Target the ant queen and larvae by getting toxic bait into the nest through worker-to-larvae feeding pathways.

Use slow-acting, ingestible baits formulated for the species you are facing. Identify whether the ants prefer sugars or proteins by offering small samples and observing what workers carry; match bait type to that preference so workers reliably take it back to the nest. Choose baits that require digestion and trophallaxis or feeding of solid food to larvae, because many queens are fed by larvae or receive nutrients redistributed in the colony; products labeled as slow-acting insecticide with an active ingredient that allows delivery to the brood are best. Place fresh bait stations along trails, near entry points and along walls every three to five feet, replacing bait when it is gone or contaminated. Keep competing food sources off counters and floors so workers select the bait over household scraps; store pet food and open produce in sealed containers and wipe up spills promptly. Monitor activity for up to six weeks because colony collapse can be gradual and repeated baiting may be required to reach all nest chambers.

Common mistakes include using contact sprays that kill visible workers but leave the queen and brood intact, which you avoid by choosing ingestion baits that circulate through the colony. Another problem is offering the wrong food type so workers ignore the bait, fix this by testing sugar and protein baits to determine the colony preference and then switching to the accepted formulation. A third issue is placing bait incorrectly or replacing it too slowly, and the fix is to set multiple small bait stations along active trails and check them daily so workers have continual access until activity declines.

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