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Top 5 Best Pet Safe Ant Killers

It's no secret that ants can be a nuisance at home. They are the most common household pest in America. But fortunately, there are pet-friendly ant killer products on the market today that you can use to eliminate these pests without putting your family at risk.

It's no secret that ants can be a nuisance at home. They are the most common household pest in America. But fortunately, there are pet-friendly ant killer products on the market today that you can use to eliminate these pests without putting your family at risk.

BEST OVERALL
TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer

TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer

Most reliable ant killer that has low toxicity. A very efficient insect killer with active ingredient Borax.

BEST FOR INDOORS
Ortho Home Defense Ant Bait

Ortho Home Defense Ant Killer Bait

Specially formulated to target ants only. Not toxic enough to cause significant harm to people and pets.

BEST PROFESSIONAL
Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer

Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer

This effective multi-insect killer with essential oils is the best for killing ants and other insects.

1

TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer

BEST OVERALL

TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • Can vary in time to take effect
  • Contains toxic chemicals

TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer Review

Terro has been making ant killers since 1915. They continue to manufacture a variety of pest control solutions. Its mission is to supply people with insect control solutions for their peace of mind.

This product is a sugary bait that attracts and kills ants. The active ingredient is borax. Borax is a slow-working poison that is highly toxic to common types of household ants. The worker ants will bring some of the bait back to their home. When the ants eat the bait, their digestive system will slowly get destroyed, resulting in their deaths. As a result, their entire anthill will be filled with dead ants.  

Place the bait stations near ant trails or where ants usually gather. Remove all food sources like crumbs, food scraps, and other food waste. This ensures that the ants go to the trap and not anywhere else. Make sure not to spray any insecticides in the area so that it doesn’t repel the ants.

Terro liquid ant baits are an easy solution for your ant problems. When appropriately used, it eliminates your ant problems in the long term. The amount of borax inside the product is unlikely to cause any severe illness when accidentally consumed.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Terro
  • Model: BT300
  • Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 6.6 x 4.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 4.3 ounces
  • Includes: 2 packs, 6 bait stations per pack
  • Active Ingredients: 5.40% Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate (Borax)

2

Ortho Home Defense Ant Killer Bait

BEST FOR INDOORS

Ortho Home Defense Ant Bait

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • It May require a regular application for effectiveness
  • The liquid is not secure and may spill

Ortho Home Defense Ant Killer Bait Review

Ortho is a reliable leader and global manufacturer in the pest control industry with efficient and high-quality products. Customers are singing praises of this brand on various platforms for its reliable pest control materials. 

The Ortho Home Defense Ant Bait and its extensive premium product collection are versatile, efficient, and can eliminate ants in seconds. Furthermore, the ortho defense product is practical with residual effects for your home. Moreover, thanks to the Ortho Home Defense Ant Bait’s excellent performance, you can trust other products from the same manufacturer.

The product’s active formula patented clean snap technology, and liquid that can eliminate pests justify its place as the best for indoor use. Besides this, liquid ant killer is reliable and more efficient than eradicating pests with harmful chemicals in your home. 

Furthermore, this model can effectively eliminate crawling and flying insect colonies in your home. If appropriately sprayed, you never have to worry about ants and other pests in your bathroom or kitchen countertops.

This indoor insect repellent features an active formula to eliminate ant colonies without delay. If you cannot compromise on quality and performance, consider this product. The idea is to hold the model upright and expose the bait by opening the top end. Then, tuck the top end and secure the tab for practical use. 

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Ortho
  • Item Weight: 3.37 ounces
  • Product Dimension: 1.13 x 5 x 6.5 inches
  • Target Species: Ants

3

Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer

BEST PROFESSIONAL

Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • It may be ineffective against flies
  • It creates an oily residue

Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer Review

Raid is an industry-leading brand in the pest management sector with premium and effective products and solutions. This America’s most trusted brand is known for continuous improvement and quality dedication to delivering high-quality pest control solutions.

With over 60 years of existence, this brand has other insect-killing solutions to its name, synonymous with efficiency and sustainable value. But, like many of its products, the Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer is one to rely on for its ant eradication qualities.

The Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer is one of the best products to eliminate ants, bugs, and other insects in your home. It is so because the innovative active formula is sensitive to ants and other troublesome insects.

The essential oil content, active formula, and convenient trigger justify this product’s position. Besides, this innovative solution is ideal for use all around the home and safe around pets and children.

Furthermore, this safe ant killer can deal with roaches, bugs, spiders, mosquitoes, and other crawling or flying insects. Consider this product for indoor and outdoor use by targeting the ant’s location to solve the problem. The idea is to spray on doors, cabinets, countertops, ceilings, and window frames to kill insects that come in contact with it. Try this excellent product for its premium capabilities and performance.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: SCJohnson
  • Item Weight: 12.63 Ounces
  • Product Dimension: 1.81 x 3.88 x 9.25 inches
  • Target Species: Ants, bugs, roaches, spiders, etc.

Other products to consider

4

STEM Ant Killer

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY ANT SPRAY

STEM Ant Killer

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • Can be greasy and slippery leaving behind an oily substance

STEM Ant Killer Review

The product was developed by STEM. They work with entomologists to use nature’s most effective bug-killing substances. The brand is owned by SC Johnson. They believe that people would be better off using natural insect repellents mother nature provides. 

The product contains a combination of ingredients that interferes with the bug’s nervous system resulting in their deaths. It kills various insects aside from ants like cockroaches and spiders. The active ingredients are geraniol and lemongrass. This is a natural people and pet safe ant spray as long as it’s used properly.

To use, just shake it well. Wait for the target bug to land or when you see an ant trail. Hold the spray around 18 inches away. Spray 2-3 times. Wipe clean afterward.

A good product if you’re looking for natural eco-friendly ant killers.  The ingredients, citronella and geraniol, interfere with insects’ bodily functions. They are good repellents as well. This product is best used if you have time to look or catch insects and spray this product on them. You can spray this on places where you notice ants to repel them.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer:‎ SC Johnson
  • Item Weight: 10 Ounces
  • Package Dimensions: ‎ 9.02 x 2.17 x 2.09 inches
  • Main Ingredients: geraniol and lemongrass

5

EcoRaider Ant Killer

BEST MULTI-INSECT KILLER

EcoRaider Ant Killer

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • Strong smell
  • Can be greasy and slippery leaving behind an oily substance

EcoRaider Ant Killer Review

This product was developed by Reneotech. EcoRaider is now known as EcoVenger. They develop non-toxic but highly effective bio-insecticides. Their company was launched in 2012.

The product is an aqueous bio insecticide using essential oils. The manufacturers claim that their products work faster than professional-grade pesticides. In addition, the product smells good and is safe for children and pets. 

You can spray this on insects to kill them immediately on contact. Spray around the areas where insects usually stay at. Sinks, near appliances, behind cabinets, and around trash bins are ideal locations to spray. Spray the surface until wet but not soaked. You may repeat the spraying if necessary.

This is a good product if you’re looking for a natural solution that quickly kills ants and other insects. This product is unlikely to cause any harmful effects. You can spray this product repeatedly without being concerned for the health of the people and pets around you.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Reneotech Inc
  • Product Dimensions: 10 x 2 x 4 inches; 1.2 Pounds
  • Item Volume: 480 Milliliters
  • Item model number‏: EH1RM50016
  • Scent: Citronella
  • Active Ingredients: geraniol, cedar oil, lemongrass oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

What are pet-safe ant killers, and what makes them safe?

Pet safe ant killers are safe because they are non-toxic to pets. Accidental consumption will not bring severe or long-term harm to your pet. They are also meant to be placed away from your pets. Some are natural insecticides using a combination of natural remedies that are harmless to your pets. 

Outdoor vs. Indoor pet safe ant killer – What’s the difference?

Outdoor

ant killer for outdoorsOutdoor ant killers are typically more toxic than indoor ant killers because they are not designed for use in areas where pets and children live or play. Instead, they are meant to be used near ant nests or other areas away from home and to kill outdoor ants, like fire ants, effectively.

Indoor

Indoor ant killers are designed for use in the home and typically don’t contain dangerous poisons. However, most popular products are also designed to be used to minimize exposure to pets and children. These include ant traps or ant gel baits enclosed in a safe location. In addition, they are effective against indoor ants like carpenter ants.

Which is better?

The best pet-safe ant killer for you will depend on your needs and situation since ants can be considered household bugs or outdoor pests. You will want to choose an ant killer designed for use in the home and minimizes exposure to pets and children.

However, some products are designed for indoor and outdoor spaces. When choosing the best pet-safe ant killer for you, consider the ingredients, product design, and intended use.

So, how do I kill ants without harming pets? (Step-by-step guide)

So now we’ve had a look. Here’s a step-by-step guide on using ant killer products safely and effectively.

1) Choose your ant bait or ant killer

Once you’ve assessed your ant infestation problem and decided whether you’ll need a pet-friendly and children-safe product, it’s time to pick your solution. Choose among the best pet-safe ant killers mentioned above. Be aware of what active ingredient the ant killer is using.

2) Read the label

Read the instructions carefully before using them and follow them as accurately as possible. This will ensure that you use the product correctly, maximize its effectiveness, and minimize its potential exposure to pets and children.

3) Place the ant killer

You’ll need to go to the areas where ants are active, such as ant nests or near food sources, and place the ant killer product to take effect. Make sure ants access the product. Tell other house members about the location and instructions for using the ant killer. 

4) Monitor the area

After placing the ant killer,  monitor the results. This will help you know how effective the ant killer is and whether you need to reapply it. Be patient and wait for the days or weeks the ant killer is supposed to get rid of the ants. Reapply the ant killer, switch locations, or switch baits as needed

5) Remove the ant killer

When the ant problem is under control, and you can see that the ants have stopped coming out, it’s likely the ant infestation has been affected at a colony level. This means the product has worked fully as intended, and it’s time to remove and dispose of the ant killer properly. You may have to re-use the product again from time to time. This is important in keeping ants away.

Ant killer baits vs. traps vs. gels vs. sprays – Which are the best pet-friendly ant killers?

The best pet-friendly ant killers can be divided into four main categories. These are baits, traps, gels, and sprays. Each type of ant killer has its own advantages and disadvantages and unique characteristics.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at each type of ant killer to see which one is the best for the safety of your pets and children.

Ant killing baits

Liquid baits are ant baits that contain a poisonous substance that ants consume. The bait station is placed in an area where worker ants are active, such as near ant nests or food sources. Ant baits can be effective in killing an entire colony. However, they’re dangerous if ingested by pets or children.

Ant killing traps

Ant bait traps are similar to liquid ant baits in that they contain a poisonous substance that ants consume. However, they can vary in the substances used, commonly using boric acid. The trap is placed in an area where ant trails are found. Traps can effectively kill ants, but they aren’t effective for entire colonies.

Ant killing gels

antgelAnt gels contain a poisonous substance that is attractive to ants. The gel bait is placed in an area where ants crawl around, such as near ant nests or food sources. Gel baits can effectively kill ants, but they may not be as effective in large ant colonies.

Ant killing sprays

A killer ant spray contains substances poisonous to ants. The ant sprays are applied to areas where ants are active, such as near ant nests or food sources. Most of them also work against home-invading pests and stinging insects. Ant spray that uses peppermint oil and orange peel extract also works against ants.

Frequently asked questions

Are ant traps safe for cats?

Yes, usually, most ant traps are considered safe for cats as long as they are used according to the label instructions. A pet-safe ant trap is typically an ant gel bait because it can be placed in areas where ants are active without the risk of your cat ingesting it.

Is diatomaceous earth safe for pets?

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring substance made from the fossilized remains of algae. It works by damaging the insect’s exoskeleton. This dehydrates and kills ants and other pesky insects when they come into contact with it. Food grade diatomaceous earth is commonly used for pest control.  

The commercially available food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe for pets and children when used as directed but can be harmful if inhaled. Use in a well-ventilated area or outside only.

Do regular ant killer products harm your dog or cat?

No, they will not harm your dog or cat when used as directed. However, you should always read the label before using any product around your pet. If you have any concerns, please consult with your veterinarian.

Final thoughts

Now that you know about the different types of pet-safe ant killers, from baits to sprays, and how to use them safely around pets, it’s time to choose the right one for your needs. There are a variety of pet-safe ant killers on the market today that can deal with those annoying pests.

Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian or pest control specialist.

Hopefully, this guide was helpful in choosing the best ant killer for your needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below. 

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