I had ants on my kitchen floor

[MIButterfly]

so I bought a spray that advertised it's safe to use around pets. I sprayed the ants and it worked wonderfully, killing them on contact. The problem is it didn't do anything to prevent new ants from appearing.

I guess I'll have to go back to the old spray that is not safe around pets. At least it stopped new ants from getting in.

[wcmagumba]

1. I've had luck using those little ant trays sold by Raid and others. It says they are safe around pets when properly used

There was a review on the Raid one that said their cat wouldn't go near the ant tray...I did not have any pets when I used them however so read all the information if you consider this type of thing...Supposedly the ant doesn't die immediately but will take this poison back to its nest and kill more ants that way...I'm no expert or anything so use caution...

[ShepKat]

2. simple green and window cleaner with ammonia kill on contact

spray and wipe... all done ! eventually they'll die out.

[ms liberty]

3. Borax, sugar and water...

A 2:1 or thereabouts ratio of sugar to borax. Make a paste using hot water and stir vigorously to dissolve the sugar. Let it cool and put in near the entrance points or as close to their trails as possible. The sugar coats the borax, they carry borax back to the nest and it kills the colony. If they never swarm your bait either your not using enough sugar or they're a different kind of ant; this method doesn't work for all ants.
Good luck with your problem! I'm in the rural South so ants are a continuing problem, and I have a pro come out 4 times a year. Ugh.

[Marthe48]

14. There is a barrier spray

You use it outside around the foundation. My friend used it. If you have shrubs or other greenery close to or touching your house, cut it back. The ants use the plants as a pathway. They are looking for food and moisture.

Inside, put away any grease, meat or other things like that and any sweets, too. In general, little ants like grease, big ants like sugar.

They are annoying, but so far, they don't carry diseases.

[Raven123]

4. I put one of those small ant bait units in a plastic sandwich sized container

Poked holes in it for the ants. If worried about the cats being too curious, put something heavy on top of it.

The other option I have was to put the unit in a corner and block it with a tall garbage can. Cats ignored it.

[surfered]

5. Buy a bait instead. It's a little plastic tube. You tear off a tab end, exposing a honey like liquid.

Once they find it, they’ll take it to the hive, feed the queen and the hive dies. Spraying doesn’t get to the hive.

I’ll try to find a photo of it, it’s also cheaper than spray

[surfered]

6. Here it is

[Diamond_Dog]

7. I swear by these Terro baits. They really get rid of the whole colony.

[Wiz Imp]

9. Terro baits always work perfectly for me.

Last edited Mon Jul 13, 2026, 09:35 PM - Edit history (1)

ants completely disappear in less than 24 hours.

[BlueSpot]

12. Terro is awesome.

I haven't used the baits but have used the ones you stick in the dirt alongside where you see them waking outside (even better if you know where the nest is and put it close to that). The ants take the poison back to the nest and it works like a charm.

[lisa58]

8. Combat gel...

All the ants come running and after 24 hours they have met their demise.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

10. We put these around the outside entry points of our house.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNHZSJK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

We also supplement with indoor bait traps but the outdoor stakes are what has really seem to do the trick.

[intheozone]

11. Put a little pile of cornmeal where the ants are coming in. The

Ants will take back to nest to eat, it will kill the whole nest.

[femmedem]

13. Ants are ecologically beneficial. (from Iowa State University)

I understand not wanting ants in your kitchen; I'm posting this more for people who are posting ways to wipe out an entire ant colony.

"...Profoundly important insects
It is hard to imagine any other insect or animal that has a more important and positive impact on the terrestrial environment that sustains us. Ants are among the leading predators of other insects, helping to keep pest populations low. Ants move approximately the same amount of soil as earthworms, loosening the soil in the process and increasing air and water movement into the ground. They keep the ecosystem clean of dead insect carcasses and aid in the destruction and decomposition of plant and animal matter. By carrying bits of plants and animal remains into their nests, the soil is fertilized and nutrients recycled through the world’s ecosystems. They carry seeds and help plants disperse into new areas."

More: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/ants-are-ecologically-beneficial

And since it sounds like you're considering using an insecticide that might be risky for cats, here are some symptoms that could indicate insecticide poisoning: https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/neurological/c_ct_organophosphate_carbamate_toxicity

Fingers crossed for you taking care of this. You have more than enough to deal with as it is.