You might be able to use Tanglefoot [insect barrier].
Lets say you have a base of 4 bricks, on top of the bricks pieces
plywood several inches larger then brick, hive on top. Smear the plywood overhang underneath with tanglefoot. You might need a vertical wall in front so bees can't get under. Think some people us some kind of oil barrier.

Thanks Konrad,

Having done some research, everyone agrees that ants aren't good, the methodologies to combat them differ widely. Tanglefoot or Vaseline applied as you mention were suggested. Also, just scattering instant grits seemed popular. It seems that the instant (not regular) grits get carried back to the nest and when ingested swell or anyway kill the ants. Eventually th queen ingests some and the colony if not finished is seriously compromised.

I did find one anthill, about a foot and a half across about 15 feet from the hives. Talking to some local folks, opinions differed as to chemical control (pellets) that far away. Pellets "close" to the hive is a concern as the ants may carry up into the hive where the bees have access to them. So, is fifteen feet "close" or not? :-)

Ev

Got lots of ants here but I've never seen it a real problem, a good
healthy hive can defend it pretty good.