Raid Ant Bait Vs Terro
The main difference between Raid Ant Bait and Terro Ant Bait is the active ingredient. Raid contains Avermectin B1, while Terro contains borax. Raid targets specific ant species, while Terro targets all common household ants.
Raid vs Terro Ant Bait
Here is a comparison chart detailing the differences between Raid Ant Bait and Terro Ant Bait.
Raid | Terro |
 |  |
Active Ingredients Avermectin B1 | Active Ingredients Borax |
Use Indoors Only | Attracts Ants Fast |
Raid Ant Baits Are Child-resistant | Pre-filled, Ready-To-Use Bait Stations |
Kills Ants Where They Hide for up to 3 Months | Kills The Ants You See And The Ones You Dont See |
Replace All Baits Every Three Months If needed | Use All 6 Baits to Ensure Sufficient Supply for the Ants |
For Maximum Effectiveness Place All Baits At The Same Time | Patented Design Prevents Bait From Drying Out |
You Can Use Next To Baseboards, In Corners, Under Sinks, In Cabinets And Near Plumbing | Use Bait Stations Along Baseboard, Under Appliances, On Windowsills And Wherever You See Ants |
Also Kills Roaches, Waterbugs, Palmetto bugs, Ants, Silverfish, Household Spiders, and More | It Kills, Ants, Fire Ants, Cockroaches, Fleas And Other Insects. |
Short Overview
TERRO Liquid Ant Baits are borax-based bait stations pre-filled with a sweet liquid that attracts ants. The stations have a snap-off tab for easy opening without scissors. TERRO is designed to kill all common household ants except fire ants and carpenter ants.
Raid Ant Baits III are avermectin-based bait stations that come ready to use with adhesive strips for mounting. Raid targets specific ants like Argentine, carpenter, crazy, ghost, and odorous ants. The sleek, low-profile design is intended to be subtle when placed.
Active Ingredient
Terro Ant Bait Stations contain borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate), a natural mineral toxic to ants. Borax is slow-acting, allowing worker ants to share the bait back at the colony before dying. This eliminates the entire colony, including the queen.
Raid Ant Baits III contains avermectin B1, an insecticide that works by overexciting the nervous systems of insects, leading to paralysis and death. Avermectin provides faster knockdown of ants compared to borax.
Package Options
Raid Ant Baits III comes in 4-count and 8-count packages. Each station contains 0.12 fl oz of liquid bait. This provides enough bait to treat small to medium infestations.
Terro Ant Bait Stations come in 4, 6, 8, and 12-count options. Each station holds 0.36 fl oz of liquid bait. The larger capacity can support more ants visiting the bait.
Complete Control
TERRO Liquid Ant Baits can take up to two weeks to achieve complete control of ants in a home. The borax bait works slowly as it’s carried back to the colony. This process requires patience but provides thorough elimination.
For complete ant control, Raid recommends replacing baits every three months. While avermectin works faster, its effects don’t spread through the colony, as well as borax baits. Continued use is needed.
Target Ants
TERRO Liquid Ant Baits attract all common household ants through its sweet liquid, including acrobat, Allegheny, argentine, ghost, odorous, pavement, thief, and more. Carpenter and fire ants are not effectively controlled.
Raid Ant Baits III specifically targets argentine, carpenter, crazy, ghost, and odorous ants. Fire ants and pharaoh ants are not controlled. Raid provides focused control for common pest ant species.
How It Works
TERRO Liquid Ant Bait uses borax as a slow-acting toxin. Foraging ants are drawn to the bait and return to the colony before dying. This allows time for them to share the bait and spread it through the entire colony by trophallaxis.
Raid Ant Baits III relies on avermectin to provide rapid paralysis and death of ants that ingest the bait. It does not spread as well throughout the colony, so thorough elimination requires ongoing bait replenishment.
Weatherproof
TERRO Liquid Ant Bait Stations are weatherproof by design. They can be used outdoors or in areas exposed to moisture, such as around sinks, pipes, and appliances. The stations protect the liquid bait from drying out.
Raid Ant Baits III is intended only for indoor use in dry areas. Exposure to moisture will reduce the effectiveness of the bait by causing it to run out of the stations.
Long-Lasting Effect
TERRO Liquid Ant Bait is formulated to keep the liquid bait from drying out. Stations can provide a continuous supply of bait for up to 3 months. For best results, it’s recommended to replace baits seasonally.
Raid Ant Baits III is designed to keep killing ants for up to 3 months. The insecticide remains potent over time. Regular replacement prolongs the ant control.
Placement Areas
TERRO Liquid Ant Bait Stations can be placed anywhere ants traverse. Effective areas include along baseboards, window sills, doorways, counters, cabinets, appliances, and pipes. Place them near ant trails and food sources.
Raid recommends placing Ant Baits III in hidden ant harborages like corners, along walls, and near entry points. Avoid spraying insecticide where baits are placed.
Pet Safe
Both TERRO and Raid ant baits are considered pet-safe when product labels are followed. The bait stations prevent access to the liquid.
Always keep ants baits in areas unreachable by children and pets. Please do not allow them to play with the baits.
Odorless
TERRO and Raid ant baits rely on bait stations to deliver the liquid bait. This contains any odor and prevents stains inside the home. The discreet design allows the bait stations to blend into their surroundings.
Our Observation
Based on the active ingredients, Terro may be the safer option around pets due to the slower-acting borax. However, Raid provides more targeted control of common ant species.
For the overall elimination of ant colonies, Terro is likely the better choice since the borax bait spreads throughout the colony. Both products are odorless and long-lasting when appropriately used indoors.
Ultimately, we recommend Terro as the best ant bait option for most households due to its thorough, pet-safe colony elimination. Either product can provide effective ant control with continuous bait replacement.
James E. Butkovich, Pest control maven with a knack for eco-friendly & Chemical solutions. Blogger with a mission to make homes pest-free, one post at a time.
