Ants are social insects that tend to lack social ettiquete.
image by Jay: commons.wikimedia.org
Few people will ever say they invited ants to their picnic or into their homes or for a tour of their garden. Most of the time these social insects invite themselves, much to the disdain of the homeowner. Though many will boast that ants play an important part in our ecosystem, their role in the bigger picture is often difficult to see or comprehend when they're marching through your kitchen uninvited. Many pesticides are harmful to kids and pets, even if they do get rid of ants. Consider safer ways to eliminate these pests.
Several Simple Suggestions
Cut a lemon in half, and squeeze lemon juice all over suspected or known points of entry for ants. Set the lemon peels in those areas as well to help further deter ants.
Cut up two stalks of rhubarb, and boil them for half an hour. Set the liquid aside, and allow it to sit for one week. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle, and it will work for getting rid of ants on plants and other areas of your garden.
Pour boiling water onto ant hills. You may need to do this several times over several days, but eventually ants will get the hint and move somewhere else.
Use a shovel to scoop up ants from one ant hill, and drop them onto another. They'll kill each other so you don't have to.
Sprinkle dry grits or cornmeal in areas where you may have noticed ants. When they take the bait home and try to eat it, it will kill them off as ants can't digest these things.