Buying Guide, Health

The 10 Best Dog Friendly Ant Killer For a Safe and Ant Free Home

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Author: Jacob Kay

Ants can be a serious threat to your canine friend, as they can cause issues like swelling and difficulty breathing when they bite your dog’s feet and nose.

We understand the dilemma of not wanting to hurt ants, but we can’t afford to risk our furry friends’ health. So, let’s get ready to bid farewell to those annoying ants and protect our beloved pets.

In this review article, we will take a look at some of the best dog friendly ant killer products on the market to help you protect your dog and keep your home free of ants.

Dog Friendly Ant Killer

1. Deadfast Ant Killer Plus Bait Station

dog-friendly-ant-killer-deadfast

Deadfast ant killer plus bait station contains an innovative indoxacarb ingredient that gets active only after the ant ingests the bait. It’s a safe solution and is useful in both indoor and outdoor conditions.

  • Top Feature: Pet Safe and Child Safe
  • Action: shows results within 24 hrs
  • Treatment: Indoors & Outdoors

There are two variants of this product: Deadfast Ant Killer Plus Spray and Deadfast Ant Killer Plus Natural Powder.

Using Deadfast Ant Killer Plus Bait Station

Before you use the product, make sure you remove the food items and clean up the place where you intend to use the bait. Set up the bait station on a vertical, horizontal or flat surface near the ant’s place.

Outcome

You’ll see ants entering the bait station and feel the gel it retains inside. They will return to their place, and most likely contaminate the entire colony, leading to complete colony control. The transparent nature allows you to observe the product in action. This also helps in knowing when there is a need to change the station.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Pet safe
  • Gets rid of big groups of ants
  • Usable in both indoor and outdoor conditions
  • Visible while in action

Drawbacks

  • Lots of ants gather around the bait
  • Can take more than 24hrs to get rid of ants

Having used this bait station, one thing I can share is that, it may take some time but, it will definitely solve your ant problem and keeps your dog safe.

2. RepellShield Ant Spray

dog-friendly-ant-killer-repellshield

RepellShield is an ant-repellent control spray that can easily contain ants and insects from your garden or house. The spray constitutes organic materials and poses no harm to your dog, it’s pet friendly.

  • Top feature: Spray contains organic ingredients
  • Action: Instant kill
  • Treatment: Indoors & Outdoor

Using ReppellShield Ant Sprat Indoors

For using this instant ant deter spray, you’ll have to shake the bottle well. Spray on all the potential entry points for ants. Repeat this for a couple of days.

Outcome

When you will frequently spray in the gaps, you’ll see that the ants will not come near those areas. Maintaining consistency will help you form a barrier that will prevent additional outbreaks of ants. You can use the spray outdoors as well.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Leaves no stain or toxic residue
  • Has peppermint smell
  • Long-lasting effect

Drawbacks

  • For long-lasting effect, you need to use the spray every 2-3 days

3. Zero In Dual Action Gel Ant Bait

dog-friendly-ant-killer-zero-in-dual-action-gel-and-ant-bait

Zero in dual action ant bait is a pet safe ant killer which is helpful in controlling the ants and also destroying their nest. The bait stations protect the children and pets. It has a 3-stage control strategy to get the results.

  • Top feature: Ready-to-use bait stations (pre-prepared)
  • Action: Eliminate full ant colony
  • Treatment: Indoors & Outdoor

Using Zero In Dual Action Gel Ant Bait

The worker ants are lured towards the readily active Dual Action Gel Ant Bait stations. You can use them in cracks, steps, paying, doorways, and other cracks and gaps around the access points to the home.

Further, the 3-stage strategy for tackling ants includes using the subsequent products with the bait station. These products are Ant & Crawling Insect Killer (Aerosol) and Ant Killer Powder (Powder).

Outcome

  • Stage 1 Target the ants

Use Ant & Crawling Insect Killer to instantly knock down the ants. You can also kill them using extra residual action to prevent infestations.

  • Stage 2 – Perimeter protection

With help of Ant Killer Powder, you can protect your house by spreading them across the cracks, doorways, or steps. This will help safeguard the access points in advance.

  • Stage 3 – Eliminate the Nest

The third stage is where you can use the Zero In Dual Action Gel Bait Station to completely eliminate the nest. The gel is specifically formulated and retains 1R-trans phenothrin. In short, it helps destroy the ant colony and other fleas or insects as well.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Works fast, and is long-lasting
  • Is ready to use and easily usable in the household, garage or near the shed.

Drawbacks

  • Sometimes takes more time to provide the results
  • Breaking the tabs is tricky

4. Ant Killer Bait Station from Nippon

dog-friendly-ant-killer-bait-station-petshield

Ant Killer Bait Station is an enclosed liquid solution that contains spinosad which stops ants and traps them in their track. You can use this bait station anywhere in the house or even in the garden.

  • Top Feature: Totally Enclosed
  • Action: Stopping and trapping the ants
  • Treatment: Indoor & Outdoor

Using Ant Killer Bait Station

Take the bait station and place it at the location where you find the maximum ants. However, to lure the ants towards the bait, it’s necessary you put the bait station in the path of the ants.

Outcome

Once the ants enter the station, take the liquid to their group, and the active ingredient will spread throughout the group destroying their nest.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Disrupts the track of ants and eliminates the entire nest
  • No mess or trace is left behind
  • Unlike other liquid solutions, it’s Fully enclosed

Drawbacks

  • Not child safe
  • Can cause allergic reactions
  • The long-lasting effect can harm aquatic life

5. Ortho Home Defense Max Insect Killer

dog-friendly-ant-killer-ortho-home-defense-max-insect-killer

Ortho Home Defense Max Insect Killer is effective in killing ants. It’s effective both indoors and outdoors. The formula is odour free. Not just ants, being an insect killer it also helps clean out fleas, ticks, cockroaches, spiders etc.

  • Top Feature: One-touch continuous spray
  • Action: Prevent ant infestation
  • Treatment: Indoor & Outdoor

Using Ortho Home Defense Max Insect Killer

Before using this insect killer, make sure you remove the food items from the kitchen or cover the food processing surface and utensils to avoid any contamination.

Now, shake the spray well, and set the spray nozzle to an indoor setting. Apply the solution in the areas where ants are a continuous problem. Afterwards, make sure that the dogs or any other individual don’t re-enter the area until it gets dry. Also, wash the area thoroughly and utensils even if they were covered.

Outcome

Once you apply this insect killer you’ll witness a gradual impact. Ants will not bother you for quite some time.

Eye-catching Benefits

  • Odourless and dries up quickly
  • Leaves no residue after used
  • If the spray is kept undisturbed it’s reusable

Drawbacks

  • If dogs get in contact with the solution or ingest it, there are fatal consequences
  • Contains pesticides which can cause an environmental hazard

6. Pestmatic Smart Spray

dog-friendly-ant-killer-pestamtic-smart-spray

Pestamtic smart spray is effective and hygienic. It’s mainly curated for washing away ants from walls, pavements, rooms, terraces, plants, etc.

  • Top Feature: Smart Spray
  • Action: Control and eliminate ant infestations
  • Treatment: Indoors & Outdoors

Using Pestmatic Smart Spray

Simply spray the solution on the areas where ants are seen frequently. Target their nest, daily track, or their nest site.

Outcome

You will observe the ant infestation is under control and ants don’t revisit the areas where the spray is used.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Non-toxic and pet-friendly solution
  • Gets ants away from the sprayed areas

Drawbacks

  • The effect wears off quickly so, spraying at regular intervals becomes necessary

7. Ant Killer Powder by Pestshield

dog-friendly-ant-killer-powder

This dog friendly Ant killer powder from petshield is an advanced formula that contains permethrin. The presence of this ingredient offers an effective way to eliminate ants and insects. This is a wood material and works on wasps as well.

  • Top Feature: Powder form, allows maximum coverage of the area
  • Action: Kill ants
  • Treatment: Indoor & Outdoor

Using the Ant Killer Powder

You can easily spread the formula across the areas you need to target. Place it indoors or outdoors surfaces, for example, driveways, or paths.

Outcome

Has a long-lasting effect after it is applied. Not just ants, it also kills cockroaches, earwigs, woodlice, wasps, and different crawling insects.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Wood Material
  • Quick action and long-lasting effect

Drawbacks

  • Toxic and may cause allergic reactions in the dog
  • May need to use more material for better results

8. Green Haven Ant Killer

dog-friendly-ant-killer-green-haven

Green haven ant killer is an insecticide powder useful for tackling ants, earwigs, cockroaches, and other crawling insects. The natural and organic formulation eliminates ants without causing any hazardous effects on your dog.

  • Top feature: Quick and effective
  • Action: kill ants
  • Treatment: Indoor & Outdoor

Using Green Haven Ant Killer

Start spreading the powder in areas where ants visit regularly. You can use it in your living room, bedroom etc. Further, you can use this ant killer in your garden as well.

Outcome

The ants get killed quickly after they come in contact with the powder. In fact, once you apply the formula, it can potentially provide residual protection for approximately 3 months.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Kills ants on contact
  • Retains natural and organic ingredients

Drawbacks

  • Contains a slight proportion of permethrin, and is unsafe for cats
  • The lasting effect is toxic for the aquatic life

9. First Choice Kaya Ant Killer Powder

dog-friendly-ant-kiler-powder-first-choice-kaya

The Ant Killer Powder from First Choice Kaya helps to remove ants from your gardens and houses. The powder is ready to use and can offer 3 months of protection to make sure they don’t come crawling back.

  • Top Feature: Ready-to-use insecticidal powder
  • Action: Control and eliminate ants
  • Treatment: Indoor & Outdoor

Using First Choice Kaya Ant Killer Powder

Apply the powder on the ant’s path, near doorways, cracks or anywhere ants are active in the house. This will help you repel and eliminate the ants.

Outcome

If used properly ants will surely get eliminated and would not come back to the areas where you applied the powder. The ready-to-use powder terminates their nest.

Eye-catching benefit

  • Offers protection for 3-months

Drawbacks

  • Toxic for aquatic life
  • Can cause an allergic reaction in the dogs if they come in contact

10. Nope! Ant Killer Bait Station

dog-friendly-ant-killer-bait-station-nope

Nope! is a gel-based ant killer bait station. It retains systematic insecticide and an Insect Growth Regulator. In comparison with dry baits, the professional formula in the gel helps deal with ants more efficiently.

  • Top Feature: Gel-based formula
  • Action: Kill ants and get rid of nests
  • Treatment: Indoor & Outdoor

Using Nope! Ant Killer Bait Station

Snap off the end of the bait station and squeeze the gel capsule. Use more than one bait station in different locations for targeting the queen and reaching the nest faster.

Outcome

When you place the gel in different locations, the ants will die near the nest instead of the house. This happens as the worker ants take gel into the nests and the entire colony is infected and they die there. Hence, the entire nest is dealt with.

Eye-catching benefits

  • Eliminates the entire nest
  • No environmental pollution

Drawbacks

  • Complete elimination may take several weeks
  • The gel needs to get replaced every day

Buyer’s Guide: Pick the Best Dog Safe Ant Killer

There are many dog friendly ant killer products out there and we tried highlighting some of the best dog safe ant killers you can use. But, picking a specific ant killer out of them can get tricky. So, what are some crucial aspects you need to consider before you buy any of these dog safe ant killer products?

1. Find out safe pesticides

In order to pick a dog safe ant killer, you need to find out which pesticides are safe for the dogs. The pesticides come in different ranges i.e. they include natural elements that are safe and chemical elements which can cause issues.

List of safe elements/ingredients in ant killer

Following is the list of elements or ingredients in an ant killer that are considered safe.

  • Diatomeou

This element is considered natural and safe. Picking this food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe if you plan on using around the dogs.

  • Spinosad

This ingredient is a common pesticide to treat mosquitos and ants. It’s not harmful to dogs even if they ingest it. It’s also useful in controlling fleas on other pets.

  • Borax

Borax is found in the majority of the poisoned bait for ants. It’s not harmful if swallowed by the dog in small amounts.

  • Indoxacarb

This ingredient is found in ant gels and is safe for the dog. But, make sure that your dog doesn’t end up ingesting it.

  • Imidacloprid

Imidacloprid is a common ingredient in ant-killer products, however, you don’t want your dog accidentally consuming them as Imidacloprid can lead to dog poisoning, especially if they are sick or old in age.

2. Treatment Plan: Indoor or Outdoor

While picking the best dog safe ant killer, it’s important to consider the treatment plan. This means whether you have to treat the ants indoors or outdoors.

Also, make sure that the ant killer you use traces back to their territory as they live in packs of thousands. If you find the base, great, it’s best to carry out the treatment there itself. However, it is difficult to spot the ants outdoors. In such cases, you may have to start with indoor treatment.

Regardless, you have to carry out the treatment to get rid of them to keep your dog safe.

3. Types of ant killer

Once, you lay out the plan, it’s time to figure out which type of ant killer suits your plan the best. In general, there are 4 types.

  1. Ant Sprays – act as a kill-on contact or a repellent. These sprays may not cover their entire territory or eliminate each of them but, can easily buy you some time to clean up the mess within the house i.e. getting rid of food items or cleaning the kitchen place.
  2. Ant Traps – are basically containers used as bait. The idea is to catch ants by providing a source of food. These food items in the container are poisonous and will kill the ants within a few days.
  3. Ant powders – also use bait and poison strategy. Being a powder, it provides you with the flexibility to use it in a proportion you prefer and the places as well.
  4. Ant gels – are useful when you have ants coming through holes or cracks in the wall. The strategy for using these gels is simple. The ants carry the gel on their bodies to their colony. The majority of the gels take time to dry but, they are best to be used in summer.

These are some aspects you have to consider. Also, it’s important you figure out whether it’s a single ant or a big group. If it’s a single ant, the spray might do the job. But, if it’s a big group, you may have to use different strategies.

FAQs

Is ant powder safe for dogs?

There are quite a few ant powders that can harm dogs. Such ant-killer powders may contain boric acid or a toxic substance like permethrin which can cause health issues for your canine friend. It’s best to use pet friendly ant killer.

Can you formulate a homemade dog safe ant killer?

Yes, you can form an ant killer that is safe for dogs at home. For instance, you can simply mix borax, and peanut butter in a container and put them in a container. Form the holes, big enough for ants to get to the bait and small enough to prevent your dog from having it.
In addition, you can use substances like white vinegar, soap, or even spray hot water.

Which is the best dog friendly ant killer UK?

Nippon Ant Killer Powder is probably one of the best ant killers in the UK. It’s also presumably the safest as it doesn’t cause any issues for dogs and children.

Concluding Remarks on Dog Friendly Ant Killer

We hope that this list helps you in your search for the best dog friendly ant killer. While using any of these dog safe ant killers, make sure you follow the instructions specific to the product. The majority of these ant sprays, powders or gels are dog friendly but, a few of them may cause some issues for your dog and also for the people in the house.

So pick the best suitable product as per the requirements and get your dog and house rid of the ant problem.

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About
Jacob Kay
Jacob Kay is a Veterinary Advisor and Editor at WWD. He’s also a dog lover and has two pet dogs of his own. He has extensive knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine and is always happy to share his insights with others.

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