Do Ant Sprays Work?

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The short answer is that it depends – on the type of spray you use, the species of ant you’re dealing with, the extent of your ant problem, and more. Ants are tiny and elusive bugs, and no matter where in or around your home they’ve settled down, getting rid of them completely is hard or impossible to do without professional help.

Many homeowners will turn to ant sprays in an attempt to save money, but how well do these sprays actually work? The Active Pest Control team is here with some insight and advice.

How Does Ant Spray Work?

Ant spray effectiveness depends primarily on the ingredients used. These sprays are usually formulated to kill ants on contact or repel them. The most common ingredients in ant sprays are:

• Pyrethroids. These are synthetic chemicals that mimic natural insecticides. These kill ants on contact by acting on their nervous systems, eventually paralyzing and killing them.
• Neonicotinoids. These chemicals are also neurotoxic and work by paralyzing and killing ants. While effective, certain states have banned them due to environmental concerns.
• Essential oils. Certain sprays use natural oils, like peppermint, clove, or citrus, to repel ants. While considered safer, they are also less effective.

The effectiveness of an ant spray depends on the effectiveness of the ingredients, along with the type of ant you’re dealing with and how many there are. Each ant spray also comes with application instructions that should be followed for maximum effectiveness.

Does Ant Spray Actually Work?

Ant spray will provide short-term effectiveness. Spraying a trail of ants with an insecticide will usually kill them quickly, but unless you address the root causes of an ant infestation, you won’t be able to take them all out.

Successful long-term ant control includes…

• Sealing entry points. Identify and seal weak points in your home’s exterior to prevent ants from entering in the first place.
• Removing food sources. Keep food in airtight containers and clean up spills and crumbs right away.
• Using bait. Leaving out poisoned bait can help eliminate an ant colony at the source. When ants bring back poisoned food, it can reach the queen and devastate the population.

You can do some ant control on your own, but to be completely sure the problem is solved, it’s best to call the Active Pest Control team.

Are Ant Sprays Safe?

Ant sprays are not inherently safe; it’s important to stick to the product guidelines if you choose to use one, especially if you have pets or young children. Many of these sprays contain chemicals that can be harmful if used incorrectly. Make sure to apply in out-of-reach areas and make sure the product dries completely before children or pets are allowed in the area.

Why Do Ants Keep Coming Back?

With over-the-counter sprays alone, ants will usually return to the area after a short time. There are a few reasons for this:

• Hidden ants. Ant colonies can be built just about anywhere, even out of sight. If you only use ant spray on the ants you can see, you’ll miss most of them, and their numbers will recover quickly.
• Multiple colonies. You may be dealing with more than one colony at once!
• Pheromone trails. Ants leave behind invisible trails to tell their fellows where to find food. Unless these trails are removed, other ants from that colony will follow them.

Active Pest Control is Here to Help

Ant sprays might be helpful in the short term, but beyond that immediate relief, they won’t do much. Plus, when handled improperly, they can do more harm than good. That’s why it’s always best to call on the professionals at Active Pest Control when you’re dealing with an ant problem. Our team has been helping homeowners all over Georgia deal with ants and all sorts of other bugs since 1985.

Give us a call to get started with a free estimate!

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