I've found that Ortho Home Defense and Hot Shot Home Insect Control don't
seem to kill ants (the ants are still alive and kicking after several
minutes of contact)....am I correct in thinking these products are totally
useless?

Since the aforementioned clear non-repellent products don't seem to work, my
prevention strategy is to spray outside of building (where wood meets
concrete) once a month with ordinary home and garden aerosol (which DOES
kill ants). I do this mainly to prevent foragers from wanting to venture
into my townhouse, since the ants dislike the smell of the insecticide. I
try to direct spray so it gets a little bit underneath the siding. So far
this strategy seems to be working.

Was wondering if there is anything that would repel ants besides home and
garden insecticide? (looking for something besides insecticide which would
have a smell that would repel ants, but which would not cause any damage to
the wood or siding, and which would be totally harmless to humans). Does
something like that exist?

Thanks,

J.