There is some confusion about using sprays as part of an ant control programme. It is interesting to note that in almost all testing of spray insecticides against ants, measurement of success is through reduction of ant numbers and eradication of nests; repellency is regarded as a negative attribute.

Ant sprays should kill ants that contact treated surfaces, but
killing foraging workers benefits colony eradication little, baits are more effective. There is greater
advantage and satisfaction for a user in sprays being repellent
and forming a barrier to ants; keeping ants out of buildings. Ants usually
only become a pest when they enter buildings or areas where they are a
nuisance.
However, if sprays are to be used to eradicate ants and kill
off nests then they need to be non-repellent so that ants walk across treated
surfaces. If repellent type sprays are used in or around nests it may serve to disturb the ants and cause budding of the nests and spread of the ant problem. Budding is where the queens and workers in a nest head off in different directions to set up new nests. This a particular risk when dealing with Argentine ants and darwin Ants.
Therefore, there is need for two forms of spray:
one repellent, and one non-repellent.
The same holds true for granular, slow release insecticides.
There is a dichotomy between eradication and control, killing and repellency.
For most home owners trying to stop ants being a pest, the repellent form of insecticide is more effective. Products such as NO Bugs Super (deltamethrin) or NO Ants (permethrin) from Kiwicare are good barrier sprays and can be used around building to stop ants moving in in search of food.
Kiwicare’s NO Ants Ant Sand (bifentrin) on the other hand is non repellent and can be used in and around nests to kill the nest without disturbing the ant nests or causing budding and spread of the colony.
If one continually cuts corners one ends up with a smoother running wheel.