At first glance, ants seem to everyone to be harmless insects that don’t cause any problems. However, a real invasion of these little tenants will eventually become a headache, as they tend to cluster together and create colonies that can get out of control.
There are over 12,000 species of ants, and many of them are considered household pests because they do serious damage. This ranges from painful bites to disease risks, contamination of your food, allergies and even property and infrastructure damage.
In general, these insects tend to invade properties in the summer, and their size allows them to sneak into any corner, as well as being difficult to detect with the naked eye. When colonies are established, real complications arise, endangering those around you, especially your children and pets.
Fortunately, there are many pesticides that can quickly put an end to an ant infestation, uprooting colonies and preventing future invasion. However, getting rid of ants can be a challenge that will require a lot of time and patience.
So, if you are dealing with this scourge and want to get rid of it, but you don’t know how, or you want to get information and professional help, then you’ve come to the right place!
As AKL Exterminators, experts in extermination and pest control of all kinds, we are going to explain here which products are the most effective against ants and some useful tips, to ensure a complete extermination of these little intruders.
Let’s get started!
What you need to know about ants
Before you embark on the task of getting rid of an ant infestation, it is essential that you consider some important points, such as the type of ant you are dealing with and where they hide. Let’s briefly review these issues.
Types of ants
As mentioned above, there are thousands of species of ants that live in almost every corner of the world. But of all of them, the most common ones that invade buildings are a few. That’s why it’s important that you identify them, and know all about their habits and peculiarities.
Among those that are considered pests, we find the following:
Scented house ants (Pharaoh ants)
Small brown or black ants, which are attracted to sugar and any sweet food. You can find them in your kitchen, on the walls and under the floor. This species nests near sources of moisture. Their sting is harmless and they are characterized by their rotten coconut smell when crushed.
Pavement/Pavement/Sand Ants
Characteristic for their black color, they are usually found in tiles, cracks in the sidewalk, holes in streets and sidewalks. They have wings to fly and make new colonies. They are also slightly larger than house ants.
Crazy ants
Distinguished by their erratic behavior, spasmodic movements and unwillingness to form paths, crazy ants are excellent climbers, and can invade your property in search of food. When in short supply, they are moisture-loving scavengers that appear in the fall or winter.
Carpenter ants
One of the most destructive species. These ants love wood. They are capable of gnawing on the inside of structures, walls, furniture. These ants chew wood to create tunnels and vaults, and establish their colonies. They often leave piles of sawdust in their wake and hide in the wood.
Fire ants
These reddish invaders create mounds on your property and infest your green spaces. They feature powerful jaws that inject venom through a stinger. Their bites are very painful and even deadly to some people.
Some previous considerations
Once you’ve identified the species of invasive ant, where the tenants are nesting, and where the colony is hiding, it’s time for you to take action. But before you buy, we recommend that you keep in mind some essential things, to choose the ideal product. Let’s see what they are:
Presentation
In general, ant control products come in two forms: as baits and as pesticides. Baits attract ants that have an attractive odor or flavor, so that one or more specimens consume the poisoned trap and take it into the colony, where the others will be killed.
The baits are placed near the nests of the pests, to ensure the spreading effect of the poison. On the other hand, contact pesticides use more potent active ingredients. They are applied directly to the ants to kill them.
Depending on your case, or whether or not the colony is already established, you can choose the presentation that best suits your situation and the level of infestation on your property.
Other factors to consider when purchasing the appropriate ant control product are: active ingredients, method of application and safety factors. This can vary, if you want to exterminate these invaders more naturally or more aggressively.
Active ingredients
On active ingredients, many of them have an instant effect to kill ants. In other cases, the poison has a delayed effect of several hours: it is to eradicate the colony, with a waiting period for the affected ants to distribute the poison to others and die.
Methods of application
Regarding the application methods, you can choose among several possibilities, depending on your case. You can find bait stations, gel baits, liquid baits, granular baits, powdered pesticides or direct sprays to apply the poison superficially.
In all cases, ants consume the poison, which you should place in strategic locations (near colonies or mounds), such as kitchens, bathrooms, holes between walls, openings, cracks, etc.
Security
An important point to consider is product safety, especially if you have children or pets. If you are treating an infestation yourself, try to keep traps, baits or poison out of reach of your children and pets so they are not poisoned by direct contact.
The best products to exterminate ants
With these questions in mind, let’s review the most effective ant control products, their uses and indications!
Terro Liquid Ant Bait
This product is suitable for both indoor and outdoor properties. To use, remove the plastic from the baits, hold them vertically and place them where the ants are hiding, with the label facing up. You can locate several bait stations, from 1.5 to 3 meters away.
Once they are ready, watch the baits and do not touch them. If the infestation persists, move the baits or place new ones. The entire colony usually dies within two weeks, so you need to constantly supply your property with bait.
Remember to keep the product away from children, pets, food, water sources and cooking utensils. Always wash your hands after handling bait. If someone swallows bait, you should call a doctor immediately. You can dispose of the product in empty containers or with newspaper.
If you want to get this great pest control product, you can check here!
Terro Liquid Ant Bait on Stakes
These baits are placed on stakes near ant nests or colonies, pushing the bait hard so that it sinks vertically into the ground. Try to leave a distance of 5 meters between each station.
You need to keep the bait level, so that the liquid does not spill out while you break the product label. The ants will enter the station, through the bait hole, and consume it to poison themselves. Monitor the stations for two weeks.
If this does not work, change the bait supply or place new baits in different strategic locations. Remember to keep the product away from children, pets, food, water sources and cooking utensils. Always wash your hands after handling the bait.
In case of poisoning, call emergency services immediately. Do not induce vomiting or drink liquids. You can dispose of the product in empty containers or with newspaper.
If you want to get this great pest control product, you can check here!
Wilson AntOut – Gel Bait for Ants
Gel bait product with borax as active ingredient, for indoor and outdoor use. It is ideal for attracting ants and effectively eliminating colonies. You need to place enough gel in different strategic locations on your property so that the ants carry enough poison to their colony and die.
You should not use sprays or other cleaning chemicals near the gel, as this will contaminate the bait and have no effect. Apply with a syringe and inject the gel into cracks, holes, complaints, doorways, door frames, sills and empty areas. You can make five applications of the gel per meter.
Remember to keep the product away from children, pets, food, water sources and cooking utensils. The syringe can also be used to inject the gel into furniture and to fill bait stations. It is important that you wash your hands before and after touching the bait to ensure its effect.
If ingested or inhaled, call immediately for emergency treatment. Drink water and do not induce vomiting by yourself. If your clothing, skin or eyes have been contaminated, rinse them thoroughly with soap and water for about 20 minutes.
You can dispose of the product in individual containers, or wrap it in newspaper or plastic – if you want to get this great pest control product, you can do so here!
Wilson AntOut – Ant Bait
This effective product consists of a six-entry suet with a system for attracting worker ants and destroying colonies with them. To use, remove the traps from the plastic container, remove and clean any food source, place the bait in strategic locations and monitor.
The effect of the product will be visible within a week, and you can replace the traps every 30 days to ensure total elimination. It is important that you wash with soap and water before and after handling the bait. Remember to keep the product away from children, pets, food, water sources and cooking utensils.
To dispose of the product, wrap it in plastic or newspaper and put it in the trash. If the product is ingested or inhaled, call immediately for emergency treatment, if you want to get this great pest control product, you can check here!
Now that you know how to choose the most effective products against ants, and what they are, feel free to apply these tips to choose the best pesticide for you, depending on your case and the type of invader! Remember to place these products in high-traffic areas and monitor the progress of the infestation.
And if you are already suffering from the ravages of ants and cannot eradicate these insects by yourself and urgently need the help of a specialized company to eradicate the infestation, do not hesitate to contact us! At AKL Exterminator, we are professionals in extermination and control of all types of pests.
We will help you without saying a word! In addition, we offer different services and products that you can find in our amazing online store, to control all kinds of invaders, from spiders to rodents. We offer our services in the different provinces of Quebec.
You can find us at 5333 Boul. Laurier, suite 128 Terrebonne, J7M 1W1. We guarantee the quality and the warranty of our products and services, against any invading pest. Do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on the image below! We take calls at any time!
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