I too talked to the ants that were walking all over my kitchen counters.
I told them that after 24 hours, any ant I saw there would be squished,
and that they should go home and tell all their relatives. 24 hours later,
not
an ant in sight.
I did see a couple after a while, and reluctantly squished them.
Figured they were testing my resolve.
That took care of it.
It does take yearly repetition, to some extent.