Off-the-shelf treatment products
If you have a small scale ant problem around the home, you can buy products to treat them.
However, if you are having problems, chances are your neighbours are too, and you should contact your environment / agriculture department. They may be able to help take care of the problem for you.
But here are some options. These may only be available from the suppliers listed and you may need to get the appropriate approvals before using them.
Keeping areas clean around the home is an effective way to minimise minor ant problems.
Gourmet bait stations : RAID III ant bait stations : Raid ant killer liquid : Exterm-an-ant : Vanquish Pro : Xstinguish : Diatomaceous earth : Ant ban : Permex : Deltaforce
Gourmet bait stations
Gourmet liquid bait in a ready to use bait station or a gel in a syringe that is used to replenish stations that are supplied as part of a kit. The toxicant is boric acid and the matrix is a combination of carbohydrate and protein to attract a wide variety of ants. The gel bait is faster acting than the liquid bait. Stations should be placed where ants forage and be kept out of the reach of children and domestic animals.
Available from www.antcafe.com
RAID III ant bait stations
Raid III ant bait stations are an indoors only ant bait, which use an adhesive backing to stick under counters and on walls. The manufacturers recommend placement of the stations next to walls, along baseboards, in corners under sinks and near plumbing fixtures. The toxicant is avermectin in a peanut butter based attractant. The stations are pre-filled and sealed and the manufacturers describe them as “child resistant”. The stations should be replaced within three months if ants are still present.
Available from hardware stores and supermarkets.
Raid ant killer liquid
Raid liquid uses boric acid as a toxicant. The manufacturer states the product can be used indoors and outdoors where ants are seen. In Atafu, Tokelau, Raid liquid has been used outdoors in homemade bait stations (tubes and containers hidden under houses etc.) with some effect on yellow crazy ants.
Available from hardware stores and supermarkets.
Exterm-an-ant
The toxicant in Exterm-an-ant is borax and boric acid. The bait is a carbohydrate based liquid, designed to be used in bait stations (2 of which are supplied with the product). The stations are best placed in sheltered areas near where ants are seen foraging. Keep baits well away from areas where children and domestic animals are able to interfere with them as the product can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea if swallowed. Do not use repellent sprays (or fly sprays) at the same time as the bait stations are put out as they will discourage the ants from visiting the bait stations. This bait is particularly attractive to sugar ants.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
Vanquish Pro
A pale green paste bait that uses fipronil as its toxicant. Vanquish Pro is attractive to a wide variety of ants including yellow crazy ant, little fire ant and African big-headed ant. This bait is available in 325 g cartridges that require a caulking gun to apply. The bait should be applied in sheltered areas in blobs about the size of your small fingernail. Space the blobs at approximately 3 m intervals. Full details about this product are available in the paste baits section.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
Xstinguish
Xstinguish bait differs from Vanquish Pro only in its attractant composition. Xstinguish is a pale green paste bait that uses fipronil as its toxicant. The attractive bait in Xstinguish is particularly effective against Argentine ants. This bait is available in 325 g cartridges that require a caulking gun to apply. The bait should be applied in sheltered areas in blobs about the size of your small fingernail. Space the blobs at approximately 3 m intervals. Full details about handling and distribution of paste baits are available in the paste baits section.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is an abrasive powder made from fossilized calcareous algae that creates a barrier ants find difficult to cross. A small amount should be sprinkled where ants are seen trailing or foraging. DO NOT use where food is stored or prepared. Wear a dust mask and eye protection when applying and do not eat, drink or smoke whilst using this product. Available in 250 g or 1.5 kg packs.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
Ant Ban
Ant Ban is a permethrin based residual insecticide spray. The spray should be applied as a barrier where ants are seen entering the area and around the base of kitchen benches, pantries etc. The spray can remain effective for up to 8 weeks on some surfaces. Surfaces that are wiped regularly should be re-sprayed. DO NOT spray on food or around food preparation surfaces. Keep out of reach of children.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
Permex
The Permex product is a permethrin based residual insecticide in powder form. The dust should be applied where ants are most likely to walk through it –foraging trails, window sills, near cracks and crevices etc. Do not breathe the dust and avoid contact with skin. If contact occurs wash thoroughly with soap and water. Do not apply near food or in food preparation or dining areas.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
Deltaforce
Deltaforce is a deltamethrin based residual insecticide available as a concentrate, which will need to be diluted with water before application. A 1 L bottle of concentrate makes 33 L of insecticide. The insecticide is applied using a garden spray bottle onto either porous or smooth surfaces. Deltaforce may be sprayed onto surfaces inside or out, once it has dried it is not affected by rain. DO NOT SPRAY INTO THE AIR OR USE FOGGERS. Spray areas where ants enter the building or where they are seen foraging. AVOID CONTACT WITH FOOD, FOOD PREPARATION AREAS OR UTENSILS. Cover or remove all food before use. After use ventilate the area well and thoroughly clean all food preparation or dining areas. Harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. Do not use near open water or where runoff may occur. Harmful if swallowed.
Available from www.flybusters.co.nz
content reviewed by Viv van Dyk, FBA Consulting, July 2017