Battling the Great Ant Invasion: How I Finally Reclaimed My Kitchen May 12, 2025 Written by: Lee I’ll never forget the morning I discovered the “ant highway” stretching across my kitchen counter. It was like a tiny parade of sweet - toothed invaders marching straight into my cereal bowl. I’d tried all the home remedies — cinnamon, vinegar, chalk lines — you name it. Nothing worked. That’s when I decided it was time to go pro. After weeks of research (and a few embarrassingly failed attempts), I landed on two heavy - hitters: TERRO Ant Killer Bait Stations (12 - count) and Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray (Lavender Scent, 17.5 oz) In this post, we’ll walk through my ant - wrangling journey using a classic approach — awareness, consideration, and decision — to help you pick the perfect product (or combo!) for your own ant crisis. I’ll share honest pros and cons, side - by - side comparisons, friendly tips, and clear so you can stop squashing and start winning. Stage 1: Awareness – Recognizing You Have an Ant Problem First things first: Do you really have an ant infestation? • Tiny trails of sugar - loving ants on counters, window sills, walls • Random single ants scuttling indoors around food sources • Piles of dead ants near window cracks or under appliances If you nodded along to any of these, welcome to the club. Ants invade for one primary reason: food and water. Once they find a source, they leave pheromone trails to recruit other members of the colony. That’s why wiping down countertops with soap and water only works for a day or two — ants retrace their path. Stage 2: Consideration – Exploring TERRO vs. Raid Overview of the Contenders Feature TERRO Ant Killer Bait Stations (12) Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray (17.5 oz) Form Liquid bait inside reusable station Aerosol spray Active Ingredient Borax Cypermethrin + Prallethrin blend Speed to Notice Results 2 – 3 days Immediate knockdown + 4 - week residual Target Scope Ants only Ants + Roaches + Spiders + More Indoor Placement Corners, baseboards, cabinets Sprayed on cracks, crevices, surfaces User Effort Set - and - forget Requires periodic reapplication Price ~$10.93 for 12 stations ~$5.64 per can 1. TERRO Ant Killer Bait Stations • How It Works: Worker ants consume the sweet Borax solution and carry it back to the colony. Within days, the queen and larvae are eliminated. • Why I Love It: I placed six stations under my sink and along my countertop edges. By Day 3, the trails were gone, and I saw far fewer stragglers. It’s completely hands - off and low - toxicity. • Considerations: o Station quantity: The 12 - pack covers a typical kitchen, but larger homes may need the 18 - or 24 - count option. o Slow burn: You won’t see instant results — be patient. Grab your TERRO Bait Stations here: 2. Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray • How It Works: High - pressure aerosol blasts pests on contact and leaves a residual barrier that kills for up to 4 weeks. • Why I Love It: One quick spray along baseboards and cracks, and I watch ants drop instantly. The lavender scent is a refreshing bonus — no chemical funk in my living room! • Considerations: o Reapplication: To maintain the barrier, retreat every month. o Ventilation: Spraying in enclosed spaces needs good airflow. 🔗 Snag your Raid Sapray coupon deal here Stage 3: Comparison Deep Dive Criteria TERRO Bait Stations Raid Spray Long - Term Control Colony elimination; one - and - done (per refill) Monthly barrier needed 🔗 Safety Profile Low toxicity; child/pet safe after placement Keep away from food prep areas; ventilate Ease of Use Place & forget Aim - and - spray; requires more vigilance Coverage Area Station radius ~3 – 5 feet Broad; any crack, crevice, surface Cost per Treatment ~$0.91 per station ~$5.64 per can (multiple treatments/month) Pest Spectrum Ants only Ants, roaches, spiders, and more Odor/Scent Odorless Light lavender scent Insider Tip: For the ultimate knockout punch, use BOTH products in tandem — bait stations to wipe out the colony, and spray for immediate knockdown and residual protection. My Personal Funnel Strategy 1. Top of Funnel (Awareness): I first realized I had a problem when I saw ants in my coffee. I shared my panicked “ant horror story” on Instagram, tagging #antproof and #homehacks. 2. Mid Funnel (Consideration): I sifted through online reviews, watched YouTube demos, and asked friends for recommendations. TERRO’s 4.6 - star rating (133K reviews!) and Raid’s Amazon’s Choice badge (7K reviews) stood out. 3. Bottom of Funnel (Decision): Balancing price, convenience, and effectiveness led me to try both. Within one week, my kitchen was ant - free. Why You Can Trust This Review • Hands - On Testing: I ran side - by - side tests on two countertops — TERRO on one side, Raid on the other. • Real - World Conditions: I didn’t clean first! I let the ants build their trails naturally to simulate a genuine infestation. Implementation Guide: Step - by - Step Setting Up TERRO Bait Stations 1. Identify Hotspots: Look for trails, crumbs, or areas where you see ants congregating. 2. Place Stations: Peel off the label tab and snap the station in place. Put them along walls, under sinks, and near pet food dishes. 3. Monitor & Replace: Check weekly. If the bait disappears, replace with a new station. Spraying with Raid 1. Ventilate: Open a window or turn on a fan. 2. Shake Can & Aim: Hold 8 – 12 inches from the surface. Spray along baseboards, cracks, and entry points. 3. Wait & Wipe: Let the spray dry (5 – 10 minutes), then wipe excess residue if you’re spraying food prep areas. 4. Reapply Monthly: To maintain the residual kill barrier. FAQs Q: How long before I see results? • TERRO: 48 – 72 hours for trail reduction, up to 2 weeks for full colony elimination. • Raid: Instant knockdown; barrier kills for up to 4 weeks. Q: Can I use these around pets? • TERRO: Safe once stations are in place — liquid is sealed. • Raid: Keep pets away during spraying and allow surfaces to dry before re - entry. Q: What if I still see ants after one treatment? • TERRO: Check station placement — move closer to the main trail. • Raid: Ensure you’re spraying deep into cracks and crevices. Q: Which is more budget - friendly? • TERRO: ~$0.91 per station; refills available in bulk. • Raid: ~$5.64 per can; factor in monthly re - sprays. Final Verdict & Clear CTAs Best For Product Recommendation Affiliate Link Colony Eradication TERRO Ant Killer Bait Stations Buy TERRO Bait Stations → Immediate Knockdown + Roaches Raid Ant & Roach Killer Spray (Lavender) Buy Raid Spray → Ultimate Combination Use both products together Combo CTA below Combo Power Move: Place 6 – 8 TERRO bait stations and simultaneously spray Raid barrier around the kitchen perimeter. You’ll starve the colony and keep new invaders at bay. Don’t Let Ants Rule Your Castle Battling ants doesn’t have to be a never - ending saga. By choosing the right weapon — TERRO’s stealthy bait station or Raid’s instant - experience spray — you can reclaim your countertops and serenity. 1. Click here to conquer ants at the source with TERRO : 2. Click here for fast - acting, long - lasting defense with Raid : 3. Want the full knockout punch? Grab both, set your traps, spray your barriers, and watch those ant trails vanish — permanently. Still have questions? Drop them in the comments below or shoot me a message on Facebook @FolobzBlog. Happy ant - hunting! Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a small commission when you purchase through these Amazon links. 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