u/ToothlessHomeless949

I'm going to try to make this short because I need the advice.

• I live atop an anthill. Anywhere we dig = lots of ants. I have a milkweed/butterfly friendly garden in the hill in my backyard. The ants are all over the soil - not the plants.
• They didn't bother me until recently when I noticed the caterpillars succumbing to the ants via traveling between plants.
• I've seen previous posts were DE was used to create a barrier which is great except in my scenario where the ants are coming UP out of the soil.
• I am hesitant to spray or place anything in the garden bed because I don't want to harm the traveling cats
• *****Anyone use anything natural that will deter ants but not harm cats?

TLDR: Looking for natural remedy to deter ants living under garden to help save traveling caterpillars