Are you trying to find an effective and economical way of controlling carpenter ants? Are you tired of their noise, destruction, and the fact that they are different sizes? There are various types of ants. If you currently have a carpenter ant infestation which is the most common ant in the US, then you will want to find the best pest control for them. There are many types of pest control methods and many people find that they must use more than one method to be successful. Regardless of what they do, they might have to deal with carpenter ants sooner or later. Carpenter ants are much like other ants in that they will eat pretty much anything available and there are plenty of foods that attract them. I have a great deal of experience with regards to Do-it-yourself pest control for carpenter ants, and I find that one of the simplest ways to start killing carpenter ants is by using Borax. I will expand on this method further down in the article, but first I want to talk about the top 3 pesticides you can use to quickly kill those troublesome critters.

Best Pest Control For Carpenter Ants

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Carpenter Ant Killer

Understanding how the different types of ant killers work is key to addressing the carpenter ant problem your home is facing. Ahead, learn more about granules, sprays, and gels, as well as other factors to consider when selecting the right product.

Type

Like many ant killers, formulas specific to carpenter ants come in two basic types: baits and kill-on-contact insecticides. True to its name, this type of insecticide kills ants within seconds of touching them. Kill-on-contact pesticides typically come in aerosol spray bottles.

Not only do these sprays kill the ants almost immediately, but many leave a residue that will kill other ants that scurry through the substance days later. While kill-on-contact products eliminate the immediate threat, they aren’t effective at destroying the colony unless sprayed directly onto an anthill.

Baits consist of a small receptacle that holds either dry pellets or a sticky liquid. The bait attracts ants and functions in one of two ways: either the pellets are collected and carried back to the colony, or a sticky liquid or gel sticks to the ants’ bodies. The ants carry the poison back to the colony, where it infects other ants and, with luck, the queen.

Bait toxin works on a delayed timeline, killing the ants days or weeks after exposure. This delayed action allows time for the ants to return and infect the entire colony. Although baits don’t offer the instant gratification of sprays, they have better long-term results by eliminating entire colonies.

Active Ingredients

Ant killers use a variety of active ingredients in the chemical war on ants. Borax is a particularly popular pesticide; the substance is deadly to ants but presents a low level of toxicity to humans, making it suitable for indoor ant baits.
Hydramethylnon is another common active ingredient that’s lethal to ants while posing minimal risk to humans. Other active ingredients used in ant killer include indoxacarb, avermectin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and fipronil.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies these chemicals as “reduced-risk” pesticides, meaning they have low toxicity to humans. Keep in mind that a low toxicity level doesn’t deem these products as completely harmless; pesticides of any kind should be handled with care.

Application Methods

Ant baits come in several forms, each with a different application method and specific means of killing ants. Consider whether you prefer ant killer bait stations, granules, sprays, or dust based on the following characteristics:

• Bait stations are enclosed plastic receptacles with small holes that allow ants to enter, collect a liquid or gel bait, then leave. These baits can take several days to kill the ant, giving it time to return to the colony and infect the population. Bait stations typically have liquid or gel ingredients that stick to the ants that enter.
• Granules are sprinkled on the ground, where they dissolve and leave a residue that kills ants on contact. Granules will treat the soil for several months, creating a barrier that prevents ants from getting into the home.
• Sprays consist of a thin, sticky liquid that can be applied directly onto ants to kill on contact, or to cracks and crevices where ants enter the home. Sprays leave a residue that infects and kills any ants that cross over it.
• Dust ant killers typically use diatomaceous earth, a natural substance that is toxic to ants. When ants crawl through it, the dust penetrates their exoskeletons and dehydrates them from the inside out.

Safety

Many of the active ingredients in ant killers pose no serious health risks to humans. However, consumers should still be careful when using pesticides in or around the home. When using an ant killer, it’s essential to take precautions to limit and prevent exposure. Keep the following tips in mind for application:

• Always wear protective gloves when handling an ant killer.
• Don’t place baits on areas that are accessible to children or curious pets who may come into contact with them.
• Sprays and dust can be absorbed into the skin, so avoid applying them in high-traffic areas.
• Avoid treating areas where food is stored or prepared.
• When applying an ant spray, wear eye protection and direct the spray away from the eyes or any exposed skin.

Versatility

Carpenter ant killers are effective at more than eliminating and controlling ant infestations. These multifunctional products can also take out a broad range of other common pests, including roaches, fleas, crickets, termites, and other insects. Most manufacturers list the types of insects the pesticide treats on the product container.

Additional Features

Many ant baits have additional features that make them suitable for use in different environments. Ant killers with syringe applicators facilitate targeted applications, in areas like the small cracks and gaps between baseboard molding that ants can infiltrate. This allows the user to treat the affected area without overspray, minimizing exposure to humans and pets.

Bait stakes have a time-release poison that will not only take out existing colonies, but prevent ants from arriving and establishing new ones. Outdoor bait stations have waterproof housing to prevent rain from coming into contact with the poison, thereby ruining the bait station.