10 Best Carpenter Ant Killers 2026 in the United States

The TERRO T300B Indoor Liquid Ant Killer with 12 bait stations is a highly effective solution for tackling indoor ant infestations. Its active ingredient, Borax, is well-known for its ant-killing properties. This liquid formulation ensures that ants are quickly attracted to the bait, which they then carry back to the colony, leading to a noticeable reduction in ant activity within a few days. This makes it an excellent choice for those dealing with a widespread ant problem indoors.

The product's design allows for easy placement along baseboards, in corners, and on counters, effectively targeting common household ants such as acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, and pavement ants, among others. Users will appreciate the ready-to-use feature, which requires no setup and provides a hassle-free application method.

Safety-wise, Borax is generally considered safe when used as directed, but it is always important to keep it out of reach of children and pets. The residual effect is strong as it continues to attract and kill ants over time, ensuring long-term control. The TERRO T300B is a reliable and user-friendly option for those needing an indoor ant control solution with minimal effort and maximum results.

The Hot Shot No Mess! Fogger is an aerosol insecticide designed to kill carpenter ants and other common bugs like spiders and fleas. It uses a mix of active ingredients including Tetramethrin and Cypermethrin, which are effective at killing pests on contact and continue working for up to six weeks. The fogger creates a fine, dry mist that can penetrate deep into cracks and crevices, helping to reach insects hiding out of sight. This makes it useful for enclosed spaces such as basements, attics, garages, and sheds. One nice feature is that it doesn’t require turning off pilot lights, making it slightly easier and safer to use indoors. The formula is non-staining and odorless, so it won’t leave a messy residue or strong smell behind. Each can covers about 2,000 cubic feet, which is enough for typical rooms or small spaces, though larger areas may require multiple cans.

A consideration is that because it is a fogger, you need to vacate the area during treatment and wait before re-entering, which may be inconvenient. While the product is USDA specified, it is important to carefully follow safety instructions since the chemicals can be harmful if misused. This fogger is well suited for people looking for a straightforward, no-mess way to treat enclosed indoor areas against carpenter ants and other bugs, especially if they want a residual effect without stains or odors. It is not ideal for outdoor use or open, large spaces where fog may disperse too quickly.

Raid Max Liquid Ant Bait is a ready-to-use liquid bait designed to kill ants at their source by attracting them to consume the bait and carry it back to the colony, which helps eliminate the entire colony including the queen. It uses spinosad as the active ingredient, which is effective against many common ant species. The bait stations can be placed indoors or outdoors, giving you flexibility around your home. One of the key benefits is its convenience; since the bait is pre-filled and ready to go, there’s no mixing or complicated setup required. The liquid formulation is easy for ants to feed on, which supports faster colony elimination compared to some powder or gel options.

The product is designed to minimize exposure to pets and children when used as directed, but as with most insecticides, care should be taken during application. This bait is not effective against carpenter ants, which are a common structural pest, so if carpenter ants are your specific problem, this product may not fully meet your needs. While the bait works on a wide range of other ant species, it can take several days to see results, and heavy infestations might require multiple treatments. Raid Max Liquid Ant Bait is a user-friendly and versatile choice for controlling many types of ants around the home but is not suitable for carpenter ant control, so those dealing specifically with carpenter ants might want to look for a product tailored to that species.