Review of Youpin Ant-Exterminating Gel Ant Bait (Insecticide)

As autumn and winter arrive, ants invading homes is a pest problem that shows up almost once every year or two. Compared with cockroaches and termites, I do not have much prejudice against insects like ants; if I see them outdoors I will even squat down and quietly observe their hard-working figures. But once they invade indoors and cause property damage, naturally they can only be exterminated.

This time a colony of ants appeared in the kitchen at my hometown, so I specially bought ant-killing medicine online to use. I had used it once in a dormitory during my student days, and the feeling of wiping out an entire nest directly was actually quite satisfying.

On weekend nights during my university years, we would always find a movie to watch in the dormitory. I remember one time after turning off the lights, watching the movie, drinking beer, and snacking on Northern Sea codfish strips, after a while I suddenly felt my hand itching, as if something had crawled on it. When I turned on the light, what a sight — the whole bag of strips was crawling with ants. That was a scene more terrifying than a horror movie!

I had used granular ant bait before, and also bought boric acid at the pharmacy (not borax, which is used for meatballs) to mix my own insecticide, and both successfully wiped out entire ant nests.

Below is the first use of Youpin Ant-Exterminating Gel. Its ant-attracting effect is indeed outstanding; it did not take long before ants came into direct contact, and then a large number of ants were drawn in to start enjoying it.

Below is a video record of the ants peacefully enjoying the ant bait. You can see them all huddled beside the pink gel (with boric acid as the main ingredient), happily enjoying the feast I carefully prepared for them. Some who could not squeeze into a good spot wandered around like idle ants, refusing to leave.

https://youtu.be/dlQVj9XIN8w

However, this time the gel-type ant bait “Youpin Ant-Exterminating Gel” did not seem to have the insecticidal effect I expected; it could even be said to be somewhat disappointing. Because I found that not only did this group of ants fail to have their nest destroyed, there even seemed to be more and more of them.

The instructions say that the entire ant colony can be wiped out within one to two weeks after baiting. But when I checked my platform order, I found that I purchased it on November 25, 2019 and started baiting within two or three days, yet as of today (January 2, 2020) the situation is that more and more ants are coming out to feed!

There was even another batch of ants appearing along a new route, making me suspect that this jar of medicine is simply a nutritional supplement — not only fattening the ants but even causing them to split into separate colonies.

To avoid dragging things out, I had to temporarily remove the Youpin Ant-Exterminating Gel and buy another brand’s boxed ant bait insecticide. As for its insecticidal effect, I will tell everyone next time.

At present, within two days after baiting, I do not seem to see the amazing effect of the whole group of ants surrounding the medicine as before. I do not know whether the gel they ate earlier has already taken effect, or whether the ant colony is simply not interested in the new ant bait and has gone off to look for other food.

Another point worth mentioning: when I first applied the gel, the initial amount was only about three centimeters long. Perhaps too little bait also affects the insecticidal effect, and may even be the cause of the colony splitting. Anyone interested can look into this.

Product Features of Youpin Ant-Exterminating Gel

• The attractant of this product is in gel form, convenient for ants to feed on, even smaller ants can feed easily.
• A boric acid formulation mixed with an attractant formula into an easy-to-eat gel; worker ants carry it back to the nest after feeding and feed it to larvae, which then gradually die of dehydration in about two to five days.
• Effective against both omnivorous and sweet-eating ants.
• The gel bait can be placed wherever ants appear, or a small piece of cardboard can be cut and placed on top for comprehensive ant elimination.
• Country of origin: Taiwan.
• Powerful ant attractant. Chain extermination. Mass feeding.
• EPA Hygiene Permit No. 1662
• EPA Pesticide Sales Permit No. 63-046

Further reading:

1. Product reference: Youpin Ant-Exterminating Gel.
2. Ants, spiders, and cockroaches — thank God.