Poison Ant Baits

There are many way to kill ants if you truly have problem colonies. Just remember to keep ant poisons away from children and pets. Some of them are deceptively sweet.

Sorptive dusts
Sorptive dusts such as diatomaceous earth damage the ants’ exoskeleton, which ultimately dehydrates them, killing them. It isn’t a fast working poison, but will work over an extended period of time.

Silica gel & Pyrethrums
These two poisons together will kill ants quickly, but shouldn’t be inhaled. Be sure to purchase products with proper applicators.

Insect Growth Regulators (IGR’s)
Insect growth regulators work by interrupting the natural breeding cycle of insects. Adult ants will not be killed, but no more ants will be produced. These take 3-4 months to begin working but will last for a long time.

Poison ant baits
Poison baits work by tempting ants to carry the bait back to their colony, where when shared, kills the lot of them if the product works successfully. They are generally mixes of poison and an attractive food source like sugar. Some of the best and least toxic of these baits are maid with borax.

Do it yourself poison ant bait
You can make your own Borax-based poison by buying Borax from your local hardware or garden store and following these directions:
Mix 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water.
Add in 4 teaspoons boric acid.
Fill 4-8 mason jars with about 1 cup of bait each.
Place cotton into the jars to about the half way point so that it rests in the bait solution and then saturate the rest of the dry material with more bait.
Poke holes in the lids big enough for ants to get in and out and screw the lids back on the mason jars.
Situate the jars where ants can find them, get into the food source and take it back to their colony. Remember, however, that this is poison! Keep it away from children and pets.