+39 votes
by (2.4k points)
It’s always something!  What do you guys use to get rid of ants? It’s always something! What do you guys use to get rid of ants? I was using some ant bait from the store. I thought it worked bc I didn’t see any. Then put some stuff around my house for ants. Now my breaker is tripping bc ants are in my fuse box.  I’m getting prices on an exterminator but I’d really like to save some money and treat what I can.  
 It’s always something!  What do you guys use to get rid of ants?

28 Answers

+15 votes
by (1.5k points)
 
Best answer
TERRO liquid ant bait. If the ants are really bad check the bait box after a few hours, you may have to replace it. Had the same problem at my office. TERRO liquid bait did a better job than the exterminator.  
+22 votes
by (740 points)
If you don't have pets, use Borax. Diatomaceous Earth is also good and pet friendly.  
+28 votes
by (2.6k points)
This is what I use. It works really well.  
+23 votes
by (520 points)
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
by (1.5k points)
@cassiani518 YES! It's kinda messy but always does the trick. Get a plastic ketchup bottle from the DT so squirt the DE into all your little crevices. It will smother the ant trail. Wait abt a week then just vacuum it up.  
+25 votes
by (540 points)
Terro ant traps - the only thing that works for us. The kind with the liquid inside
by (270 points)
@yare2271 I used to use these because they seemed to work really well. Then, our exterminator said only use Terro outside because it attracts more ants.  
by (540 points)
@experimentalize interesting - I’ll have to give that a try - so far it’s always worked - maybe an increase at first but then they’d just be gone. never thought about it that way.  
by (270 points)
@yare2271 that's what I thought. We called because we were getting so many and we have the same guy come every year. He said put it outside windows or doors just not inside. He said then it will draw the ants outside.  
+22 votes
by (620 points)
I use ant bate things! Literally from the dollar store. You put it in a corner or wherever they come often. It’s super easy. I’ve also done those roach hotels. Which sounds soooo gross. But bugs go inside because it’s dark or whatever and it’s just sticky inside. Pet friendly for those too. Ants do go in those but I think they go in the ant things better lol. The ones I got are small white ones and each corner is open I believe also sell at Walmart too.  
+34 votes
by (1.2k points)
Had an issue with ants coming out of just one outlet. Used Terro liquid from Lowe’s and I literally poured it on top and down the sides of the box. It’s been almost a week and I haven’t seen anymore since about the third day.  
+36 votes
by (2.9k points)
You HAVE to use liquid bait. Terro is great! I also use Hot Shot liquid baits, ONLY THE LIQUID, I can find at Lowes. Ant are more attracted to the liquid because they are in search of water AND food. Also, find where they are coming in and mark all the entrances. When they disappear, then silicone over those entrances. These steps worked for me; it has been several years since I had an ant problem. Good luck!  
+25 votes
by (3.7k points)
Terro liquid bait works well
by (1.9k points)
@manchester Terro is what our exterminator recommends for ants
+26 votes
by (2.3k points)
They don’t like cinnamon
+27 votes
by (7.4k points)
Optiguard gel bait on Amazon. Absolutely magic. We live in Hawaii where bugs are part of daily life with the open-air living, and this is the only thing that works. You’ll see them swarm the little blobs of gel you leave out, then they take it back to their nests after a day or so and they’ll be gone for good. Syngenta - TRTD11568 - Optigard. .  
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003K8JDPM
+15 votes
by (3.4k points)
Eucalyptus Oil. My sister used to dab it on window skills. Worked great!  
+15 votes
by (2.3k points)
Borax, sugar, and water mixed to sludge-like consistency. Soak a few cotton balls and leave them out where ants are. The sugar attracts them and they take the Borax back to their nest. Haven’t seen a single ant in 2 weeks.  
by (290 points)
I agree. Did this 3 years ago and haven't was seen them since !  
+5 votes
by (470 points)
Terro has always worked for us
+27 votes
by (17k points)
Terro. They make stakes. Put them outside around foundation of home. It’s better to get them before they come inside. For inside terro makes some ones you stick places or sit . find one you can stick to inside door of fuse box. Don’t spray anything inside the fuse box obviously.  
+33 votes
by (1.5k points)
Pay for the exterminator. My cousin owns his own company and I can tell you he is worth every penny (I insist on paying, he has 4 kids! )! Three reasons why. The first nothing you buy will work for long if at all so you keep buying the stuff over and over again. Second, if you find one who is more environmentally friendly, you are putting the health of all those in your home, pets included, at less risk. Third, an exterminator knows how to find the source of the problem and will treat there. We have our exterminator come twice a year. He treats in the fall and spring. Our Doberman found a ground hive a few years ago and was stung around 5 dozen times, we are VERY lucky she survived. We are on a plan which offers a savings. So, paying him is part of our household budget. We live in a rural area, bugs and pests live where we live. I'm fine with that as long as they stay on their side of the fence  
+32 votes
by (1.3k points)
Terro is what has worked for us.  
+32 votes
by (2.6k points)
Grits around the ant hill  
+20 votes
by (4.8k points)
Put water and dish soap on a spray bottle. ta da! No extra money neededWorks wonders
+28 votes
by (2.6k points)
What kind of ants? We had carpenter ants, I called an exterminator cost us $$ but it was worth it. They killed and prevented!  
by (2.4k points)
@foxing idk they look like reg black ants that come up around the sink
0 votes
by (320 points)
This makes quite a bit so you can put out several cans with a cotton ball or pad. Like someone said above, they come a running to get this. I liked that it kept them away from everything else and then they were gone from the kitchen. Some started coming in a different place in the house for water so I placed another can out. Seriously easy. I tried so many natural options last year and this is the only thing that has worked for us. (Small black ants for reference)
by (290 points)
This worked for me 3 years ago. Haven't seen them since!  
by (320 points)
@quenna love hearing that!  
+31 votes
by (2.4k points)
Thank you everyone. The brand of shake I put around the house was Terro and I had a few liquid ant baits so I took an old makeup brush and brushed some on the edge of the fuse box. They were eating it but I was looking for other options in case it didn’t work. I’m screenshotting all the suggestions to refer back to if I can’t get rid of them. I appreciate the help, I’m about to lose my mind over them. We have had so much rain I think that’s why they are so bad this year.  
+29 votes
by (8.8k points)
A great natural product safe to be sprinkled around pets is Diatomaceous Earth.  
+28 votes
by (2k points)
Tempo. You can find it at a ranch supply store, it’s a little pricy but well worth it and I’ll never use all of it in my life lol. You can mix it depending on what your spraying anything from mites to moths. It’s pretty potent so let it dry before you let the pets and kids in the room.  
+8 votes
by (540 points)
The raid traps always seem to work well. Traps will attract more before it gets better just warning  terro is also a good one but the sticky stuff inside is nasty haha
+27 votes
by (2.6k points)
I've used cornmeal in the past and it worked well. The ants take it back to their queen to eat and it kills her as well the ants but once the queen is gone they are more likely to leave.  
+37 votes
by (3.1k points)
Electronic pest control plug-ins  
+38 votes
by (7.2k points)
This stuff is the best. Can use inside & outside. Plus, it's safe to use around kids & pets.  
by (7.2k points)
You can find it at Target, Home Depot, Menards. Most hardware stores.  
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