This article features some of the best ant baits and gels in the market for use to achieve long term ant pest control.
Ant baits is one of the most effective way to get rid of ants. They are also one of the best method that promise a long term stop to ant problems.
Ant baits contains both insecticides and attractants where ants are attracted to take the ‘bait’ thinking they are food and bring the food (poison) back to the ant colony and share with the queen as well as other ants. Hence potentially destroying the entire colony.
Most ant baits come packaged with the mixture of insecticide and food attractant in a plastic container. It works behind-the-scene and are a no mess and fuss approach to get rid of ants.
[May: Ants have a sweet and protein cycle. Try using both or alternating between sugar-based bait and protein-based bait to increase effectiveness.]
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using ant bait and gel:
- Effective
- Simple to set-up
- Set-and-forget type of ant control
- Potentially gets rid of ants completely in the long term
- Does not provide instant kill
- Ants might not take bait if applies wrongly
TERRO T300B 2-Pack Liquid Ant Baits
Known for their Ant killer products, this liquid ant bait by Terro is specifically designed to kill ants in two to three days, giving enough time for foraging ants to share bait with the rest.
To set up – hold bait upright and cut off the colored part before placing bait. Depending on the size of the infestation, complete ant control may take up to two weeks.
Each pack comes with 6 ant baits.
- Pre-filled & ready-to-use
- Attracts ants fast
- Works on all common household ants
- Patented design prevents bait from drying out
Advion Ant Gel
The Advion Ant Bait Gel is designed for both indoors and outdoors.
It kills most ants species including:Harvester, Carpenter, Crazy, Ghost, Honey, Odorous House, Pavement, Fire Ant, Rover, Little Black, White Footed and others.
To apply – simply squeeze thin line(s) near the ant trait (not on them or in their path).
- Can be used both indoor and outdoor
- Strong attractant
- Works on most ants species
- Bait is exposed
Tip 2: Bait near entrance of ant nest if possible.
>> Best Granular Ant Bait
Advance 375A Ant Granular Bait
This Ant Bait by Advance 375A is a granular bait formulated for use both indoors and outside. It’s formulated by combining a mixture of delayed-action insecticide (known as Abamectin) and ant attractant.
It works on most common ant species like the Little Black ants, Crazy ants, the Argentine ants, Fire ants, Odorous House ants, Field ants, Big headed ants, Pharaoh ants and more.
- Ready-to-use
- Does not get wet easily
- Works on wide range of ants
- Great alternative/ variety to sugar-based bait
>> Related article: Best Ant Spray
>> Best Fire Ant Bait
Advion Fire Ant Bait
Advion fire ant bait uses effective and fast acting ingredients combined with attractants to ensure control of fire ants within 1 to 3 days.
It is designed for both broadcast and mound treatment, and works on all life stages of ants.
Broadcast Treatments – Treat using broadcast equipment that’s capable of applying 1.5 pounds per acre. Calibrate and adjust broadcast equipment accordingly to ensure proper rate of application. Retreat after every 12 to 16 weeks if needed.
Individual Mound Treatments – Do not apply directly to the tops of ant mound. For each mound, apply 4 tablespoons (about 0.5 oz) 3 – 4 feet around the mound(s). Retreat after every 12 to 16 weeks if necessary. (Note: bait must be applied when it’s dry outside).
- Controls fire ants in 24 to 72 hours
- Effective on all life stages of the ant
- Designed to kill fire ants, pavement ants & bigheaded ants
Maxforce Ant Bait Gel Poison
The Maxforce Ant Bait Gel is a sugar-based bait that used Fipronil as its active Ingredient. It controls a wide range of ants including Sugar ants, Argentine ants, Little black ants, Ghost ants, Odorous House ants and Pavement ants.
To apply – Squeeze gel in spots, into cracks and crevices. For best results, place many spots of dabs of gel where ants can be seen foraging and entering.
This gel bait will stay effective and attractive to ants for up to two weeks (inspect gel and reapply as needed).
- Great for spot application
- Remains effective for up to 2 weeks
- Controls wide range of ants
- Plastic plunger included
- Not on the cheap side
Combat Ant Killing Gel Bait
The Combat Ant Gel Bait features high water content allowing faster feeding that starts killing within hours and provides control within 3 to 5 days.
It’s ready-to-use and allows application directly from the syringe for fast, easy application in cracks and crevices that are hard to reach. It works both indoors and outdoors, and doesn’t require much for it to work.
>> Available in these sizes: 1 pack, 2 pack & 4 pack
- High water content
- Ready-to-use
- Strong killing content
- Strong killing that might kill ants before reaching its nest
Optigard Ant Bait Gel (with plunger)
The Optigard Ant gel bait is formulated to target a wide spectrum of ants both indoor and outdoor. Its clear and odorless bait gel attracts ant to consume while its Thiamethoxam active ingredient offers effective long term killing control.
It works on ghost ants, argentine ants, pharaoh ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, harvester ants and more.
[May: Avoid the mistake of putting the bait along the the walking pathway as ants will swarm to it.]
- Odorless
- Plunger included
- Highly attractive to ants
- Works on most species of ants
- Works both indoor and outdoor
In Conclusion
Ant baits works behind the scene and is perhaps one of our top favourite way of getting rid of ants that just kept marching into the house to search for food.
Do make sure to keep kids and especially pets away [May: Simply don’t allow them to enter the room where the treatment is placed]. Also to ensure not using ant insecticides or repellents near ant bait as it will very likely defeat the logic behind how ant bait works.
Lastly, be sure to be patient and smart when applying and setting up ant baits (pouring or dripping bait gel directly over the ant or ant mound just send a big signal to ants that it’s probably not something good.
Now over to you.. Have you tried using ant bait to treat your ant problem? What are your thoughts? Do you prefer sugar-based or protein-based ant bait? Leave a comment to let us know.