10 Best Plant Insect Killers 2025 in the United States

The Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor and Perimeter Concentrate is designed to effectively kill and prevent a range of home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, and spiders. One of its major strengths is its versatility; you can use it both indoors and outdoors. It’s particularly useful for creating a long-lasting barrier that prevents new infestations for up to 12 months on non-porous surfaces indoors. This makes it highly effective for long-term pest control.

Additionally, its non-staining and odor-free formulation ensures it won’t damage your surfaces or leave unpleasant smells, making it user-friendly for indoor environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. However, the product does require dilution with water and the use of a tank sprayer, which could be considered inconvenient for some users who prefer a ready-to-use solution.

As for safety, while it is designed to be safe for use around humans when applied as directed, it's always important to follow safety guidelines to avoid any potential risks. The active ingredients, Bifenthrin and Zeta-Cypermethrin, are effective but can have environmental impacts if not used correctly, so careful application is advised. This product would be most beneficial for homeowners seeking comprehensive and long-lasting pest control solutions both inside and around their homes.

The TERRO T1813 Outdoor Ready-to-Use Liquid Ant Bait Stake Killer Trap is designed to target common household ants such as acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, and pavement ants. Its primary strength lies in its dual action: it attracts ants and then kills them, including those you don't see, as worker ants spread the bait to the entire colony. This leads to a significant reduction in ant populations within a few days.

The ease of use is another strong point; simply insert the stakes and cut the tab to activate the trap. It's specifically designed for outdoor use, making it effective in preventing ants from entering your home in the first place. However, it may not be suitable for indoor use due to its outdoor-specific design.

In terms of safety, the product seems to focus on targeting ants without posing a significant risk to plants and humans, but caution should still be exercised, especially around pets and children. The bait stakes are made of plastic, which has some environmental impact, though they are lightweight and compact. This product would be particularly beneficial for homeowners looking to manage ant infestations primarily in their yards or gardens.

The Garden Safe Crawling Insect Killer uses diatomaceous earth, a natural powder, to kill various crawling insects like cockroaches, ants, silverfish, and beetles by contact. You can apply it indoors or outdoors in places like basements, garages, or sheds using a hand or power duster, making it easy to target problem areas. It works without any odor or staining, which is a plus for indoor use.

The powder kills insects within 24 hours and offers long-lasting control, so you don't have to reapply frequently. Since it contains silicon dioxide, it's generally safe for plants and humans when used as directed, but you should avoid inhaling the dust during application. Being a mechanical insect killer rather than chemical, it has minimal environmental impact and is EPA approved.

One limitation is that because it works by physical contact, it won't repel insects, so you need to apply it where insects are active. Also, it targets crawling insects only, so it won't be effective against flying bugs. For those seeking a natural and low-toxicity solution for crawling pests with a simple application method, this product is a fitting choice.