When dealing with an ant infestation, you need a solution that will target the ants you see and the ants hiding in the nest. Ant baits are effective because they target the colony, the source of the infestation. To effectively bait, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. We’ve gathered information about ant baits to help you eliminate an infestation.
How Do Ant Baits Work?
Our No Spill Ant Kill and our Ant Killer Bait are designed to attract and kill ants. Ants eat the bait and carry it back to the nest to share with the colony. The ant bait slowly kills the ants, giving them time to return to the nest. As the bait spreads throughout the nest, it will gradually eliminate the colony. Infestations can be eliminated in days to weeks depending on the size of the colony.
Tips for Effective Ant Baiting
Setting yourself up for success is always important when using insecticides. Check out a few tips to ensure your ant baiting is effective.
Remove Food Sources
If ants are in your home, there’s a good chance they found something to eat. Before you begin baiting, you’ll want to remove potential food sources. Ants can easily get distracted from going to the bait if there is something else for them to eat. To help ensure that ants go to the bait, you’ll want to identify the food source that first attracted them and remove it. Focus on sweeping, mopping, and wiping down counters to remove crumbs or sugary residue.
Use the Right Bait
Ants will eat a variety of things, but their preferences will likely change throughout the year depending on the needs of the colony. In spring, ants typically want protein. In summer and fall, ants tend to want something sweet. Choosing a bait that aligns with their needs is important. To test what type of bait you should use, you can set out an index card with a little peanut butter (protein) and jelly (sugar). See where the ants go, and choose your bait accordingly.
Properly Place the Bait
When you set out bait, you want to make it as easy as possible for the ants to find it. Place the bait near trailing ants and in areas where ants have been seen. Ant problems start outside, so you’ll want to place bait outside close to where ants are found entering your home. If you can locate the nest, bait can be placed around the base of it. You can also set up a perimeter defense system by placing bait every 5 to 10 feet around the perimeter of your home.
Don’t Use a Repellent Spray
Our plant-based insecticide sprays kill on contact and provide residual repellency. These products are effective when you’re wanting to spot treat bugs. However, if you’re using a bait, you’ll want to avoid spraying insecticides near it. For baits to work, you need ants to eat it. The repellent properties of the insecticide sprays will repel ants, deterring them from going to the bait.
Monitor the Bait
After setting out the bait, you need to keep any eye on it. Check it daily to make sure ants have a fresh supply. Replenish the bait when it is depleted. If the bait has dried out, you can add a little water to help moisten it. While you need to monitor the bait, you also need to be patient. If ants are coming to the bait, then it’s working. It will take a few days for the bait to start killing the ants and for it to make its way through the colony.
No one wants to share their home with ants, which is why finding an effective solution is important. With the help of baits, you can keep your home free of these pests. If you’re dealing with an ant problem, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.