How to Get Rid of Black Ants

When you come across a black ant at home, you don’t care what its Latin name is or what genus it belongs to. All you want to do is to get rid of it. Here you”ll know why they infest people’s houses and which methods are approved by the scientists. How to Get Rid of Black Ants: Can you get rid of them using traditional methods? Which baits and insecticides are best? How to get rid of the wall colony? We have reviewed the best black ant control products, so scroll down to our list of Top-11 Killers.

What You Will Learn from This Guide:

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5 Steps On How To Get Rid Of Black Ants | A Review of Scientifically Proven Methods

1. The first step to take is to figure out where they come from and where their nests are located. As the University of California experts recommend, regularly inspecting your home for ants or their entry points. Monitor for ants near attractive food sources or moist areas.

2. Your main aim is to kill the queen.

The University of Kentucky specialists warn that the mistake most people make when attempting to control ants is only spraying the ants they see. This approach usually fails because the ants seen foraging over exposed surfaces are only a small portion of the colony.

Typically, there will be thousands of additional ants including one or more egg-laying queens hidden somewhere in a nest. Eliminating queens and other colony members within nests is often the key to effective ant control. Our review of TOP 11 black ant killers will help you decide on which product you should purchase.

The only way to achieve your goal and kill the queen is to feed it poison.

There are a great number of various slow-acting baits, and such poison acts like domino. A poisoned insect has enough time to share a poisoned piece of food with others and their queen before dying. Not only does this worker carry some food into the colony, it also attracts others to the bait. If used properly, baits and poisoned bait stations are much safer than sprays.

What is the best ant killer?

TERRO T300B 2 Pack Liquid Ant Baits min: photo

Baits are the key method of getting rid of black ants.

Scientists believe that baits in dispensers or containers are more effective than disposable ones, especially liquid ones that tend to dry quickly. Read more: TOP 11 black ant killers 2019.

Gel baits are used when you need to leave a small amount of bait somewhere inaccessible: in the cracks, behind the skirting boards or on pipes and wiring.

Ants tastes’ differ and they are extremely finicky. That is why you will have to provide a variety of poison baits for insects or switch sugar and protein-based baits frequently. First, attract them to a non-toxic food source like sugar milk, cherry or diced crickets or mealworms. After they start feeding, replace the nontoxic food source with several different toxic baits, and let them choose the one they prefer.

A 5-step plan to obtain desired results

Inspect your house to reveal how black ants get into the building. Pay attention to damp places, such as gaps along the pipes, and the sites where food is stored. Once you have detected an ant, do not kill it but, instead, try to track its route. This will help you find out the problem area. Monitor the area around the house, focusing on moist piles of wood or boards. This is where ants typically establish their nests.
Clean the house. Wash the sites where ant trails have been revealed with soapy water. Dispose of the remains of food, particularly those containing sugar. Also, remove unnecessary objects with flat surfaces.
If you have noticed just one ant, kill it immediately as it is probably a forager searching for food for the colony. As soon as the forager comes across something eatable, it will communicate about the trophy to the others.
Do not confine your efforts to killing ants which you encounter in the bedroom or kitchen. They are just a small portion of the ant colony inhabiting the nest. To target the entire colony, and most importantly, the queen, use poisons. Once an ant has eaten the poisoned bait, it will carry the disease to the nest and spread it there. Such baits are available both in stations and dispensers. While the former is a safer option, the latter is recommended for treatment of hard-to-reach spots like cracks in the wall.
In case you have reasons to avoid chemicals, try natural solutions such as diatomaceous earth (DE), boric acid that can be sprinkled into the gaps and cracks. You may also apply some homemade solution using essential oils and vaseline as active ingredients. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and distribute them along the ant routes.
Ants may invade kitchens, bathrooms, offices, or bedrooms. Inspect under sinks, in cupboards, and along pipes and electrical wires. Look for large trails of ants or for just a few stragglers. Straggling ants are scouts randomly searching for food or nesting sites.
When you spot trails, try to follow the ants to where they are entering the building and to the nest if possible. You should look indoors and outdoors for holes or cracks in foundations or walls that provide entry points to buildings.
To put it simply, be vigilant and don’t let any insects penetrate your house. Eliminate any weak spots: fill the cracks, holes and gaps in the foundation, walls and window frames paying special attention to wiring and pipes.
Remove any food leftovers, especially sweets, garbage and unwanted stones, boards and other flat objects. Wash places where pests have appeared and their trails with soap to remove the odor guiding the insects.
More information about how to get rid of black ants, peculiarities of their behavior, what should you do if you have come across a single ant or discovered the entire colony can be found in our detailed guide below.

I Have a Black Ant in My Kitchen, Should I Be Worried?

Have you noticed a single ant at home and can’t find any others? Should you be worried? You should. As the scientists explain, this isn’t a wandering ant, but a forager looking for some food for the colony. Once it finds some, it signals the others to attract them to the food source. At this stage, you can stop the invasion by eliminating the forager. If you don’t do this, soon enough, hundreds or thousands of insects will head to your food stocks along the newly formed trails.

What Should You Do If There Are Nests in the Wall?

As the Texas A&M University entomologists recommend, nests in wall voids can be treated by injecting aerosol through cracks and crevices and around baseboards. If nests cannot be located, toxic baits can be effective when placed on foraging trails.

How Ant Killers Work

Dupont Advion Ant Gel Bait 4 Tubes min: photo

Read our Comparison Review to learn more about best ant killers

Top-11 Black Ant Killers

In accordance with the scientists’ recommendations we have found 11 effective and accessible products: organic for kitchen and food storage, foam for insects in the walls and effective baits for removing the entire colony, including the queen as well as powerful outdoor insecticides.

Best Indoor Killers

1. TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Baits | Indoor Slow-Acting Poison

A slow-acting Borax is the most popular and affordable option, which is why I recommend you try this product. This insecticide targets foraging ants but kills them slowly, within 2-3 days, so that they could share the poison with other members of the colony. The active ingredient is Borax that works by interfering with the insect’s digestive system and killing them after a while.

The baits come in a snap-off tab, which makes the product easy-to-use. Place the item on a flat surface, with the best locations including the spots along baseboards, under electric equipment, and around the windows. Do not place the station in the areas that have been previously sprayed with insecticide, nor should you leave any food available in the room.

The manufacturer promises that the ants will be eliminated in about two weeks but suggests that you should place new stations every three months to prevent new colonies from establishing. Based on the feedback, customers are happy with this product, rating it highly. According to them, at first, you will see a line of ants coming to the trap and a line returning to the nest. But don’t give in to the temptation to kill them! Within a month, there will be not an ant to be seen.

What I do not like about this solution is that it is liquid and, therefore, dries out quicker then a gel.

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TERRO T300B: Check the current price

2. Dupont Advion Ant Gel Bait, 4 Tubes with Plunger

Dupont Advion Ant Gel Bait, 4 Tubes with Plunger: photo

If you need a faster result, opt for Advion gel baits that can be used either with a station or without it. Applying the gel directly on the surface is a more effective but less safe solution, especially if you own pets.

With the active ingredient of Indoxacarb (0.05%), this baits is intended to kill the entire colony. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona, Indoxacarb resulted in high levels of ant mortality up to three months after application.

You can place the bait in hard-to-reach confined spaces, such as cracks and crevices, where a station will not fit. The recommended application areas also include the spots beneath electric appliances and furniture, around the sink.

This product is as popular as the previous one, with customers reporting a noticeable decrease in ants. Some purchasers assume that the formula has been changed, indicating some difference between this product and the Advion gel they purchased a year ago. They claim that now the solution is weaker and more liquidy, however, it could be just a bad batch.

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Advion: Check the current price

3. Termidor Foam – For Killing Ants in Walls

Termidor Foam – For Killing Ants in Walls: photo

Termidor Foam is a universal fipronil-based killing product for removing various species of pests. Spray the foam right into the wall voids where a colony happens to settle. The foam is quite dense so the parasites won’t be able to overcome its barrier and survive. They will die of fipronil within a few days. Although this product is quite expensive, the users unanimously admit that it is very effective and much cheaper than hiring exterminators. Its high rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars is another proof.

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Termidor: Check the current price

4. Talstar – Best Professional Insecticide | For Indoor and Outdoor Use

Talstar, a professional concentrate, contains 7.9% of bifenthrin used against ants, beetles, cockroaches, bugs and other insects. Mix it with water before use. The product will act for up to three months provided it is properly used on dry surfaces, both indoors and outdoors. The users also recommend spraying a building’s foundation outside along the perimeter to create a killing barrier for any insects attempting to penetrate your house.

Bifen IT - For Indoor and Outdoor Use: photo

Caution! This insecticide is allowed for use even in food handling areas, but it cannot be applied near bodies of water as it is toxic for aquatic plants and animals. When spraying it, wear protective gloves and avoid contact with skin and mucous membranes. Once the treated surfaces are dry, they are safe for children and pets.

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Talstar: Check the current price

Best Outdoor Killers

5. Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits – For Outdoor Use

This is special outdoor bait. A borax-based bait station is installed on the surface. This slow-acting bait acts simply: foragers will find the bait and share it with other colony members. It is then highly likely that the queen will also be poisoned and the entire colony will be therefore destroyed.

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Terro Outdoor Bait Stations: Check the current price

The bait has been highly rated by the customers. It is also available in the form of bait stakes that are stuck in the soil.

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Terro Outdoor Bait Stakes (6 Pack): Check the current price

6. Insecticides | Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter RTU Wand

Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer: photo

This Bifenthrin-based ready-to-use insecticide and is supplied in a 1.1-gallon canister. It is recommended for ant control not only by regular users but also by the University of Kentucky experts. Ortho can be used both indoors and outdoors.

This fast-acting insecticide is to be sprayed over a dry surface and no moist cleaning is permitted within a day. The product is deadly for pests and creates a protective barrier which remains effective for up to a year indoors, and for up to three months outdoors. Before conducting outdoor treatment, check the weather forecast to make sure there will be no rain for a day.

Ortho: Check the current price

7. AMDRO Ant Bait Granules | Outdoor Perimeter Treatment

Your protection line against ants should start outside the house, which is why I recommend purchasing an insecticide that was developed specifically for barrier treatment. This product is based on Hydramethylnon, an ingredient that is commonly used in baits to control ants. Scientists from the University of California note that this chemical compound is effective both when it is used alone and in combination with other active ingredients.

The solution will kill the entire colony and its queen, with a residue lasting up to three months. This 24-ounce canister will cover an area of more than 1,000 linear feet, all you need to do is distribute the bait around the perimeter of your home. It is labeled for more than 20 most widespread species of ants, so you will not have to bother your head over whether you have identified the species correctly. Nor will you have to search for their nest or detect their trails. Creating a barrier is an all-in-one approach and a good way to eliminate even those ants that you cannot see.

AMDRO: Check the current price

8. Spectracide HG-95830 Triazicide Insect Killer for Lawns & Landscapes Concentrate | Outdoor

Spectracide Insect Killer Concentrate: photo

This ready-to-use spray with gamma-cyhalothrin as an active ingredient and more reasonably-priced concentrate. Both options are universal and can cover up to 5,120 square feet of lawn. Remember that you need to dissolve the concentrate in water before use.

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Spectracide Insect Killer Spray: Check the current price

Spectracide acts on contact against over 250 insect species, their larvae, and arachnids, including the bed bugs. It also kills ants, but, judging by the reviews, it won’t remove all of them as it is useless against fire ants. No residual effect has been found as the insecticide will only kill the insects it contacts. The product is for outdoor use only.

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Spectracide Insect Killer Concentrate: Check the current price

How to Get Rid of Black Ants Naturally | Natural Treatment: Diatomaceous Earth, Boric Acid and Essential Oils

The University of Clemson scientists distinguish limonene as one of the vegetative products effective against ants: limonene is produced from citrus oils extracted from oranges and other citrus fruit peels. It is used as a contact insecticide against ants, roaches, palmetto bugs, fleas, silverfish and many other insects. Limonene has low oral and dermal toxicity to mammals, birds and fish, although it can cause skin irritation or sensitization in some people.

9. Blubonic Industries 100% Orange Oil d-Limonene, 32 oz | Can be used near food in the kitchen

A 32 oz bottle of 100% d-limonene. d-Limonene is not found separately in nature. It is made of citrus essential oils that give it the typical smell. Being a separate product, it has a strong smell and needs to be dissolved in water. Spraying such a mixture on the insects will lead to paralysis and death.

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100% d-limonene concentrate: Check the current price

If you don’t want to bother making a mixture, opt for a ready-to-use spray such as Orange Guard 103. It contains only 5% of d-limonene, the rest is water. This is a convenient product for preventing and eliminating a small infestation which smells nice.

5% d-limonene spray: Check the current price

Diatomaceous Earth is the most famous organic means of getting rid of insect pests. This mineral substance, which contains fossil remains of diatom algae, is crushed into flour sharp enough to cut through the chitinous cover of an insect and cause deadly damage to its insides. Diatomaceous Earth is safe for humans and animals, since it cannot penetrate their elastic skin.

10. Safer Brand 51703 Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug, Flea and Ant Crawling Insect Killer

The above mentioned diatomaceous earth is the most popular non-toxic insecticide. It is safe for humans and pets but not for insects. The fossil remains of diatom algae are crushed to a state of sharp deadly flour that can cut through the chitinous cover of an insect and cause deadly dehydration. Such a contact killer is unlikely to reach the queen so the colony will regenerate soon enough and repeat treatment will be required.

Safer Brand manufactures diatomaceous earth in 4-pound packs. Sprinkle the places of congestion and possible migration of ants in the house with it. It is undesirable to use diatomaceous earth outdoors as it is not water-proof. It is also effective against bed bugs, fleas, centipedes and other pests.

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Safer Brand: Check the current price

Powdered boric acid is used in baits or on its own. It is effective against ants in walls or in the furniture where it is poured through a hole and is distributed along the trails and galleries.

11. PestGuard Zap-A-Roach Boric Acid | Slow-acting Poison

Boric acid is a simple and well-known product. Powdered boric acid is used against insects, namely ants and cockroaches. This is a slow-acting stomach poison. The powder is to be placed in inaccessible places or sprayed in the nest entrance. It is also effective against a wall colony: spray it through a hole and it will distribute along the trails and galleries.

Zap-A-Roach: Check the current price

Black Ant Repellent

Eugenol, an active ingredient of clove oil, is actively used in organic insecticides. It is used when getting rid of ants, cockroaches, mites, flies, wasps, spiders and other arthropods, including herbivorous pests. Eugenol acts quickly but is not considered eco-friendly. It irritates human skin and eye mucous membranes, and that is why wearing safety goggles and rubber gloves is recommended. It is often combined with thyme, sesame, rosemary and other essential oils.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove essential oil is not an insecticide; it is used for contact insect repelling as it contains eugenol approved by scientists for eliminating pests. Mix some oil with lots of water and use it to create a protective barrier around your house. Caution! Essential oils are dangerous for pets, especially cats, for pregnant women and small children. Don’t use pure essential oils and don’t be too hopeful if you suffer from a large-scale infestation. In this case, go back to using baits.

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Black Ant Killers Comparison Chart

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Know Your Enemy: Types of Black Ants

Ants living outdoors harm live plants and sustain the population of aphids and scale insects on leaves. Once in your house, they damage furniture and climb into food storage areas. Finally, they are extremely annoying, can spoil your picnic and even bite you unpleasantly. Let us examine these species in details. Here are the black ants.

The black garden ant (Lasius niger), also known as the common black ant, is a real headache for gardeners. They nest in grassy areas and eat ripe fruits, especially fruits like strawberries. Black or dark brown workers are about 3-5 mm (⅛-3/16 of an inch) long. Lasius niger queens are extremely tenacious, their average life expectancy is 15 years and some even survive for up to 30 years. Compare this with fire ant queens who live for 3 years on average. Black garden ants build their nests in the soil and under various objects, such as stones, wood, construction materials debris, as well as in hollows and inside some rotten wood. They feed on small insects and other invertebrates, aphids’ secretions and other sweets. They breed aphids on fruit trees and garden plants to consume their secretions. In early summer, they usually explore new areas in search of new food sources. They can make their way through the brickwork and cement and find or create new trails there. It is this species that people use for observation, creating artificial lab ant farms.

Odorous house ant. They are small black ants ⅛ of an inch long. Their color varies from dark brown to shiny black. They have an uneven chest and exude a strong smell if crushed. They feed on insects, aphids’ secretion and sweet foods. They lay their trails along tree branches, house foundations and skirting boards, along the wiring and pipes and carpet edges. Outside, they tend to live in colonies in the soil under stones, fallen trees or garbage, and in apartments, they build nests in house walls, around water pipes and heating pipes. Their colonies are usually large and can number up to 10 thousand insects with many queens. If they have occupied the walls, the entomologists recommend spraying insecticides in the cracks. If you do not know the exact location of their nest, use poisonous baits.

Pavement ant. Workers are dark brown or black, all of them are 3/16 of an inch long. They feed on sweets and insects and can also get in food rich in fats. They won’t spurn pet food and prefer to go “grocery shopping” at night. Their mounds are located in turf, under stones, wood or paving tiles and small anthills can be found near water sources. A colony has one queen, different colonies are at war.

Crazy ants. These are black shiny ants 1/16 of an inch long. As the University of Florida, scientists explain, that their common name arises from its characteristic, erratic and rapid movement, and habit of not following trails as often as other ants. Their antennae and limbs are much longer than other species. They hunt insects or gather the secretions of aphids and scale insects. In the United States, they have widespread population from Florida to South Carolina and west to Texas; it can also be encountered in other states.

Little black ants. They are tiny, from 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch in length. Their presence can be detected by small craters in the ground. They often forage long distances from their nests, so their nests are often difficult to control. They live near trees or stone buildings and sometimes penetrate houses. Their preferences in food are unpretentious. They are widely distributed throughout southeastern Canada as well as northern and eastern sections of the United States, southward to the Pacific Coast. They are common in the southern half of California and in the San Francisco Bay area.

Carpenter ant — Camponotus spp. Adult workers reach ¼-½ of an inch in length and are black or black and red. If you disturb them, they will exude a typical odor. They feed on insects, aphids’ secretion, fruit nectar and other sweets. They are nasty indeed as they gnaw maze trails and galleries in dry wood where their colony settles. Initially, their presence goes unnoticed. If you happen to face this very species, read our guide, “How to get rid of carpenter ants”.

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1. TERRO Indoor Liquid Ant Bait This liquid bait is based on Borax that disrupts the insect’s stomach, killing it within 3 days. Being slow-acting, it eradicates the colony in about 2 weeks.
2. Dupont Advion Ant Gel Bait This gel formula includes Indoxacarb as an active ingredient. The bait can be placed in hard-to-reach spots, such as cracks and crevices. Ant poison: kills the colony and the queen.
3. Termidor Foam For Walls Based on Fipronil, this dry foam is intended to be sprayed right into the wall voids where ant colonies settle. The product eliminates the colony within days.
4. Talstar Professional Insecticide This professional-grade solution contains Bifenthrin and is labeled for termites. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, with the effect lasting for up to 3 months.

Type	Active Ingredients / Best Use	Action
Poison baits (bait stations)	Fast-acting: Indoxacarb Slow-acting: hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid (borax) /Use indoors or outdoors in the areas of insects’ activity and around their mounds. Ants are finicky and they change their preferences often so you will likely have to switch bait types several times.	The most effective method that can eliminate the entire colony. It is effective within 3-5 days (fast-acting), 1-5 weeks (slow-acting).
Foam and sprays	Fipronil / To be sprayed on nests in the walls.	Will kill an inaccessible colony within a few days.
Boric acid (dust)	Low-toxic insect killer / Use indoors, spray along the trails, down the cracks and shelters.	Slow-acting stomach poison.
Limonene	Citrus essential oils ingredient / Can be used near food.	Impacts the CNS, causing paralysis and death of insects.
Liquid insecticide	Bifenthrin, Gamma-cyhalothrin, Deltamethrin / Use outdoors or indoors. Pour into mounds, treat foundations and spray in the insects’ activity areas.	Kills on contact and creates a protective barrier around the house.
Diatomaceous Earth	Organic insect killer / Use indoors, spray along the trails and in the insects’ activity areas.	Contact action: the particles cut the insects’ exoskeleton and cause dehydration.
Granules	Acephate, hydramethylnon / Use outdoors for broadcast treatment, pour it around the mound and along the trails.	They destroy an outdoor colony and prevent new pests from appearing.
IGR	Pyriproxyfen / Use indoors or outdoors: spray mounds and trails. A very slow-acting product (is effective at least after a month), so be patient.	Highly effective: sterilizes the queen and therefore will remove the colony completely.
Oils and Natural sprays	Clove, peppermint, geranium, cinnamon leaf oils / Are conditionally safe, i.e. they can be used for treating any areas and creating a protective barrier around your house.	Contact action and certain repelling effect.