CoolBees, you really have only three options to deal with ants:
1. Physical barrier preventing any possible way for them to access the hive. Think ant-vile moat.
2. Encourage the ants to relocate. Dig up and destroy nests. Make nests uninhabitable, pour objectionable liquid or dusting into and around the area of the nests.
3. Dispatch the source of the nests. Kill the ants. Bait and poison.
I read somewhere that the biomass of ants in the world out weighs the entire population of the human race. ... It is no wonder we can feel outnumbered and overwhelmed sometimes ;). Another fun fact, ants and bees are distant cousins.
Not all ants are aggressive pests to the hive. Most are merely scavengers cleaning up the ground beneath and around the hive and can be left alone. However, when you see ants INSIDE the hive or on live bees or hauling eggs/larvae then action has to be taken. Potentially helpful ants turned into problem ants.
Things that do not work, not well, or not long
- Diatomaceous earth
- Cinnamon
- Other such useless things
Things that do work, staying power, long or permanent help for the hive.
- Trim back vegetation and keep area around the hive tidy of overgrowth.
- A hive stand that emulates the moat concept. Not a single strand of grass can touch anywhere!
- Frequent nest destruction
- Hot soap water down the nest
- Used motor oil around and down the nest, and around the hive at a distance
- Bait/poison: Borax mixed with corn syrup 2:1 and put in bait cups along ant trails. Wipes out all nests in the area in about 2 weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjw2A3QU8QgHope that helps!