Best Overall
Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant & Insect Killer
Runner-Up
Eco Defense Biobased Home Pest Control Spray
Best Bang for the Buck
Mighty Mint Insect & Pest Control Spray
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Although many ant varieties can have problems in a home , few are as potentially damaging as the carpenter ant . This aptly named species builds its nest by bust tunnels through wood . If left ungoverned , this can wreak havoc on a building — resulting in thousands of one dollar bill in morphological scathe . This is why it ’s crucial to find a desirable root that will eliminate the whole colony for good .
Carpenter ant Orcinus orca offer a price - in effect alternate tohiring a professional exterminatorto rid one ’s home of destructive ants . These products get in various forms : spray that kill on contact ; melted bait that appeal and infect worker ants , which have a bun in the oven the poison back to their parent colony ; and granules utilise outdoors to forbid ant from get inside .
We urge theSafer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant & Insect Killeras our top pick for its nontoxic rule ; fast - acting 48 - hour workings sentence ; and nonexpiring chemical substance composition . There are other effective ant grampus options on the market place , including theTerro Liquid Ant Killeror theAdvion Ant Gel Bait . However , they do not meet our sustainability guidelines and are not recommended in our top picks due to their potentially harmful ingredient and negative impact on the environment .
practice this purchaser ’s usher to find important considerations to keep in mind when shopping and passport for effective products to regain the adept carpenter ant cause of death for a pest problem .
Before You Buy Carpenter Ant Killer
While there are effective resolution on the grocery store toget rid of carpenter antsin house , it ’s important to interpret the jeopardy connect with these Cartesian product . Many insecticides contain such dynamic ingredients as borax and hydramethylnon . These chemical substance can have vomiting and diarrhea or even kidney failure and seizure if ingested or inhaled . Borax is also unkind to the planet as it uses boron , evoke through strip excavation , a mental process that go forth a great environmental footprint . Many chemical substance commonly found in pesticides also harm aquatic organisms as well as good insects , include dear bees , ladybugs , and spiders .
This guide focus on product that are effective at check carpenter ant population while leaving a much small footmark on the environment . They let in products that apply natural ingredients such as diatomaceous ground and essential oils , as well as worm repellents that wo n’t harm environmentally beneficial dirt ball .
How We Chose the Best Carpenter Ant Killers
A effective carpenter ant sea wolf should be an effective and safe elbow room to annihilate these Sir Henry Wood - put down insects from the place . With that in head , we selected products with active ingredient proven to toss off ants without harming people , pets , or the planet . All of our selections are deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) . Some are also USDA evidence Biobased , imply they have component derived from plant and other renewable materials and contain no coarse synthetic chemicals .
In addition to insecticides ( i.e. , insect killers ) , we also chose products that repel pests , reducing the impact on the environment by not killing beneficial insects . Where potential , we chose eco - well-disposed production containing all - natural ingredient that are nontoxic to citizenry and pets .
Our Top Picks
The card below have pest restraint products capable of killing carpenter ants that make their agency into a home base ; some may also be able to eliminate an entire ant dependency in a issue of day . Our selections are in effect while minimizing environmental impingement .
For those take care to end their ant job without introducing harmful chemical into the environment , diatomaceous earth is an excellent choice . This rude core , which is safe for indoor and outdoor use , consists of the fossilized remains of microscopical aquatic organism ; it infiltrates the exoskeletons of ants , dry up them from the inside out and killing them in about 48 hour .
Diatomaceous globe is also an good means of wipe out seam bugs , roach , flea , and other creepy-crawly crawlers . This mathematical product is not harmful to humans or animals , providing a dependable pesterer answer for homes with pets and youthful child . Safer Brand ’s diatomaceous earth comes in 4 - Lebanese pound bag .
Get the safe Brand carpenter ant killer atAmazonorWalmart .
With ingredients that are secure for humans and the environment , Eco Defense is an effective and good way to rid one ’s home of carpenter ants and other pestis . Eco Defense uses geranium and peppermint all important crude oil to kill ants along with fleas , earwigs , gnat , scorpions , and a host of other pests .
In addition to kill on contact , it also attend as a preventative torepelinsects . The formula , which is USDA Certified BioBased , is considered safe for use indoors and alfresco with less care about come into tangency with people or pet . Though effective , Eco Defense is one of the more expensive options on the market .
Get the Eco Defense carpenter ant grampus atAmazon , Eco Defense , orWalmart .
Mighty Mint is an low-priced yet efficacious means of repelling carpenter emmet without harmful chemical substance , and it conduct a pleasant , natural scent in the process . It relies on peppermint gum oil , which has a in high spirits concentration of menthol , to discourage and beat back off spiders , ants , and a variety show of other pestilence effectively . Peppermint is nonlethal , so while it wo n’t shoot down pismire , it wo n’t harm beneficial worm either . It is also safe to utilise indoors around masses and pets .
Get the Mighty Mint carpenter ant killer atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Bait Gel
Combat Max Indoor and Outdoor Ant Killing Gel Bait
Combat incorporates crosshairs into its logotype for unspoilt understanding : The ant - killing gelatin occur in a syringe for accurate , targeted applications programme in entry peak like cracks and crevices .
While the alive ingredient , fipronil , is not considered to be environmentally safe and should be kept away from citizenry and ducky , only a small amount in a tiny place is need to get the job done — and such a small-scale amount is unlikely to have an impact on the wider world . The applicator also prevents the mussy overspray that other production can cause , make it well-fixed to limit its app to a small crack , minimizing possible contact with people , pets , and the planet .
Combat gel is subject of knocking out an intact colony because all it accept is one ant to come into touch with the colloidal gel and carry it back to the nest . Within a few days , this ant lure gel will attract ant and kill the full colony .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Combat carpenter ant killer atAmazon , Ace Hardware , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best Granular
Advance Carpenter Ant Bait
Made with a wide variety of attractants , this Advance carpenter ant sweetener is the utter solution for rough-cut ant problem . These granulated baits for carpenter pismire are capable of eliminating carpenter , acrobat , Argentine , bigheaded , fire , reaper , pharaoh , and other ant miscellany for complete command over these pests . It can also be used indoors and alfresco for excellent versatility .
Though these gel baits come in a compact 8 - oz. container , just 1.8 ounces of product covers over 5,000 square feet . However , this insecticide may induce mild symptoms in dog and African tea if exposed to ample amounts .
Get the Advance carpenter ant killer atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Spray
Orange Guard Home Pest Control
An inherent problem with most spray pesticides is that the wide release of the Cartesian product can cause petite particles to become airborne — a peril if they contain harsh or toxic chemicals . That ’s not an issue with Orange Guard carpenter ant spray , which practice orange peel infusion as its fighting ingredient .
This rule makes Orange Guard one of very few pesticide appear on the FDA ’s Generally Recognized as Safe List in regard to food . This rating make Orange Guard safe to use in the kitchen and around people and favourite . It also appears on the Organic Review Institute ’s list of constituent products . Orange Guard work as a pesticide when spray directly on dirt ball and also as a repellent .
Get the Orange Guard carpenter ant killer atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Outdoor
Wondercide EcoTreat Outdoor Pest Control Spray
Pesticides designed for outdoor use are n’t generally an option where kids and pets are often at play . These Cartesian product also position a great environmental jeopardy than pesticides applied inside the home . Wondercide , however , is a nontoxic choice that relies on a mixture of natural indispensable fossil oil , admit sesame and cedarwood , to kill and force back emmet , mosquitoes , fleas , and ticking without harm beneficial bee .
Wondercide derive in a nebulizer feeding bottle that attaches to a stock garden hosepipe . The concentrated formula is automatically load as water from the hosepipe give-up the ghost through the attachment for well-situated software . A 32 - apothecaries' ounce bottle can address 5,000 straight feet , and each handling lasts between 30 and 45 days , though the manufacturer does advocate a 2d diligence within 2 to 10 days .
Get the Wondercide carpenter ant grampus atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Indoor
Syngenta Optigard Ant Bait Gel
When ants receive their path indoors , kitchens and feeding areas can be easy infiltrated . This option from Syngenta is capable of killing off indoor Argentine , carpenter , and ghost ant plague safely and with precision .
This pick is extremely attractive to ants ; stays dynamic for 14 day ; and disperses the poisonous substance to the total settlement , toss off worker , brood , and the queen . Each 1.6 - ounce bottle of ant killer is nonstaining , bequeath no odor behind , and comes with a preciseness applicator for diminutive cracks and crevices where ants run to linger . However , the manufacturer cautions not to use this gelatin near food or where user tend to eat .
Get the Syngenta carpenter ant killer atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Roach & Ant Killer
Garden Safe Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer
This insect killer will take out R-2 and carpenter ants in abode without creating a hazard for the environment , people , or pet . It uses diatomaceous earth , which shoot down insects by infiltrating the cracks in their exoskeleton and then dehydrating them . To destroy a nest , habituate a squeeze nursing bottle to blow diatomaceous globe into moist Mrs. Henry Wood or tree diagram stump where carpenter - ant plague typically start . To kill insects outside the nest , splosh the pulverization right away onto ant dealings areas .
Garden Safe kills within a solar day of striking . It ’s nonpoisonous and secure for function in veggie garden . In increase to emmet , Garden Safe will defeat cockroaches , silverfish , beetles , and other insects .
Get the Garden Safe carpenter ant killer atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Photo: amazon.com
Or, DIY Your Own Carpenter Ant Killer
There are several homemade remedies that are dependable , cheap , easy to make , and effective against emmet — and they employ usual menage product potential to already be on mitt in the kitchen closet .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing Carpenter Ant Killer
Understanding how the different types of pesticide and repellent work is key to addressing a carpenter ant problem . Ahead , learn more about granules , spray , and gel , as well as other broker to consider when selecting the right product .
Type
Like manyant sea wolf , those specific to carpenter ants follow in two basic types : baits and kill - on - contact insecticides . on-key to its name , the latter case ofinsecticidekills pismire within secondment of link . belt down - on - contact insecticides occur in sprays and gunpowder .
These products kill pismire almost immediately . Many leave a residue that will kill or repel other ants that skitter through the substance twenty-four hour period later . Although pour down - on - contact product rule out the straightaway menace , they are n’t effective at destroying the colony unless spray straight off onto an anthill .
A ironic powder such as diatomaceous world kills ants by infiltrating the cracks in the dirt ball ’ exoskeletons and dehydrate them , a process that read up to a twenty-four hour period .
Photo: amazon.com
Insecticide gels , which typically amount in syringe - way applicators , permit the exploiter to practice small doses into cracks where ant activity is observed . Gels typically take several days to drink down ants . This delayed natural process allows prison term for septic pismire to rejoin to the nest and taint the entire colony . Although these baits do n’t extend the insistent satisfaction that nebuliser do , they have better retentive - term resultant by eliminating entire ant colonies .
Active Ingredients
Ant killers use a miscellany of active ingredients . Borax is a particularly pop pesticide ; the pith is venomous to pismire but present a low floor of toxicity to mankind , making it suitable for indoor ant lure . Hydramethylnon is another common active ingredient that ’s lethal to ants . Other active ingredients used in ant killer include indoxacarb , avermectin , lambda - cyhalothrin , and fipronil . While these ingredients are comparatively safe for use around homes , they do present health risk . More importantly , these chemicals can wreak havoc on the environment , specially if they discover their means into aquatic environments .
There are pesticide alternatives that pose less risk to people , PET , and the environment . There are products that use essential oils from such natural origin as mint , cedar , cinnamon , and orange peels . Diatomaceous earthly concern , which consist of the fossilise stiff of lilliputian aquatic organism , is also an effective way to kill pests by dehydrating them . There are environmentally well-disposed repellents that keep bugs away and do n’t harm helpful insects , such as love bees and ladybugs .
Application Methods
Ant killers come in several frame , each with a different software method and specific way of killing carpenter ants . shopper will want to study whether they prefer ant - bait post , granule , sprayer , or dust base on the next characteristics :
Safety
Many of the participating factor in ant killers pose no serious wellness risks to humans . However , consumers should still be measured when using any pesticide in or around the home . When using an ant killer , it ’s all-important to take precautions to limit and keep pic . Keep the watch tips in mind for software :
Versatility
Carpenter ant killers are effective at more than eliminate and controlling ant infestations . These multifunctional products can also take out a wide orbit of other common pests , include roach , flea , crickets , termites , and other louse . Most manufacturers list the type of insects the pesticide delicacy on the Cartesian product container .
Additional Features
Many ant baits have additional feature that make them suitable for use in different environs . Ant killers with syringe applicators facilitate targeted software in areas such as the small chap and gaps between baseboard molding that ants can pass through . This allow the user to treat the affected area without overspray , minimizing exposure to humans and ducky .
Bait stakes have a sentence - release poison that will not only take out existing colony but also forestall ants from arriving and ground new ones . out-of-door sweetener stations have waterproof caparison to forbid rain from coming into contact with the poison , thereby ruining the hook station .
Tips for Keeping Carpenter Ants Away Naturally
Although there are plenty of products that use chemicals to take out carpenter emmet , there are also direction to keep carpenterants at baywithout using any pesticide at all . Carpenter pismire are attracted to wet , decompose , or damp wood . Those who maintain their homes well and who repair damage as soon as it ’s spotted are less potential to dish out with carpenter ant .
Carpenter pismire also like heavily wooded area , so keep brush and tree limbs aside from the base ’s outside . Likewise , make certain mulch and soil do not fall into touch with the wood parts of the home . fissure and crevices around the habitation ’s foundation can serve as an entryway for carpenter ants . Sealing these gaps will make it hard for carpenter ants to bump a way in .
FAQs
If you still have concerns about carpenter ant killers , learn on for solvent to some of the most commonly postulate doubtfulness about these insects and product .
Most carpenter ant infestations will occur when there is an active nest outside the house and the emmet have found a crack or crevice in the grounding or wall . To keep any from getting in , always assure that cracking and crack are filled or apply carpenter ant hole or slayer .
Carpenter ants use pheromones to produce trail that other emmet stick to . you may disrupt this system of communicating with essential oils that are effective yet good for the environment . These admit clove , lemongrass oil , peppermint , orange , and gamboge oils , which befuddle carpenter ants and forestall them from following the trail .
Photo: amazon.com
scathe triggered by termite or carpenter ants is view a maintenance issue that the householder is creditworthy for preventing . As such , it is not report by most received insurance policies .
Carpenter ants are most active from the spring to the former capitulation , usually lock between the months of March and October . However , a distinctive parent colony will regurgitate in the saltation , which is when homeowner will want to be on the lookout forsigns of carpenter emmet in the house .
Once they ’ve established a nest in moist wood , carpenter ant will not move by on their own . The nest will continue to grow and expand unless it ’s treated , which can ensue in serious damage to the home and other social structure .
Photo: amazon.com
There are several options for treat a carpenter ant plague . granule for outside use are an excellent way to pass colony in the 1000 or make a barrier around the house . Liquid hook design for indoor use are a good way to decimate colony by infect proletarian emmet who deliver the toxicant back to the nest .
Although some ant sweetener can toss off carpenter ant , check mob entropy to know exactly which species the product targets before making a purchase .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
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We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a levy bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the right plant for your soil and region .
