Very right!
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Lucky you! They have moved!
Mine took the bail, but still very much alive and kicking.
Indoors, I use a mix of boric acid and diatomaceous earth. Outdoors, I use: https://www.amazon.com/Talstar-Pro-Termiticide-Insecticide-Bottles/dp/B007Z6TCJ2
At my parents’ place, I have to use the chemical indoors, too.
We got re-invaded and this morning I was loaded with ants! I had a few Terro left. I put one down and within 2 hours there were several ants inside. I put another one down and it got almost loaded within 10 minutes. It’s really gross, but it’s working! Of course one started to leak immediately so I tossed it.
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Am I the only one that uses Raid Ant Motels? You get about 6 in a package, I stuff them under the fridge and behind the dishwasher etc…a day or two and the ants are all gone. Until next year, that is!
Ants can be grouped into two, major dietary groups: one prefers sugars and starches and the other is attracted to oil, grease, protein. While there is some crossover, knowing the food preference gives one a clue as to how effective a bait will be.
Borax and Boric Acid baits get taken back to the colony and eventually kill or sterilize the queen(s). A sugar bait can be made from:
2 cups sugar
1 cup warm water, into which is dissolved 2 TBS Boric Acid-you’ll need to stir this around for awhile to get it dissolved, before adding the sugar.
If too much Boric Acid or Borax is added, it will repel ants. No bait, even correctly mixed, always works. It can take many days to finally kill the colony. Keep this bait out of the reach of children and pets. I use shallow jar lids, placed in cabinets.
I suspect 2 TBS powdered Boric acid can be thoroughly mixed into a cup of butter for ants that go for oils.
These recipes can be reduced for smaller volumes.
Several perimeter or spot spray insecticides are listed for ants. Some label indoor use for cracks, crevices. You can search for the “specimen label” on:
Suspend SC
D-Fense SC
Talstar
These Pyrethroid compounds have relatively lower mammalian toxicity, but high toxicity to insects. Active ingredients can include: micro-crystalline Deltamethrin, Bifenthrin, or others. Always read and follow label instructions! I’ve used all of the brands listed above, with good success. The sprays mix with water and are essentially odorless when dry.
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I have never seen an ant inside the Terro pack.
Really? Holy smoke - there were so many in there yesterday and they ate all the bait! it was quite disgusting. I just keep telling myself, at least it’s not roaches!
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Since you seem to have a grip on this topic, what is the impact if any on rodents, especially mice, of the boric acid baits you describe?
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I’m not sure what the effect on rodents would be at that rate. But, Boric acid is not kind to rodents Boric Acid Toxicity to Rodents
For rodent control, I use the old-fashioned traps, Victor, with the curved metal bait bars. Take a stamp-sized piece of paper towel, sandwich some peanut butter in that and press it tightly into the bait bar. Also, put a dab of bait under the bait bar. The paper towel makes it harder to steal the bait by licking it off.
Yeah, ants… I was too lazy to got out to buy anything. I sprayed a large part of my kitchen and living room in diluted vinegar. After a couple of application, the amount of ants significantly decrease. I don’t think vinegar is as effective as some industrial ant repellent. On the other hand, I didn’t have worry about vinegar getting onto my dishes or foods…etc.
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Thanks @bogman - I was more concerned with the possibility of attracting rodents while killing insects. You set my mind at ease. grin
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Ha, that should be Terro’s marketing slogan. That’s exactly what happened to me.
Ants used to invade the kitchen in our last house when the weather was hot and dry. I’d have to break out the Terro baits, sometimes repositioning them, until the ants were gone. Maybe you’ll get royalties if they use that “slogan.” 
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Same reason I use cheap hot sauce and bay leaves. I haven’t poisoned the kitchen so far,
and I feel safe.
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I have heard that chili powder and chili sauce are great too. I wonder if hot sauce is a little more effective because vinegar can evaporate rather quickly. On the other hand, vinegar is cheaper.
I buy the 3/$1.00 Hot Sauce at grocery outlet.
Maybe we can make a hot sauce humidifier and just have it spray hot sauce vapor throughout the whole house. 
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Yes, get the bigger round outdoor ones with the two stakes. Give them a few weeks - they work!!
Also try diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home outside, esp near doors.
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I have to say, I only had two terro baits and though the first couple of days I was fighting barfing every time I looked at them, they worked. Now I am only seeing a few stray dead or mostly dead ants. But I do find that if you don’t cut them just right that goop comes out on the floor and it’s hard to clean - wish they could fix that issue!
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