How much DE should I be putting out? A heavy, wide band of DE? A tiny amount? Should I mix it into the dirt or leave it on top?

We've been told ants are the cause of our liner holes that were just repaired. It's cold up north here now and I don't know how active they are now.

I set up a couple stations of borax/sugar baits but again, I don't know how busy they are right now.

I'm willing to try anything up to and including the nuclear option, any advice is welcome.