Ant Habits

• Searching for quality sources of food and water is what fills the worker ant's day. Nearly everything ants find is brought back to the colony. Spraying, squishing, swatting and stomping ants does nothing to keep them from coming back. To get rid of ants, it is necessary to kill the queen. Follow ant trails back to their nest. Ants that aren't trailing can often be enticed to trail back to their nest by providing them with food, like jelly or honey.
  
  

Baiting

• Applying bait is an ideal way to take advantage of the ants' tendency to trail. Baits are made so that the worker ant can get it back to the nest before dying, whereas other methods kill the worker before reaching the nest. Some bait seems to work better than others, according to where you live. Ask about effective baits for your area at a local garden center and remember that bait takes time to work; sometimes as long as two weeks.
  
  

Spraying and Drenching

• Spraying insecticide often has the unwanted side affect of causing certain ant species to bud. This means the colony will divide, forming one or more additional colonies. Also, one of the greatest benefits of growing your own vegetables is producing an organic crop. Liquid applications are best made as a drench, rather than a spray, once the colony is located. Follow pesticide label instructions for specific drenching procedures.
  
  

Diatomaceous Earth

• Spread diatomaceous earth if the nest cannot be found or if your bait doesn't produce the desired results. Diatomaceous earth is a nontoxic way to kill ants. Made from fossilized microscopic shells that are ground into a fine, talc-like powder, it works by penetrating an insect's body and drying them out, yet it is harmless to people and animals. Apply with a pest control duster, using multiple light applications all the way around the perimeter of your garden to form a protective barrier.