Ants are a sign your plants have some other issues. Normally they do not cause any problems (at least not for me) but they are often a sign that you have sucking insects that are creating honeydew. A simple solution of either Safers Soap or Dr. Bronners soap (not dish detergent) will kill the sucking insects. Spray very early in the AM before it gets too hot.

Squash Vine Borers are a whole other ball game. There is simply no preventative. You can try various ideas. I sprinkle Diatomacious earth around the plant, and on the mulch, wrap the stem in tin foil and cross my fingers. I've heard a better solution which I'd like to try and employ is to put plants in the ground VERY early and rotate the position of the plant (dramatically) annually. They are pretty plants, I am planning on putting a few in my flower garden areas too.
If you enjoy eating winter squashes, any winter squash labeled a Moschata variety will be squash vine borer resistant.
You may need surgery for your zuccini and yellow squash, below is link, with directions and photos.

Here is a link that might be useful: squash vine borer surgery

Just read an article by Walter Reeves on preventing Squash Vine Borer. I haven't tried this, but thought it was interesting and may be useful to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Walter Reeves Idea