I too have kids and pets also and don't like using any pesticides. I use Skin-So-Soft from Avon. It's totally safe and kills ants on contact and keeps them away. You can buy it cheap down at Kolbys swap meet. I also apply it as skitter repellent, works great and keeps my skin baby soft, lol. Just take a spray bottle and mix 1 part Skin So Soft to about 4 parts water and watch those pesky critters die.
Death_To_