Not sure about specific advice for dealing with the ants in the garden. I'd advise that your young helpers and you wear gloves when picking produce or working there. As long as they are outside and not biting...
I have not had success using chalk to keep carpenter ants out of our house and dried bay leaves don't deter them. Black pepper did not really phase them and I have yet to sprinkle cinnamon to deter them.
The thing is-if the ants are killed, you don't have as many insects to help your garden break down substances in the soil.
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