Can Lysol kill ants?
In short, the answer is yes.
But is Lysol an efficient ant killer?
The answer is no!
In short, Lysol can kill ants, but its primary purpose is to kill smaller substances such as viruses, germs, and bacteria. Hence, it is not an efficient ant killer.
Then should you use Lysol to kill ants? How effective is it?
Slow down, my friend. Continue reading till the end to find all the answers related to using Lysol to kill ants.
Contents
What is Lysol and How Does it Work?
The Lysol Disinfectant Spray is one of the most popular disinfectant sprays in the world. It can efficiently kill germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Most of the ingredients used in the spray are toxic. They are capable of killing germs and even small insects in some cases.
However, numerous Lysol products are available in the market, such as disinfectants, bathroom cleaners, sanitizers, etc. Depending on the product, the ingredients will vary.
Here is a table that shows the detailed ingredients that the popular Lysol products use:
| Lysol products | Ingredients |
| Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Trigger | Alkyl (67% C12, 25% C14, 7% C16, 1% C8-C10-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. |
| Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray | Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate and ethanol. |
| Lysol Kitchen Pro Antibacterial Cleaner Trigger | Alkyl (67% C12, 25% C14, 7% C16, 1% C8-C10-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. |
| Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Bacteria-Causing Laundry Odor Eliminator | Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Octyl Decyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, and Dioctyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride. |
| Lysol Bathroom Cleaner Spray | Citric acid, Octyl Decyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, and Dioctyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride |
How it works: Spray the Lysol disinfectant spray for 3-4 seconds from 5 to 6 inches away from the surface. It will kill all the germs and viruses within 3 to 4 minutes.
Can Lysol Disinfectant Kill Ants? [Effectiveness Of Lysol As An Ant Killer]
If you spray the Lysol disinfectant spray towards an ant for 4 to 5 seconds, it can kill ants. The active ingredients in Lysol, such as ethanol, kill ants.
When you spray Lysol on an ant, it will make the ant suffocate. Then after a couple of hours, the ant will die of dehydration.
Yes, it takes too long to kill ants with Lysol. Some ants may die in 10 to 15 minutes, but most will take more than an hour.
I know many are saying that it is a strong ant killer. But trust me, I am telling you from experience.
Lysol is an effective ant killer when you are spraying on little or less strong ants. But when you go to kill the larger ants, it may not work well.
If you ask me whether you should use Lysol to get rid of ants, I will say do it only if there is a little ant infestation in your house.
Even if the Lysol does not kill the ants, it surely will repel them.
But in the case of a larger ant infestation, you should find better ways to get rid of these insects.
How to Use Lysol to Kill Ants?
You can use Lysol in various ways to kill ants, but the best way is to spray on them directly.
Hold the Lysol bottle upright and point the nozzle toward the ants. Then keep spraying for 4 to 5 seconds. The ant may run away, but do not worry. It will die if you have sprayed enough Lysol.
Remember to dispose of the dead ants ASAP, or more ants will come to take the bodies. Always try finding the nest and spray on it to completely get rid of the ants.
Did You Know? People also use Lysol to kill roaches!
Can Lysol Kill Ant Eggs?
Yes, spraying the Lysol disinfectant on ant eggs will kill them.
After killing the ants with the Lysol, you may worry that the eggs will hatch and there will be a new ant infestation.
But there is nothing to worry about. Ant eggs are weaker than any adult ant. Spray the Lysol from three to four inches away from the eggs for 4 to 5 seconds and it will kill the eggs within a few minutes. Then you can dispose of the eggs.
Tips for Using Lysol Safely Around Pets and Kids
If you have pets or kids at home, you should be more cautious when using Lysol.
The active toxic ingredients can cause serious liver damage to your dogs or cats. That’s why it is not safe to use Lysol around pets.
If you are spraying Lysol, keep babies and pets away from that place. The spray can be in the air for more than an hour, and if the pets breathe in that air, it may not instantly show any effect, but it is unhealthy in the long term.
That’s why bring back your pets to the place where you have used the spray after a few hours.
Common Misconceptions About Using Lysol as an Ant Killer
There is a common misconception about using Lysol as an ant killer is that it is highly efficient and kills large ants within minutes. It is absolutely wrong.
You can not see germs in your eyes. Lysol takes 3 to 4 minutes to kill such microscopic substances.
Then imagine how long the spray will take to kill ants crawling in front of you!
There are a bunch of websites trying to feed you crap. They are claiming Lysol is highly effective as an ant killer only to sell you the product.
But this is completely wrong.
You can get rid of ants using Lysol to a certain limit. But if you have a large ant infestation at home, try using a genuine ant killer such as the TERRO Ant Dust Powder Killer. It is cheap but effective.
FAQs:
- Can Lysol kill different types of ants, such as carpenter ants?
Lysol can kill different types of ants but is not efficient against carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are one of the large types of ants and it will take more than Lysol to kill them.
- Are there any natural or eco-friendly alternatives to using Lysol for ant control?
Diatomaceous Earth is an eco-friendly alternative for ant control. It kills ants as well as various other crawling insects such as spiders, roaches, etc. Sprinkle it in the cracks and other places where you have seen the ants, and it will do the job.
- Can Lysol cause harm to the environment?
Yes, Lysol includes some toxic environments, and using it in huge quantities is not good for the environment. But the good thing is it kills harmful germs without harming the environment much when used in limited amounts.