10 Best Ant Killers 2025 in the United States

The Hot Shot Pest Control Fogger is designed mainly for indoor use and targets a wide range of insects, including ants, roaches, and spiders. Its active ingredients, Tetramethrin and Cypermethrin, work quickly to kill bugs on contact and continue killing for up to two months, which makes it helpful for heavy infestations. The fogger creates a fine mist that can reach into cracks and hidden areas where ants often hide, increasing its effectiveness. One useful feature is that it doesn’t leave a messy, wet residue and the clear mist won’t stain surfaces. Each can covers about 2,000 cubic feet, which is suitable for treating larger rooms or smaller whole-house applications in enclosed spaces like basements or garages.

Because it’s a fogger, it is best used in unoccupied spaces and requires some preparation, such as covering food and pets, which might be inconvenient for some. It also doesn’t specify targeting particular ant species, so it’s a general insect killer rather than a specialized ant bait or trap. While effective for quick knockdown and heavy infestations indoors, it’s not intended for outdoor use or ongoing prevention outside the treated area.

Safety-wise, users should handle it carefully because of the chemical ingredients and follow instructions to avoid exposure. This product is suitable for those needing fast, broad indoor pest control in larger spaces but may not be ideal if targeted ant treatments or outdoor solutions are preferred.

The Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer is a versatile spray designed to handle a wide range of household insects, including ants, making it a good choice for an all-around pest control solution rather than just an ant-specific product. It offers protection for up to 12 months indoors on non-porous surfaces, which provides impressive long-term prevention. You can use it both inside your home—in kitchens, bathrooms, and around entry points—and outside around your foundation or patio, giving you flexible options for tackling ants wherever they appear.

The included battery-powered Comfort Wand makes spraying easier and more controlled, so applying the product around your home involves minimal effort and mess. While it is marketed for indoor and outdoor use, care should be taken when applying indoors to avoid contact with food or sensitive areas. The product’s large 1.33-gallon size means it should last a long time, but it is also fairly heavy, which might be less convenient for some users.

This Ortho product is a reliable, long-lasting insect killer that covers ants among other pests and features an easy-to-apply spray system suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It is important to follow safety instructions carefully, especially around children and pets.

The Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer is designed specifically to tackle fire ant problems outdoors by killing the queen and destroying the entire mound. It starts working within about an hour, allowing you to restore your yard quickly. The product comes as granules that you sprinkle directly over ant mounds—no need to water it in, making application straightforward.

This product effectively targets fire ants and can cover up to 162 mounds with the two 12-ounce bottles in the pack. Its active ingredient is acephate, a common chemical known for insect control. The treatment is safe to use around ornamental plants like flowers and shrubs, but it is intended primarily for outdoor use and is not suitable for indoor ant problems. For best long-term control, it works well as part of a two-step system alongside Ortho’s broadcast granules, which are sold separately.

Users find it effective and fast-acting, making it a reliable choice for homeowners who need an outdoor solution for fire ants. The product offers easy application and quick results while focusing on outdoor use.