Will Fire Ant Bait Kill Other Ants?

Ant baits can be purchased or made at home.

Commercial ant baits are often effective against a variety of ants, including fire ants. Many types of homemade baits are also very effective against a variety of ant species and may even kill a small colony.

Boric Acid and Sugar

Chemical ant baits often use a form of boric acid, but homemade versions are relatively simple. Mix boric acid with a sugar source--such as corn syrup or confectioners' sugar--in approximately even amounts. Sugar attracts ants, who then carry the poisoned bait back to the colony--including the queen, who the colony will not survive without. If the sugar solution is ineffective, try adding a few drops of vegetable oil; they may be craving fat more than sugar. Boric acid is toxic; keep it away from children and pets.

How Chemical Ant Baits Work

Many commercially available chemical ant baits work by halting the reproductive ability of ant colonies--particularly queens--in some way. All ants reproduce similarly, so these chemicals are effective against a wide variety of species, including fire ants. Check package labels, however, to ensure the product lists fire ants and other species as targets.

Ant Bait Chemicals

Non borate-based, commercially available ant baits likely contain the chemicals hydramethylnon, spinosad, fenoxycarb, S-methoprene, pyriproxifen or abamectin, according to the website Fire Ants Guide, which are effective against a variety of ant species. Check package labels for active ingredients.

References

• Fire Ants Guide: Fire Ant Baits
• eBugs: Homemade Ant Killer Bait