Anti Ant

I've had an itty-bitty ant problem this year. A big, itty-bitty ant problem. I've uncovered several nests and they all full of what are smaller than what we used to call sugar ants in Minnesota. I'm fairly certain they are responsible for farming the itty-bitty bugs that destroyed my ornamental tree. After trimming off all the brown parts I was left with a very sad looking stump. Which means war.
A local garden expert said that the aphids that suck off some types of trees with needles can be seen in February, but then they disappear and no one knows where they go. I know. They go into my garden where itty-bitty ants hide and protect them. So I'm killing ants.
Ants are my theme this year. Sometimes I try to beat the squirrels, dogs, raccoons, or crows. One year I even took on moles before realizing how futile that is. After I win a few battles, I retreat, satisfied and much more willing to co-exist. I don't think that is how the Ant War will end.
I put up with them most of the time even though I knew they fed the huge spiders that sometimes come into our house for a bath. (At least that's what I think they're doing in the bathtub.) Some of the spiders look like they are big enough to eat a mouse, but I think what they really eat is ants. I would welcome their help if they wintered outside instead of surprising me in the middle of the night when I get up for a drink of water. Sure brown, bigger-than-a-mouse thing crawling up the wall, freeze in place like not moving makes you invisible.
That gives me double reason to get rid of ants.
Nancy Sherer