Does dish soap kill ants?

I’ve heard people use a dish soap and water mixture to kill ants. Does soapy water kill ants?

Yes, it works on contact. A dish soap and water solution breaks down the waxy coating on an ant's exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate. It also blocks the tiny openings ants use to breathe, called spiracles. Spray it directly on ants, and they'll die pretty quickly.

The downside is that it only kills the ants you can see. Colonies can contain thousands of workers, and the queen stays hidden deep in the nest. 

So spraying a trail with soapy water won't put a dent in the problem, and it won't stop more from appearing, because the colony is still intact. Ants are colony insects, and disrupting a trail can cause survivors to scatter and form new routes.

The most reliable way to tackle an ant problem is through professional intervention. If you need help with ants, arrange a free inspection with our ant control team.