Is Terro Ant Killer Poisonous?

Terro Ant Killer products are some of the many readily available ant bait solutions whose main ingredient is borax. Also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, borax is a white, powdery mineral that, in limited exposure and small doses, is generally considered non-toxic for humans and pets. While borax is used in a number of household products such as detergents, it has also proven to be an effective insecticide.

  1. Effects on Humans

    • In most cases, Terro Ant Killer will not have any effects on humans. The amount of borax contained in the bait solution is enough to be effective against ants, but not enough to have any negative effects on people.

    Risks for Pets

    • In addition to borax, Terro's bait solution also contains a sweet liquid to attract ants. If your household pet eats the solution, the pet likely won't experience any problems since the amount of poison generally isn't enough to hurt most animals. However, if your pet ingests the solution and has a reaction, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

    Endorsements

    • EcologyCenter.org encourages use of ant control products whose main ingredient is borax or boric-acid, and Terro Ant Killer is one of their recommended products.

    Precautions

    • You should always follow all safety precautions listed on the product's label. Although the amount of poison in Terro Ant Killer is minimal, you should avoid placing the bait in areas easily reached by children and pets. Also, the bait generally won't have any effect on your skin, but if you come in contact with the liquid, you should wash the exposed area with soap and warm water.

    Types

    • Terro offers a variety of ant bait products, including indoor and outdoor liquid bait traps, and waterproof ant dust for crevice treatments.