Lawns are among the most reliable food sources for ants, making yards and lawns frequent targets, which is why the best ant killer for lawns is a necessary investment. Most ants usually live outdoors, and as much as they are good for the earth by making it fertile when they infest your lawn, it becomes unusable for pets and children. The best ant killer for lawns should clear all pests quickly but also protect your lawn from future infestations.
Notably, there are multiple options on the market, and it can be challenging to decide on the best option. Therefore, we have curated a list of the best ant killers for your lawn and added a buying guide to help you choose the one you need.
After thoroughly comparing the effectiveness, longevity, application ease, and ingredient safety of multiple products, we concluded that the best outdoor ant killer is the Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits. Again, the fact that it’s a non-toxic ant killer makes it our top option.
Cutter Backyard Bug Control is our second choice thanks to its effectiveness and
ease of installation. This ant killer kills fast and lasts longer than other options, providing weeks of control against different ant species and other household pests. This product only comes in second because it can't eliminate very large colonies like the Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits.
The third ant killer we selected, the budget pick, is the Safer Diatomaceous Earth-Bed Bug Ant Killer. This product is also effective and relatively affordable compared to the other two we have mentioned above.
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1. Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits
- Kills the ants you see and the ants you don’t
- Pre filled bait stations are ready to use
- Contains sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Borax) (5.40%) and other...
- Flexible placement: in the ground using the stakes or on decks,...
- Patented station protects the bait from the elements, prevents it...
If you are looking for a product that will effectively eliminate lawn ants in a short time, then the Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Traps are the best option. The product was specially designed to eliminate the entire colony. It was designed to attract workers, and once they find the sweet bait, they consume it and leave a trail, which alerts other ants who come to seek it.
Image Source: Terro.com
We found it to be the best outdoor ant killer for lawns because it took a short time to eliminate and control ant infestations compared to other baits, as it only takes 24 to 48 hours to work. Again, it helped eliminate an infestation of any size as well as any insect, including cockroaches, ants, spiders, and wasps.
The Terro liquid ant baits also come repacked and filled, and you can use them immediately, making the process less time-consuming and easier. However, Terro outdoor ant baits cannot stay in one place for a long time as they thicken and solidify, reducing their effectiveness.
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2. Cutter Backyard Bug Control
- KILLS FAST: Kills mosquitoes, listed ant types, fleas and other...
- QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Hose-end-sprayer activates spray at...
- LASTS ALL SUMMER: Controls up to 12 weeks against house crickets,...
- COVERAGE: Treats up to 5,000 square feet of lawn
- NO MIXING REQUIRED: Attach the sprayer to a garden hose to treat...
Cutter Backyard Bug Control is an effective ant killer as it kills all ants, including the carpenter ant, fleas, mosquitoes, or any other pesky insects present in your yard. The product came in a 32-ounce bottle that we used to treat up to 5000 square feet of our lawn. The amazing thing is that once we sprayed it on our lawn, its strength lasted for up to four weeks.
Image Source: Cutter.com
The Cutter Backyard Bug Control also came with a flip-hose-end spray that made it even easier to connect to our garden hose and spray it from that point. We found it intriguing that the product came with a detailed guide on how to use it. The most important thing to remember is to shake the container before use.
Even better, this liquid ant killer was unscented and did not leave any residue. This made it safe for us to use around children and pets, enabling our family to play in the yard without experiencing any effects.
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3. Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth-Bed Bug Ant Killer
- Diatomaceous earth-based powder is a highly effective ant killer;...
- Kills insects by ingestion/dehydration within 48 hours indoors or...
- Also for bed bug, cockroach, flea, earwig, silverfish, cricket,...
- Insects cannot develop an immunity to this product unlike...
- Formula contains 100% Diatomaceous Earth
Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth-Bed Bug Ant Killer is another excellent option that we found equally effective. The product was made with 100% ground diatomaceous earth and came in an airtight bag that included a powder duster for better application. Also, the bait was all-natural and free of chemical components, so insects didn't develop resistance.
Image Source: Saferbrand.com
The Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth ant killer was pet and child safe, even though the dry powder became airborne during application and caused minor irritation to our throat. The bait’s mechanical action killed different ant species, including argentine ants, pavement ants, and odorous house ants, in 24 to 48 hours, effectively eliminating the problem and leaving our lawn free of ants.
This best outdoor ant killer punctures the exoskeleton when ants encounter it, and this dries out their lipids and removes the barrier that prevents dehydration, causing the ants to dry out and die. The only downside was that the lawn ant killer lacked an expiration date like other ant bait products. But it features fossilized remains that will not go off.
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4. Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait Granules
- Baits and kills ants outside before they come inside
- Kills the queen and the entire colony
- Kills fire ants, carpenter ants and 23 other ant species
- Creates a barrier around your home for maximum protection from...
- Shake ant bait around the perimeter of your home to kill ants
Another effective ant killer for lawns was the Amdro Ant Block Home Perimeter Ant Bait Granules. The product provided maximum effectiveness and worked well to kill the entire colony by releasing a slow-acting toxin or poison. The worker ants usually carry the bait and take it back to the colony as food to share, where it kills the queen, and the larvae who eat it also die.
Image Source: thdstatic.com
The outdoor ant bait is designed to taste like food, and we applied it around the perimeter of our yard, and any ants in contact came across the bait and left a trail for other workers to find the same bait and carry it back to the nest.
The Amdro Ant Block ant bait we used featured hydramethylnon, a metabolic inhibitor, as the active ingredient, meaning the pesticides attacked the metabolic system, which resulted in an inability to perform basic functions and thus caused dehydration and starvation.
Even better, the application was super easy. We only needed to apply it by shaking the granules out in a wide band around the perimeter of our home, and it took about 7 to 14 days to kill the whole colony.
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5. TERRO T300 Liquid Ant Baits
- Attracts & Kills – Kills common household ants including...
- Kills the Ants You See & the Ones You Don't – As worker ants...
- Works Fast – You should see a significant decrease in the...
- Ready to Use – Place the bait stations, watch it attract ants,...
- Use Throughout Your Home – Place stations near areas where...
Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant is another effective product that you can use to eliminate ants in a short time, and it is designed to eliminate the entire colony. These liquid ant baits are designed to attract workers, and once they find the sweet bait, they consume it and leave a trail, which alerts other ants who come to seek it.
We added this to the list of best ant killers for lawns because it will take a short while compared to other baits, as it only takes 24 to 48 hours to work. The Liquid baits we ordered came repacked and filled, and you can use them immediately, making the process less time-consuming and easy. However, the ant baits cannot stay in one place for a long time as they thicken and solidify, reducing effectiveness.
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What Are the Types of Outdoor Ant Killing Products?
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There are several types of outdoor ant killers. Most of them contain a slow-acting insecticide known as borax. Its nature will take advantage of the ant’s social nature, infecting the queen, larvae, and the entire colony. Some of the types include:
A) Liquid Baits (Liquids and Gels)
This liquid ant bait is a sweet solution used as the attractant or bait station, whereas the gel baits are dispensed with a syringe, which can be great for the hard-to-reach areas that normal granules and traps would not reach.
B). Sprays
A range of liquid sprays and aerosols are available as contact killers and barriers that will surround your home. So spraying this outdoor ant killer on the ant trail or around the house will act as a deterrent.
C). Solid Baits (Granules and Dust)
Granules are a type of protein bait that is applied by spreading on your lawn, and for the dust, they include such things as diatomaceous earth, which dries out the exoskeletons or nervous systems of ants and other insects. The granules might be better than diatomaceous earth because the rain might wash away most of the dust.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Ant Killer for Lawns
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1. Types of Ants
There are different species of ants, and they also get attracted to different things, some of which include:
A). Odorous Ant
Odorous ants are called so because they stink and are hard to squash because they are resilient, meaning they can stand up to soft and cheap ant treatments. Unfortunately, these types of ants are hard to eliminate because they can withstand a lack of food and adverse weather, so you have to use a strong product to avoid them establishing an inside colony.
B). Carpenter ants
Carpenter ants are probably one of the largest in yards, ranging from orangey-red to black, and have pronounced pincer jaws and large heads. A carpenter ant has strong jaws that dive into the wood and may cause plenty of damage to your home in a short time, so once you see them on your lawn, you should act fast.
C). Fire Ants
These fire ant species are prevalent pesky critters and safety risks because they sting and bite when threatened. The string makes a human feel like their skin is on fire and can last for a few hours with continuous itching around the area for up to a week. A single fire ant colony can have up to a million ants, and the fire ant mounds are the first sign to notice, but there’s probably a whole colony underground by the time you notice.
D). Ghost Ants
This type of ant is a tropical species and will often be seen in warm climates, and when the weather is cold outside, they will find a way into your home. The ghost ants are difficult to spot but are super active as they branch off from already established colonies and start new ones, and by the time you spot them, chances are they have already spread all over your yard or lawn.
2. Size of Lawn and Infestation
Whenever you are looking for a spray treatment or lawn-specific product, you will need to keep in mind your lawn size. This way, you will make a purchase that will fit your entire lawn area. Once you know your lawn’s size, check each product for the estimated area coverage. Also, remember to read the details carefully, as it may require you to apply the ant bait in a concentrated form for a large ant infestation or less if the ants are few and far between.
3. Waterproof
Since the lawn is outside, purchasing a waterproof ant killer is necessary to avoid the outdoor ant treatment being washed away during the bad weather. The best ant killer for lawns should have a formula that will not be washed away or blown away, which will mean you will use less money and make fewer applications.
Additionally, the waterproof outdoor ant killer will be more effective and fast-acting in dealing with the problem and reduce the risk of fire ants vacating your home. However, some of the best ant killers will use harsh chemicals that will make them weatherproof and effective, but they may also be harmful to your grass.
4. Pet- and Child-Friendly
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This is an important consideration for most yard owners because if you have kids and pets, the last thing you want is to use an ant-killing product that will be a health hazard for your children and pets. In addition, harsh formulas mean the product will only get applied when your pets and kids are away from your yard, which is not realistic. Therefore, most parents usually opt for home remedies or organic, all-natural products.
5. Bonus Features
Some of the best ant killers deal with ant infestations and work well with spiders, cockroaches, ants, and other insects. Therefore, if you have numerous pests on your lawn, you can choose a separate best ant killer for lawns or choose a versatile option to clear all your infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Ant Killers For A Lawn
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1. How Do I Permanently Eliminate Ants Outside?
To permanently kill ants, you will need to kill the entire colony. Many ant killers usually attract insects, which will then feed on the bait and then bring it to the queen, and when the queen dies, you are guaranteed the whole colony will die. However, a new ant colony can develop again, so permanent protection is not guaranteed even when you have killed the original colonies.
2. How Do I Eliminate Fire Ants From My Lawn Without Killing The Grass?
You can do this by creating a 2% insecticide spray by mixing one tablespoon of soap with a quarter of water, combining the mixture, and then putting the liquid into a spray bottle. Next, spray some soapy water on the plants and visible ant trails around the entire colony; the mixture will break down the ants’ resistance to water and eliminate them without killing your grass.
3. What Is The Ant Bait That Will Work Overnight?
Among the most effective ways to kill the colony is by using borax, which is a product that is 100% natural and is found in most ant and pest-control products. It is easily available at your nearest convenience store or supermarket. You will need to soak the borax mixture with cotton balls and then place your cotton balls near any ant trails to kill the ants around your home.
4. Can I get rid of ants without killing them?
One of the cheapest ways to get rid of ants naturally without killing them is by using table salt. Spreading some salt near the corners, nooks, cracks, and crevices where ants enter will ensure that the ants stay away. A salt line will act as a barrier, and a salt-boiling water solution spray will help repel the ants but not kill them.
5. What is the fastest way to get rid of ants in the yard?
The quickest way to get rid of ants in your yard is to use a vinegar and water mix. Ants despise vinegar, so construct a spray bottle filled half with vinegar and half with water. Just spray your mixture into all of the spots where they enter, and you won’t see these suckers again! If the ants are already inside, you may spray it directly on them to kill them.
6. What do professionals use to kill ants?
Ant traps are the most common method of ant extermination used by professionals. Terro Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits is one of the most recommended products used by most professionals. This pesticide works by appealing to the natural inclinations of ants. It makes use of the fact that ants adore sweet stuff.
As a result, most baits contain a piece of food with an appealing aroma or flavor to attract ants. They also include slow-acting chemicals that will kill the ant. This gives the worker ant plenty of time to consume and transport the remaining bait back to its colony before the component takes action. This enables the entire colony to be targeted.
7. What is an effective home remedy to keep ants away from the lawn?
White vinegar is a natural insect repellent that works effectively to prevent ants and other pests like mosquitoes. Spray your yard and clean hard surfaces, such as floors and worktops, using a 1-to-1 vinegar/water combination where ants are prone to congregate. If you find ants, spray them with the mixture or wipe them away with a paper towel.
8. How long does vinegar keep ants away?
Spraying a vinegar solution on ant trails may repel ants for 4 to 48 hours. It will not, however, kill or repel ants permanently. Vinegar’s acids degrade the smell trails that ants create as they move between their colony and a food source.
