What is the ruling on killing ants if they harm a person?

The questioner : The honorable Shaykh, a hadith was reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he meaning: four animals, among which he mentioned .

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : And ants sometimes cause harm in houses, meaning they enter the rooms and form groups. Is it permissible for us to kill them with poison or otherwise? May Allah reward you with good?

The Shaykh : Yes, and Allah the Exalted has forbidden the killing of the Muslim soul. If a Muslim is harmed by highway robbery or the like of what permits his killing, then his killing is permitted. For this reason, if a person attacks you intending to take your wealth, do not give him your wealth. If he fights you, fight him, and it is permissible for you to kill him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said . So the one who causes harm may be killed. If this ant’s harm cannot be repelled except by killing it, then kill it, and there is no blame on you. But there is a means before killing it, which is to pour some of the glue on its nests. We have tried this and seen that if something of the glue is poured on its nest, it migrates and does not remain. If that is possible, it is better. If it is not possible, there is nothing wrong with killing it. Yes.