5 Best Ant Killers for Lawns

Ants can be a huge problem for homeowners, and they are especially prevalent in the summer months. That is why you may need one of the special ant killers for lawns. 

Reasons to buy ant killers for lawns

Ant infestations spread much quicker when there’s an easy pathway from the ground level into the upper regions of plants where insects take shelter and lay eggs.

Many types of ant killers are available for use in lawns, including powders and granules that can be spread across an area to kill ants as they meet it (or you could create a barrier line by spreading around the perimeter). 

It’s also possible to apply liquids directly onto anthills or other areas where invasive populations have been spotted. There is no one type of product that will work best for everyone – because each yard has different needs.

If you have a problem with ants in your yard, then this is the guide for you. A few experts will provide product reviews and information on the best ant killers for lawns that are currently available. Ants can make it difficult to enjoy time outside if they’re constantly invading your space and stealing food from picnics or barbecues. Learn how to keep these pests away so that you can spend more time outdoors.

Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules – the Editor’s choice!

Ortho Fire Ant Killer can help you get your yard back on track as these granules provide 6 months of protection and treat up to 5,000 sq. ft. with one easy application. These outdoor ant killers kill fire ants in 15 minutes so you can finally sit down outside again knowing your lawn is protected from those annoying critters.

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Dedicated to keeping (and even extending) your lawn free of mounds for 6 months, this product is no joke. It prevents new mounds from forming and kills existing ones in minutes.

In addition, this stuff is super easy to use, just sprinkle it wherever there’s an unwanted mound and boom – no more biting red ants on your morning toast.

Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules is the fast, easy way to kill troublesome fire ants. This product kills ant mounds in 15 minutes and you can eliminate up to 5,000 square feet of risk area for just 11.5 pounds.

Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer – the best coverage!

The BugClear Lawn Insect Killer is made of microscopic granules that get on insects’ skin just as fingerprints do.

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Another great aspect of this product is you don’t have to worry about any accidental ingestion or contact with the insecticide when it comes in contact with a child or pet because one serving won’t harm them at all!

Secure and protect your yard against annoying insects, indoor or outdoor. Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer is an all-natural formula that’s good for your lawn and herbaceous plants. After applying Ortho, you’ll start to see results in minutes (except fire ants), and it keeps killing for up to 6 months after treatment.

Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer is a powerful fire ant killer. This powerhouse product starts working in minutes and continues to kill bugs for weeks! Kills by contact, works above ground and below your feet.

EcoSMART Insect Killer Granules – the best environmentally-friendly formula!

If bug spray isn’t your thing, then this EcoSMART product is for you. It’s made of all organic and nontoxic ingredients, so it won’t wreak havoc on the environment around your house. Use it to get rid of spiders, ticks, fleas, gnats, and ants-it will take care of them without hurting children or pets in the process.

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One packet lasts about six hours once spread around a sprayed location-and the scent fades away after three to four hours so there’s no lingering smell. The granules are safe for people and for lawns! Take care of those little pests with just one natural product instead of chemicals that have harmful side effects on both humans and nature alike!

With the EcoSMART Insect Killer Granules you can safely and effectively kill countless insects in your home without harming the environment or your pets and children – not a bad deal!

Ortho BugClear Insect Killer for Lawns & Landscapes Concentrate – the best for versatile use!

The Ortho BugClear Insect Killer eliminates bugs, including ants, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and spiders. It provides long-lasting control and starts killing within minutes after application with a tank sprayer or Ortho Dial N’ Spray. Made from concentrated ingredients that are easy to use and start working quickly, it is versatile and effective.

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It can also be used on lawns, around the perimeter of your home, and when applied to plants like ornamentals, flowers (use one teaspoon per gallon of water), trees (1/2 or 1-ounce concentrate per gallon of water), shrubs (1 tablespoon concentrate per gallon of water).

This Ortho product starts killing pests within minutes. It’s great around the home, but it can also be sprayed on your lawn or given as gifts to people with lawns.

Spectracide 96472-1 Fire Ant Shield Yard Protection Granules – the best for outside use!

Spectracide 96472-1 Fire Ant Shield Yard Protection is the best for outdoor use only. When applied to the yard in an even layer, this product kills 98% of fire ants and their queen. It also prevents new mound formation by killing any eggs before they hatch.

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It may be tempting to buy cheaper brands because they can’t contain chemical formulations like these – but don’t worry, these Spectracide products have your back! The granules won’t leave a residue on your hands or clothes when you apply them – so you don’t need protective gloves when using our stuff indoors either.

Don’t worry about their smell either because there is none. If you do happen to have pets in the house, they should remain safe as well since the product does not contain toxins that may harm cats and dogs.

Spread these granules around your house and get rid of the pesky ants for good. It will kill the colony immediately, so you can say goodbye to your ant problem once and for all.

The Buyer’s Guide

Bait or Contact Ant Killers?

There are two main types of ant killers. Bait or contact poisons that work by being eaten by the ants, and bait or contact poisons that work through direct contact with the poison:

1. Bait ant killers work by using a food that is irresistible to ants. Ants eat the bait and then bring it back to their colony where they share with other ants, which ultimately kills them all. Baits can be in granules or liquid form but are made of different types of sugars such as glucose syrup, fruit juices or sweeteners like honey. They are safer for pets and children because if ingested will not cause any health issues (i.e. stomachaches);
2. Contact pesticides contain dangerous chemicals that kill ants on contact so there’s no need to worry about ingesting anything harmful into your body when applying these products around homes and yards. While this type of killing method may seem more effective than bait, it’s not. Contact pesticides only kill the ants that are in direct contact with the chemical and this method also has a higher risk of accidental poisoning for children or pets if they come into contact with them as well;

When choosing between bait and contact ant killers, always go with baits because you can target specific areas to apply the product without worrying about harming your family or pet. You can put down granules along ant trails, which is where most ants will be seen during warmer months since these places provide warmth and food sources for pests. Also, before applying any products around your home make sure to read all safety precautions on each container first so there won’t be any accidents.

If you want to get rid of ants quickly, make sure that the products are labeled as “fast kill” or have a contact time less than 24 hours so they will be eliminated before they can spread and reproduce more pests in your yard! This is especially important for people living near water since these insects love moist environments where there are plenty of food sources available. The sooner you treat an infestation with fast acting pesticides, the better chance you have at completely eradicating them from your lawn permanently.

Ants will not eat a poisoned food if they detect it has been treated beforehand; so an important step in making sure your bait is effective is to use something like flour as a carrier for the toxicant. You can also mix sugar water with boric acid powder (carefully!) before leaving it out for them to find overnight.

Liquid or Granules?

Liquid ant killer is a good option for those who don’t want to deal with the mess and hassle of getting granules on their hands, or in contact with their skin. They also work more quickly than granulated ant killers. Granular products create less mess but take longer time to set up before they can be used so may be better suited for an infested area where you need it done as soon as possible.

Some people prefer using a bait that they can place along the perimeter of their home and/or in problem areas outside where there may be more ants than usual. Others like broadcasting powder around the foundation of their house with no-stick application tape to kill wasps, bees and other insects as well as ants. 

Liquid treatments also come in handy when kids have been playing near an anthill or if there has recently been heavy rainfall which could cause erosion issues that will only worsen over time (especially if your property borders any type of wooded area). If you plan to apply the liquid to a large area, make sure you use the correct sprayer or hose end applicator that will deliver even coverage.

Natural or Chemical-Based?

Many homeowners are wary of the chemicals that some products use to eliminate ants on their lawns, while others find natural solutions unpalatable for various reasons. If you’re concerned about chemical pesticides being used in your yard and its effects on people or pets present at home, you may want to consider only using natural-based insect killers like hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper powder instead. 

These substances can be sprayed directly onto an ant colony without endangering anyone nearby, but they work just as well as any other killer if applied correctly.  Chemical-based insect killers, on the other hand, work by killing ants directly.

How Does Ant Bait Work?

Most ant baits are made of sugar, water and borax. Mix the components together to create a paste that ants will find irresistible – it contains just enough sugar to attract them but not enough for other insects like wasps or flies to be attracted by more than an inadvertent nibble. Ants eat this mixture on their way back from food gathering excursions (often carrying some with them), ingesting the poison in the process. 

As they go about their day-to-day business, they share what’s inside themselves around their colony: dying ants pass out borax crystals as well as parts of poisoned ones along with anything else within reach, including eggs and larvae left at home during these trips outside the nest boundary. The colony dies gradually, as if it had been hit by an exterminator.

The key to success is getting ants attracted to the bait in order for them to carry poison back home with them and share it among their colony. Ant baits work over time so patience will be needed (usually 30-60 days) before achieving a complete kill of all ant colonies on your property – especially when ground conditions are dry or during cold seasons where ants don’t come out much. 

For best results use multiple methods at once: perimeter treatments along exterior walls and entrances that lead into structures and interior areas like kitchens, bathrooms and pantries; food lure traps inside these same indoor spaces; broadcast sprays applied around outdoor structures like decks, patios, sheds, utility sheds, or doorways.

The ants will die at their nest (or in this case, on your property) so there is less chance of being exposed to harmful chemicals because you have a lower risk of getting sick from the bait as it does not leave the perimeter like other pesticides do. Application rates are low too which means that you can use the borax ant poison with confidence knowing that those who live nearby won’t be harmed either. 

FAQ

What do professionals use to kill ants:

1. Mirex. This product is effective and won’t harm people or pets. It kills ants by contact, not ingestion, so they die outside rather than in your home. One downside to this solution is that it takes up to 48 hours for worker ants to be killed that means you may see some crawling around before the treatment starts working. This product can also cause damage if used incorrectly as it contains a poison called malathion (which has been banned from use on crops). Mirex should only be sprayed outdoors in dry weather when there are no high winds because of its tendency to drift off target;
2. Ant stakes. Ant stakes work great against black ants but have limited effectiveness on other types of ant. Ant stakes are made from a wood fiber that is impregnated with a slow-acting insecticide. The ant stakes will break down over time and release the pesticide into the ground, so they act as both an immediate deterrent for ants but also work to prevent future infestations by killing off their eggs;
3. Borax. Borax can be used in two ways – either sprinkled on your lawn or mixed with water to create a borax solution which you then pour around areas where ants congregate (such as near trash cans). It’s nontoxic for humans and pets but it takes up to 48 hours before worker ants die after contact. One downside of using this product is that because it doesn’t kill ants through ingestion it doesn’t kill the queen as well;
4. Diatomaceous Earth. This organic product can be used to deter ants from entering your home or other areas where they are unwelcome. It works by literally drying them up – it kills insects and arthropods but not mammals, birds or beneficial bugs such as bees because its tiny particles don’t penetrate human skin like some poisons do (think of how easily you can cut yourself on a broken piece of glass). The downside to this treatment is that it needs to be reapplied after rain so make sure you keep an eye out for signs of ant activity before applying again. You also need to wear gloves when using diatomaceous earth since direct contact can cause mild skin irritation;
5. Concentrated Liquid Ant Baits. These are the most common type of ant bait and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to fit any need you have. One downside of these is that they can attract other insects such as ants or roaches that could increase your infestation problem if not controlled correctly. Another downside is that some people find them unsightly because they resemble little sticks with liquid on top (think about how unattractive those packs of cigarettes often look);

How do you kill ants without killing grass?

The use of pesticides that are hazardous to the environment is counter-intuitive, so it’s best not to spray something that could kill your grass in order to prevent ants from going on a walk. Instead, you need to take a different approach when killing ants without harming the lawn and other vegetation around them. One option would be using boric acid or diatomaceous earth (DE). 

Both are toxicants but they won’t harm the plants or animals around them because they’re applied directly onto where you want all ants killed–the nest itself. Boric acid does have some side effects if ingested by humans and insects though, although this can just mean putting up warning signs for anyone who might come near it while treating for an ant problem.

Boric acid is a powdery white substance that can be sprinkled or dusted around the area of ants. It’s toxic to them but not harmful for humans, and it needs time to take effect so you have to keep reapplying throughout the day if necessary. It also doesn’t work against fire ant species – you’ll need an insecticide like diatomaceous earth (DE) for those instead. 

Diatomaceous earth has particles of silica on its surface that are sharp enough to cut through any bug crawling on top of it when they walk across it in order to get their food. Ants die after crawling over this because they become dehydrated from losing fluids as well as other side effects such as having their skin become irritated so they can’t move.

How do you get rid of ants in your lawn?

Ants in your lawn are usually the result of a food source, and they will continue to come back if you don’t take care of it. For instance, ants can be drawn to pet droppings or leftover crumbs from picnics on the grass. You might also notice ants clustering about plants near sidewalks where people walk by all day long. 

Ant nests may even exist underground close to buildings that have water leaks such as irrigation systems or sprinklers that leak onto ant-friendly turfgrass types like St. Augustine Grass. In all these cases, chances are good there is an easy solution for getting rid of them without pesticides.

Here’s what you can try to do:

• Clean up any standing liquids (from puddles) and food sources , such as pet food and picnics;
• Rake up leaves, nuts or other debris that may be attracting the ants to your lawn in the first place;
• Add boric acid powder (sold at garden centers) around areas where you’ve found ant piles – they don’t like this stuff;

This will discourage future activity of these unwanted pests on your property. Furthermore, make sure water doesn’t accumulate near building foundations with porous concrete which can provide an underground moisture source for colonies to live nearby. Finally, if there is a leaky irrigation system, fix it right away before more damage occurs from soil erosion and root damage caused by excessive watering.

These types of problems should not typically require pesticide treatments unless heavy infestations have occurred.

Does vinegar kill ants in the yard?

Yes, but it is a weak solution. It usually takes about three cups of vinegar to kill ant colonies in the yard. Vinegar can also be mixed with other cleaners like dish soap and water for even better results as well as adding essential oils to create more potent solutions.

Does bleach kill ants?

Bleach doesn’t kill ants, but it does work as an ant repellant. This means that the bleach-saturated area will smell of toxic fumes and deter ants from traversing through it. But you can use a diluted mixture of water and bleach to create a more effective ant killer spray substance. 

Mix one part bleach with nine parts water in a bottle or jar before shaking well for at least 15 seconds. Pour the solution into your chosen spraying device, such as a hand pump aerosol canister, garden hose or watering can along with two tablespoons worth of dish soap (baby shampoo also works). The concoction should be sprayed on full door frames, windowsills and any other entrances where ants could potentially cross over indoors during daylight hours. The bleach will have to be reapplied at least once a week.

Can ants ruin your lawn?

Yes, ants can be a pest and cause damage to your lawn. Ants will come in search of food or water after they have been driven out by natural predators – birds, spiders, scorpions, snakes. Therefore, it is important to keep the area around your home free from excess moisture that would attract these little invaders. You should also make sure there are no piles of dead insects (like near windows) because this could attract an ant colony looking for a place to nest.

How do you permanently get rid of ants outside?

One way could be using insect repellents as well as sealants that contain ingredients such as hydramethylnon or methoprene – toxic chemicals can kill ants, but also other insects such as bees and butterflies. These products will not only harm the environment and wildlife, but they are expensive to apply.

There are no insecticides that target just ants alone so if you have a pest problem with more than one type of ant species then it’s time for an exterminator or botanical remedy.

Another way is to water your lawn early in the morning before the heat gets too high during summer months because this attracts them since moisture helps their colonies grow by providing food and shelter from extreme weather conditions. This would mean watering every day until evening though! You may need extra help from a gardener depending on how big your garden is.

Some people also recommend using a natural remedy such as diatomaceous earth which is made up of the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic creatures called diatoms that lived in ancient oceans. It’s highly effective on ants but you need to use it carefully since this product can be toxic if used improperly or inhaled too much so make sure you wear gloves and goggles when applying it! Just sprinkle some into their colonies to keep them out.

What is the best homemade ant killer?

The raw truth is that if you want an effective ant killer spray, it’s best to look for one with ingredients like these: borax (a natural mineral), diatomaceous earth, sugar water or liquid dish soap. Borax and sugar water are both 100% safe ant killers as they only kill the ants by dehydrating them gradually over time without leaving any toxic residue behind around your home. 

Liquid hand soaps containing high levels of citrus oils can also work well too since citrus oil has been shown in laboratory studies to disrupt the chemical communications between worker ants on food-gathering missions inside homes and other buildings. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with glycerin also works well as a natural ant killer that’s non-toxic to pets and humans.

What attracts ants to your yard?

Ants are attracted to your yard for many reasons. There are a few things that attract them: spilled syrup on countertops; crumbs from bread or cookies left out; dirty dishes piled up in the sink with chunks of leftover food clinging at the edges of plates and  bowls; a leaky faucet or pipe under the sink dripping into a basin.

Ants love moist areas – they can’t survive in dry conditions without human assistance. The best way to protect against ants is by minimizing the amount of moisture you have around the outside of your home and tackling any bug infestations as soon as possible.

Can salt kill ants?

Salt will not kill ants. It is too much of an indirect method to really be effective at killing them, and the salt in your yard won’t make that big a difference for you either. You would have to use lots of it on every inch of soil where there are ants – which means putting it right next to their little homes–in order for this technique to work well enough to eradicate colonies. 

But even then, they can merely scatter rather than die off entirely because so many are being killed by the substance; some will live just fine. This form of chemical warfare does not provide any lasting benefits and should only be tried as a last resort if nothing else has worked at all. The more quickly you exterminate these pests, the better for your lawn and garden.

What can you put around your house to keep ants away?

Ants are not a problem that you can ignore. They’re annoying and it’s hard to get rid of them once they’ve infested your house or yard. You’ll want to take care of the ants as soon as possible so they don’t leave behind an ant trail everywhere. 

If this is happening, then these DIY solutions should help:

• Put some lemon grass around outside your house–the smell will keep ants away from potential food sources like garbage cans where you would normally find kitchen scraps left out on the street;
• Sprinkle cinnamon on your lawn, which also has great repellent properties for ants because of its natural oils. Ants won’t cross over the line if there is a strong scent blocking their path;
• Make a solution of water and dish soap to coat your kitchen counters and other areas that ants can get into your house from. This will keep them out, but isn’t harmful for humans or pets like regular ant poisons are;

Does killing ants attract more?

No. Killing ants does not attract more – in fact, it’s quite the opposite! Ants are attracted to food sources and as such they will swarm over ant bait stations or even a pile of sugar if this is what you have out on your property. If there are no food sources around them then the colony may be dormant for some time until new food sources come along. So killing off an entire colony (or just one queen) won’t bring any unwanted guests back into your yard!

Useful Video: Best Outdoor Ant Killers in 2020 – Top 5 Ant Killers for Your Lawn and Garden

Final thoughts 

If you’re looking for a way to keep ants out of your yard, then this guide has just what you need. The experts have included some product reviews and highlighted the best ant killers available on the market today so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase one. Simply choose from the list of recommendations based on your preferences and budget. It’s never too late to start enjoying your outdoor space again.