroy your beloved home, too. Indoors, odorous ants have a tendency to construct their nests near hot water pipes and heaters, sinks, cupboards, and crevices and wall voids. These colonies will gradually tear away at your house, especially as their population grows.
Tips to Properly Set Up Odorous Ant Baits in Your Home
To effectively entrap odorous ants, you need to make sure that your target finds the bait, carries some of it back to their nest, and returns to the bait with backup. With these in mind, you need to do the following:
1. Position it strategically
Place the bait near sites where you spotted odorous ants or where they’ll likely build their colonies. Make sure the traps can’t be reached by your children and pets, especially if they contain borax or boric acid. You should also avoid placing the baits near the areas where you prepare your food.
2. Use the right amount
You need to give odorous ants enough bait to effectively lure them. However, that doesn’t mean you should lay out too many of them near the infested sites. Doing so is inefficient, especially if you’re dealing with multiple odorous ant invasions.
3. Remove all distractions
Ant baits work best if there are no other food sources around. If you want to properly deal with the odorous ants rampaging in your home, then make sure they focus only on the baits you set. Aside from removing other food in the area, you should clean the area surrounding the infested site as well.
4. Check it regularly
Odorous ant baits will gradually go bad as time passes, with climate, rain, and other elements accelerating the process. So while dealing with odorous ant invasions at your home, you should regularly check the traps you set. Replace those that are too worn out to attract ants.
Get the Best Odorous Ant Baits From Positive Pest Management
Dealing with odorous ants isn’t that hard, even though they’re annoying. With the best ant bait at your fingertips, you can gradually liberate your home from these pesky insects.
Got an odorous ant infestation in your home? Our professionals at Positive Pest Management can help you eliminate all kinds of bug and pest problems, and we can provide you some of the best odorous ant baits money can buy.
To know more about Positive Pest Management’s services, call us and get a free quote.
Ant infestations may not be the worst pest problem you’ll encounter, but they’re still very annoying. Aside from the damage they could cause, ants could also bring unwanted bacteria to your household. Luckily, many ant baits are available to help you entrap and get rid of these pesky insects. When it comes to ant baits, you should consider making them rather than buying available products. Homemade natural ant baits better ensure safety during de-infestation, and they’re arguably more enticing for ants to eat (depending on how you make them).
But how do you make natural ant baits at home? As you’ll see below, homemade ant traps are simple enough to prepare, and the ingredients you’ll need can easily be bought from the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, and even online retailers.
5 Great Natural Ant Bait Recipes to Try Out
Below are some of the best natural ant killer recipes that’ll help you battle ant infestations in your home. Each of these is effective against different ant variants, including carpenter ants, fire ants, pavement ants, and others.
Natural Ant Bait Recipe # 1: Baking Soda and Corn Syrup
Since ants are attracted to sweet stuff, you can use this recipe to lure them.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon baking soda
¼ cup corn syrup
1 sheet waxed paper
Procedure
Mix the baking soda and corn syrup in a small bowl. Stir well to combine.
Place a few drops of the mixture on the sheet of waxed paper.
Cut the waxed paper into small, thin strips.
Place the strips at any areas where you’ve spotted ant activity.
Add a few drops daily until the sugar ants are all gone.
Alternatively, you can use other sweet liquid ingredients in case corn syrups aren’t available. Top choices include maple syrups, honey, and even sugar solutions.
Natural Ant Bait Recipe # 2: Diatomaceous Earth
If you prefer something safer, cheaper, and more environment-friendly, try making ant baits using diatomaceous earth. Made from crushed fossilized diatom skeletons and algae, this substance will greatly aid you when dealing with ant infestations.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons food-grade diatomaceous earth
3 cups water
6 small screw-top jars with lids
Masking tape
Procedure
Cover the jars with masking tape so the ants can climb up their sides.
Mix the sugar, water, and diatomaceous earth in a bowl.
Pour the mixture into the jars.
Place the jars near the ant infestation spot.
Make sure to use only food-grade diatomaceous earth as its industrial counterparts contain chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.
Natural Ant Bait Recipe # 3: Sugar, Lard, and Baking Soda
In case the ants invading your home are drawn to greasy substances, you can try baiting them with a crumbly mixture of shortened baking soda.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons lard
1 sheet waxed paper
Procedure
Place the baking soda and sugar in a small bowl.
Using a mixer, blend the baking soda and sugar while gradually adding the lard. Whisk until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Spread the mixture on the sheet of waxed paper.
Cut the waxed paper into small, thin strips.
Place some of the strips at any areas where you’ve spotted ant activity. Store the rest in a small sealed container.
Replace the strips every day.
Natural Ant Bait Recipe # 4: Cornstarch and Water
While cornstarch isn’t poisonous to ants, it can still help you entrap them long enough for you to dispose of later.
Ingredients
1 cup cornstarch
1 to 2 cups water
1 sheet waxed paper
Procedure
Mix the cornstarch and water in a bowl until the consistency becomes cement-like.
Spread the solution over the sheet of waxed paper.
Cut the waxed paper into small, thin strips.
Place the strips near the infested area.
Additionally, you can also simply sprinkle the infested area with cornstarch. The moisture that comes from the anthill will make it sticky enough to trap the ants.
Natural Ant Bait Recipe # 5: Peanut Butter and Baking Soda
Lastly, you can entrap ants using baking soda and peanut butter. The peanut butter does the baiting, while the baking soda does the dirtier task.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup water
Procedure
Combine the peanut butter and baking soda in a small bowl until the mixture becomes clumpy. Sprinkle it with water whenever needed.
Place clumps of the mixture near the ant colony. Make sure you place them on top of waxed paper to minimize mess.
Replace these clumps as needed.
In case peanut butter isn’t available, you can substitute it with bacon grease.
Why Make Your Own Natural Ant Baits?
With so many ready-made ant baits out in the market, you might be wondering why you should bother with making your own in the first place. Below are a few good reasons why you should:
1. To choose its ingredients
The beauty of making your own ant bait is that you get to choose which ingredients to put in the mix. This allows you to choose safe, natural ingredients like baking soda, cornstarch, and whatnot.
2. To control its strength
Even the best ready-made ant baits aren’t as effective as advertised. By choosing to make your own, you get to control the strength of the ant traps. This allows you to more effectively deal with ant infestations in your home, and it allows you to get your money’s worth.
3. To maximize de-infestation results
Store-bought ant traps typically contain processed ingredients, preservatives, and chemicals. These tend to poison ants quickly, which somewhat undermines their ability to reach the rest of the colony (you need the ants to bring the bait in for it to do its job). By opting to make your own, you can avoid such roadblocks.
4. To keep children and pets safe
At the same time, the borax, boric acid, and other chemicals found in pre-made ant baits can be harmful if ingested or if they somehow get in the eyes. By using them instead of homemade ant traps, you put your children and pets in harm’s way. Sure, you can place them somewhere out of reach, but accidents could still happen. To be completely safe, best choose homemade ant baits.
Making your own natural ant baits is cost-effective compared to buying finished products. Opting for the latter can still get expensive despite the many affordable ant killers in the market. Aside from dealing with the cost compounding gradually, you also need to buy different products for specific target areas, and this will blow your budget quite quickly. So reduce your expenses and make your own ant traps instead.
6. To enjoy better air quality
Pre-made ant baits usually contain chemicals that emit volatile organic compounds. These VOCs can mess up the atmosphere in your home, leaving you, your family, and pets with poor air quality. By using homemade ant baits, you can stop polluting your home, which will eventually help improve air quality.
7. To avoid triggering your asthma
If you’re struggling with asthma or allergies, then homemade ant baits allow you to de-infest your home without triggering your condition. As mentioned above, ready-made ant traps contain VOCs that can pollute the air in your home (because of the strong smell they give off). These can easily set off your breathing problems. With a homemade ant trap, you won’t experience any of these inconveniences.
8. To be environment-friendly
Lastly, homemade ant traps don’t threaten the environment since they don’t emit any VOCs. Homemade natural ant baits are mostly biodegradable, and they can be safely disposed of once you’re done with the ant de-infestation. By choosing them over chemical or synthetic ant traps, you can help keep our planet clean and livable.
Great Tips to Follow When Using Natural Ant Baits
For your homemade ant bait to be truly effective, you need to ensure that the ants find the bait, carry some of it back to their colony, and entice their fellow ants to collect the bait. With these in mind, you can follow these tips that’ll help you effectively use your ant baits to deal with any ant invasion:
1. Locate the infested areas first
Before you even begin making the ant bait, you first need to pinpoint where the ants have made their colony. Look for any signs of ant infestation, including ant corpses, ant trails, and dirt piles. Only after you know where they are should you proceed with making the ant lures.
2. Thoroughly inspect the infested site
Next, you need to properly appraise the situation and inspect the ant-infested areas. Do the routine practiced by pest control professionals, including switching on all the utilities, cleaning the area around the target site, and many others. Or you can have your trusted pest exterminator do it in case you don’t have time to do so yourself.
3. Place the bait properly and strategically
Once you’ve located the ant nests, inspected the site, and finished making the baits, you can proceed with springing them. When placing ant lures, you need to make sure they’re positioned strategically, preferably as close to the ant colony as possible. That is, it should be near enough so the ants can smell it. You should avoid placing the bait on countertops (where food is prepared) or in areas where it can easily get wet. Be sure to keep the bait out of reach of children and pets as well.
4. Control the amount of bait used
While you need to make sure enough bait is placed during the de-infestation, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend it wisely. As a rule of thumb, place more homemade ant baits in larger infestation areas, while using them more sparingly at smaller target spots. For best results, leave the ant bait for at least three days and replace them whenever needed.
5. Keep the surrounding area sanitized
Homemade ant killers work best when nothing is distracting your targets from it, so make sure to keep the area around the ant colony clean. Sweep away the dirt surrounding it, remove the clutter from the room, and make sure there’s no food other than the bait.
6. Check the bait regularly
Even the best homemade ant baits have limited shelf lives. They’ll start aging as soon as you place them near the infestation site. Factors like temperature, sunlight, and climate will also cause them to become inedible for ants over time. So make sure to check up on your traps regularly and replace those that have been rendered useless by the elements.
Enjoy an Ant-Free Home With Positive Pest Management
Ants may not annoy you as much as termites or other insects do, but you still need to get rid of them as soon as they come invading your house. Homemade natural ant baits will help you get the upper hand against these small but terrible creatures. With them at hand, you’ll gradually kick those pesky ants out of your beloved home.
Looking for a professional ant exterminator? Positive Pest Management offers quality pest control in New York City and Nassau County, Long Island. With our team of experts, we can easily help you deal with any ant problems, and we guarantee quality work.
Interested in our pest control services? Give us a call to get a quote.
Ants are a common household nuisance. They can be found in almost every nook and cranny inside the house and are mostly the top concern for homeowners. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), ant infestation is the number one problem in American households.
So how do you successfully bait ants at home? Ant baits are popular insecticides mixed with substances that can attract worker ants searching for food. It can lure out ants from their nests and eventually eliminate their entire colony for good. It comes in different forms and anyone can easily make their own ant traps with store-bought ingredients.
Identifying Types of Ants Found at Home
Identifying ant species is the primary step to managing infestation at home. Different ants require different methods and baits for management. By knowing their classification, you will find it easier to know what bait product will be used for effective ant elimination. Here are some of the common household ants:
1. Odorous house ant
These ants are dark brown to black in color and range from 1/16 inch (2 mm) to 1/8 inch (3 mm) in size. During the rainy season, they tend to forage inside homes for shelter and build their nests in wall cracks or under the flooring. These house ants are also characterized for the rotten coconut smell of butyric acid they emit when crushed, earning them the name “odorous.” They’re always on the search for sweets to eat.
Carpenter ants are reddish-black in appearance and can be quite large, measuring 1/2 inch (13 mm) to 5/8 inch (16 mm) in length. They may cause structural damage as they prefer to build their nests in wood. They also forage into most structural lumber and crawl inside door cracks, holes, and damaged woods. They’re known as omnivores and can feed into almost everything from plant fluids and food crumbs on the floor to decaying insects.
3. Argentine ant
Argentine ants are dark brown in color and are usually small in length, ranging from 1/16 inch (2 mm) to 1/4 inch (6 mm). However, their colony is large, consisting of numerous nests built around an existing nest and containing hundreds of queens (mother of all ants in a colony). These ants usually thrive in a wet environment near a food source. While they don’t pose a health risk, they can be a source of food contamination and also excrete a foul-smelling odor when crushed.
4. Fire ant
Fire ants typically appear dark reddish-brown and are usually 1/8 inch (3 mm) to 3/8 inch (10 mm) long. They build their nest, known as fire ant mound, in outdoor landscape areas and may invade structural properties through crawling in holes or cracks in the foundation.
Getting complete fire ant control may also be difficult since they are an aggressive species and may attack with painful stings and bites when their homes are destroyed. Those with allergies to bees or wasps may also have a reaction to fire ant stings. Springtime is the best season to lay down fire ant bait since it’s the time where they are most active in looking for food.
5. Pavement ant
Pavement ants may vary in appearance from darkish brown to black color, and they’re commonly 1/8 inch (3 mm) long. As implied by their name, these types of ants may form their nests in or under cracks in pavements. Likewise, they’re discovered in sands and soils under patios, sidewalks, and driveways. Pavement ants are also attracted to food items, particularly those that are sweet or greasy.
6. Thief ant
Thief ants have a yellow to light or dark brown appearance and are considered the smallest type of pests with their size measuring only up to 1/16 inch. Worker thief ants have an oblong abdomen and smooth body, while the queen has a thicker body and larger abdomen.
They’re also commonly known as grease ant because they mostly feed on high-protein foods such as meats, fats, and greasy foods. They’re outdoor dwellers but may sneak inside homes to search for food sources. Their colonies can be found almost anywhere indoors in cracks, holes, cabinets, cupboards, and under kitchen sinks.
7. Pharaoh ant
Pharaoh ants are yellow or orange in color with a dark abdomen and measure about 1/16 inch in length. Like grease ants, they’re very tiny and difficult to control as they can breed and multiply quickly. They like to hide their colonies in humid areas such as corners in bathrooms and kitchens, around sinks and toilets, under door frames, or behind baseboards and appliances.
They were believed to be one of the plagues in ancient Egypt which earned them the name Pharaoh ant. Moreover, they’re also known as sugar ants as they like to feed on sweets as well as other insects and fatty foods. They may become a serious concern as they carry infectious pathogens like salmonella and streptococcus.
How Ant Baits Work
Baits are easy and inexpensive ant killers at home. An effective ant trap will lure out the worker ant, have them bring back small quantities of the bait to their nest, feed it to the queen, and recruit other workers to the trap until they’re eliminated. They can come in solid (powder or granular bait) or liquid forms.
Solid ant baits and liquid ant baits are usually applied along ant trails or directly in their nests. While solid baits are typically carried back to the nests, liquid baits are ingested by foraging ants and distributed quickly to the rest of the ant colony.
What’s crucial for the bait to work is to determine what substance or ingredient will be used. There are different approaches to creating homemade ant bait trap to help control ant infestations such as:
1. Baking soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is known as a natural insecticide. Its composition contains an acid mineral that proves fatal to many insects like roaches, bugs, and ants. They also consist of granules that can penetrate through the body of pests and cause internal bleeding in their stomachs.
To create bait using baking soda, combine and mix equal parts of baking soda and powdered sugar in a small lid or shallow container. Place it in the area where ants usually pass through. There’s an option to add sweets like jam, peanut butter, or honey in the mixture to attract ants.
Boric acid is a substance processed from borax (sodium tetraborate), which is a mineral used in most cosmetics, household cleaners, and detergent products. It’s considered a strong pesticide that can directly impact the stomachs, nervous systems, and exoskeletons of ants. It’s easily found in most grocery stores and pharmacies.
It’s important to balance boric acid with the food that will be used as bait. There’s a chance that too much boric acid can subdue the aroma and taste of the bait, and ants may not consume it. Depending on how much ant food will be used, the bait would consist of about 3/4 of a teaspoon of boric acid.
3. Diatomaceous earth (DE)
This is a type of solid ant killer that’s sprinkled along their usual ant trail. Diatomaceous earth is a powder made up of diatoms which are a fossilized type of algae. Its microscopic pieces can be likened to shards of broken glass that can cut through the ants’ skin. When the outer layer of their body is scratched or pierced, their fluids will dry up and they’ll die of dehydration.
4. Commercial bait
An ant bait station or dispenser is an example of commercial bait. They can be filled with either liquid or solid ant bait and installed into the ground or areas where ants frequently leave their trail. Among the popular commercial bait traps are Terro Liquid Ant Bait and Raid Ant Bait.
Since sugar ants are also drawn to sweet food, a gel bait can also be used. Most gel ant baits have a sweet formulation that can attract ants. It can be either squeezed directly into the cracks and crevices or used in a small amount and placed onto a piece of masking tape before attaching to surfaces.
5. Castile soap
For homemade repellent insecticide sprays, castile soap is an essential ingredient that can kill ants indoors almost instantly. It’s made from petroleum or essential oils which can dissolve the bodies of the insects and eventually kill them from suffocation. To make a Castile soap spray, mix 1/4 cup of the liquid with 1 quart of water. Pour the liquid ant bait on a spray bottle and shake before using.
After you determine the type of bait that will be used, the next step is to know how to manage and strategically place the trap for it to be effective. Here are some tips to help with ant control:
Inspect the area — Proper bait placement is the key to effectively mitigate their movements. It’s important to find the places where ants come and go. The kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room are common indoor locations of ant activity. Baits should be placed out of reach of children and pets, but near where the ant bases are so it will effectively lure them.
Have enough bait — Make sure to provide enough bait and replenish it daily. Ants may immediately empty the bait and leave the area before it spreads within the colony if the bait is not refilled. Large ant colonies may also require more baits. Keep on checking and restocking the bait for 3 to 4 days until there are no more signs of ant activity in the area.
Remove food sources — There should be no other food items accessible to the ants so they won’t be distracted from finding the bait. If possible, apply the bait in areas where there’s no food so that there won’t be risks of food contamination in the household.
Have patience — Ant baits are slow-acting and take time to completely eradicate infestations. Smaller ant infestations may be controlled within 24 to 48 hours, while larger colonies may take up to a week to attain complete elimination.
As a general rule of thumb, ant baits should be kept away from children. Most store-bought insecticides contain harmful substances that can irritate upon direct contact with the skin or eyes. Even homemade baits, especially those that use a boric acid mixture, may be damaging when exposed to the kids. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of exposure of toddlers to ant bait products. However, washing off the bait by rinsing the mouth, skin, or eyes may provide relief and prevent further complications.
Eliminate Ant Colonies at Home With Positive Pest Management
Ant infestations at home can be frustrating and worrying. Fortunately, anyone can buy or create their own ant baits to easily solve their ant problem indoors. Available in solid or liquid bait, they’re generally safe and work efficiently in baiting ants to eliminate the entire colony for good.
Pest management services are also widely available today. We, at Positive Pest Management, strive to provide convenient, hassle-free, and efficient solutions for ant control. We have dedicated and capable staff who specialize in providing high-quality extermination work that can get rid of pests for good. Contact us now for a free estimate and learn more about our pest control services.
