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5 Best Ant Gel Baits 2022

by Professor Pest
Best Ant Gel Baits

Whether you are a seasoned pest professional or an aspiring do-it-yourself pest controller, dealing with ants can be ever-challenging. Fortunately, proper use of ant gel baits can simplify the ant control process. It is important to note that not all ant gel bait products work equally well for all ant species, and some ants respond best to a very specific treatment regimen incorporating certain specific products.

It's also important to acknowledge that when dealing with ants, sometimes it is better to do nothing than to do the wrong thing. In some instances, improper treatment measures may actually cause the ant populations to explode. When threatened by repellent insecticides or dusts, for instance, many ant species have a tendency to "split" or "bud," breaking off into multiple sub-colonies and increasing ant reproduction. Proper use of baits typically removes this concern from the equation. 

Pest Control Everything has put together our list of Top 5 Ant Gel Bait Products that should be a mainstay in every pest controller's arsenal. Our ratings are based on personal professional experience using these products on hundreds or thousands of properties. This particular list is based on our assessment of the overall practicability of the bait across a wide range of uses. Specific ant infestations may be better approached using alternative or additional ant control products not included on this list. Our  Ant Gel Bait Comparison Guide provides a side-by-side comparison of popular ant gel bait products. 

For further assistance selecting products for your particular ant problem, please email professorpest@pestcontroleverything.com or use our Ask Professor Pest live chat option for FREE real-time support. 

How To Apply Ant Gel Bait...

# 1 Dupont Advion Ant Gel Bait

Best Ant Gel Bait - AdvionDupont Advion Ant Gel Bait is a translucent, odorless, sugar-based ant gel bait designed to be attractive and effective against all major ant species. Its slightly delayed action kill allows for total colony elimination through a methodical exposure via feeding and grooming. Target Ant Species: Acrobat Ants, Argentine Ants, Big Headed Ants, Carpenter Ants, Cornfield Ants, Crazy Ants, Field Ants, Ghost Ants, Harvester Ants, Honey Ants, Little Black Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pavement Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Pyramid Ants, Rover Ants, Thief Ants, White Footed Ants.  

Manufacturer: Syngenta

Active Ingredient: Indoxacarb .05%

Technical Information: Indoxacarb has been used in pest control products since 2000, and impacts insects such as ants by disabling or disrupting their central nervous system via sodium channel blockers.

    Rating Information: Advion Ant Gel Bait is Professor Pest's most highly regarded general use ant gel bait due to its effectiveness against a broad spectrum of ants, ease of application, durability in varying climates, and product consistency. Advion can be applied indoors or outdoors on horizontal and/or vertical surfaces.   

     

    Professor Pest's Insights

    Professor Pest particularly recommends Advion Ant Gel Bait for combating interior concentrations of Ghost and Pharaoh Ants, as well as advanced populations of White Footed Ants. It is best applied as thin, narrow strips in direct proximity to areas of harborage on inaccessible horizontal surfaces away from direct sunlight. It is critical to provide an ample supply of bait at the time of the first bait application, as secondary applications are often met with less aggressive feeding. 

    Each box of Advion Ant Gel Bait includes detachable, reusable applicator tip(s). After use, these tips have a tendency become clogged with the residue of solidified gel bait. To minimize this risk, remove the applicator tip following each application and replace with the sealer cap originally attached. This will also help keep the bait fresh and increase its longevity. If applicator tips become clogged, consider insert a straightened paper clip through the tip to free it of hardened bait. 

     

     

    # 2 OPTIGARD ANT GEL BAIT

    Optigard Ant BaitOptigard Ant Gel Bait is a transparent, odorless ant gel bait with a noticeably thicker consistency which allows it to hold its shape without running longer than many alternative gel baits. Like Advion, Optigard is attractive and effective against a broad spectrum of major ant species, making it an ideal general ant control option. Target Ant Species: Acrobat Ants, Argentine Ants, Big Headed Ants, Crazy Ants, Ghost Ants, Little Black Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pavement Ants, Pharaoh's Ants, Rover Ants, Thief Ants, White Footed Ants. 

    Manufacturer: Syngenta

    Active Ingredient: Thiamethoxam .01%

    Technical Information: Thiamethoxam belongs to a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids which are synthetic derivatives of nicotine. It impacts insects by interfering with certain receptors in their central nervous system, causing eventual paralysis.

    Rating Information: Optigard is highly regarded by Professor Pest for its palatability and effectiveness against many of the most commonly encountered nuisance ant species across the United States. Its thicker consistency, though useful in holding its shape, makes it less easy to apply optimally than some other ant gel baits, and has a tendency to spurt or clump during application. To optimize bait acceptance and maximize value, applicators should apply in uniformly thin strips, as ants feed along the outer edges of the bait.  

    What Makes Optigard Different: Whereas most tubed ant gel bait products are applied using detachable, reusable applicator tips, each Optigard syringe has its own built-in applicator tip. This is an advantage in some ways, as users don't need to keep track of applicator tips. Following each application, before to seal the end of tip with the caps provided. 

     

    Professor Pest's Insights

    Professor Pest particularly recommends Optigard for newly introduced or established interior concentrations of Ghost Ants or Odorous House Ants, and is best utilized as thin strip placements on inaccessible vertical or horizontal surfaces in direct proximity to ant harborage, away from direct sunlight. Like other gel baits, exposure to high temperatures has a tendency to liquify the bait, making it runnier and more difficult to effectively apply. 

     

    #3 MAXFORCE QUANTUM ANT GEL BAIT

    Maxforce Quantum Ant BaitMaxforce Quantum Ant Gel Bait is a clear, odorless gel bait scientifically formulated to retain moisture and remain attractive to a broad spectrum of ants for up to 3 months at a time. Target Ant Species: Acrobat Ants, Argentine Ants, Big Headed Ants, Crazy Ants, Ghost Ants, Little Black Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pavement Ants, Pharaoh's Ants, Rover Ants, Thief Ants, White Footed Ants. 

    Manufacturer: Bayer Environmental

    Active Ingredient: Imidacloprid .03%

    Technical Information: Imidacloprid has been used in pest control products since 1994, and belongs to a class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids which are synthetic derivatives of nicotine. It impacts insects by disabling their central nervous system. 

    Rating Information: Quantum is designed for use indoors or outdoors, with or without the provided plastic bait stations. Like Advion and Optigard, Quantum provides effective, long-term resolution of many ant species. 

    What Makes Quantum Different: Quantum is closer to a liquid than many of the other top ant gel bait products, and comes in a squeezable tube (as opposed to a syringe with plunger) accompanied by refillable plastic ant bait stations. While Advion, Optigard, and Maxforce FC are each best applied in thin strips, Quantum is best applied as small droplets. 

     

    Professor Pest's Insights

    Professor Pest recommends Quantum for interior concentrations of Ghost Ants and advanced populations of Argentine Ants, and is best utilized as small liquid droplet placements on inaccessible horizontal surfaces away from direct sunlight. Provided plastic bait stations may also be used, but may have a tendency to minimize bait acceptance. 

     

     

    #4 MAXFORCE MAXFORCE FC ANT GEL BAIT

    Maxforce FC Ant KillerMaxforce FC Killer Ant Gel Bait is a carbohydrate-rich ant gel bait that capitalizes on a process called trophallaxis whereby ants consume the bait and then feed it to other members of their colony, creating a domino effect towards total colony elimination. Target Ant Species: Acrobat Ants, Argentine Ants, Big Headed Ants, Cornfield Ants, Field Ants, Honey Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pavement Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Thief Ants. 

    Manufacturer: Bayer Environmental

    Active Ingredient: Fipronil .001%

    Technical Information: Fipronil has been used in pest control products since 1996, and has become widely used in topical pet care products, termiticides, turf products, and agriculture products. In insects, it is lethal by both contact and ingestion, and works by blocking certain chloride channels in the central nervous system resulting in excessive neuronal stimulation and ultimately death. 

    Rating Information: Although Maxforce FC has proven highly effective against certain ant species such as Argentine Ants, its label is less inclusive than some of the other ant gel bait products, causing it to rank slightly lower as a general all-purpose ant control product. 

     

    Professor Pest's Insights

    Professor Pest recommends Maxforce FC when the specific ant species is known to be one of the specific species identified on the label, other than Big-Headed Ants. For Big Headed Ants, Professor Pest recommends a granular bait product such as Maxforce Complete.

     

    #5 ADVANCE 388B ANT GEL BAIT

    Advance 388b Ant BaitPT 388b Advance Ant Gel Bait is an all-purpose, easy to use, borax based ant gel bait the provides effective containment and control of multiple ant species. 388b has the same concentration of active ingredient as Terro ant bait, a commonly used ant control product found at local hardware stores and supermarkets across the United States. Target Ant Species: Acrobat Ants, Allegheny Ants, Argentine Ants, Big Headed Ants, Cornfield Ants, Crazy Ants, Ghost Ants, Harvester Ants, Honey Ants, Little Black Ants, Odorous House Ants, Pavement Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Pyramid Ants, Thief Ants, White Footed Ants. 

    Manufacturer: BASF

    • BASF Contact Information

    Active Ingredient: Borax 5.4%

    Technical Information: Unlike the active ingredient of many other top-rated ant gel bait products which interfere with the ant's nervous system, Borax works by slowly impeding an ant's digestive system. 

    Rating Information: PT 388b made it into Professor Pest's Top 5 Ant Gel Bait products due to its versatility and palatability. In some instances, syringe-based Terro ant gel bait may be substituted with similar results.

     

    Professor Pest's Insights

    Professor Pest particularly recommends PT 338B Advance for Ghost Ants and White Footed Ants. 

     

     

    Still have questions about ant gel bait products? Professor Pest's Live Online Chat provides free, real-time support to help you make well-informed decisions regarding your pest control needs. 

     

    Are Ant Bait Gels Better Than Ant Bait Granules?

    Ant bait gels can provide excellent ant control, and in some instances, total ant colony elimination. The same can be said of ant bait granules. Whether to use gel bait or granular bait depends upon the particular ant species being treated for, location of the infestation, and other environmental factors. Some ant species such as Big Headed Ants, Carpenter Ants, and Red Imported Fire Ants may often respond better to granular bait, whereas species such as White Footed Ants, Ghost Ants, and Pharaoh Ants are much more likely to be controlled using ant gel baits. Before beginning any ant baiting program, be sure to properly identify the ant species and determine which formulation will be most likely to be effective. 


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