Red ants in raised beds

[AgentOfShield]

Hello everyone,

We have just moved into a new house and inherited two small raised beds, which we promised our children we would use to grow their 'very own veggies' (We are now the best parents ever )

However, on closer inspection the beds are infested with red ants. This is probably a silly question but... how would I get rid of the ants (if possible not using anything toxic) so the children can get started without been bitten to pieces?

Thanks

Others may disagree, but if you can find the nest or main concentration of them, and the eggs, pour on boiling water. But keep children safely away.

You will always have some ants but if it's an infestation as bad as you say is left its vexause the beds are providing perfect conditions . Ants like it dry so I would imagine your raised beds are full of exhausted dusty soil? You could either try digging it over every week and letting the birds eat your problems, drenching the beds a couple of times a week with a hose and then mulching with as much manure as you can lay your hands on or you could dig it all out and start again. You shouldn't need to resort to boiling water which is a pretty abhorrent thing to do. If you make the conditions less and friendly the ants will just move out.

Don't use chemicals if you're planning to grow food.

They won't like it damp and disturbed as a pp said, the conditions you'll need to grow veg are not the conditions ants prefer!

if you disturb them (digging,watering) they will mostly leave soon.
no need for chemicals.
ants are important in a healthy garden.