I am in NYC so the weather is a bit different. I had a major problem with little white worms that would go in the fruit and eat it from the inside out. However, I went to the local garden center and bought a powder that goes on the leaves of the vegetable plants that keeps all the bugs away. I have my husband do the dusting, because I am not sure how it would effect my lungs. Then I wash the vegetables really well when we bring them in and again when we use them.

Wells couple of things that you can use: Buy a 5lb baking soda bag from Costco (cheapest) and smear the baking power around the ant hill (prior just take a thin stick and create pathways into the ant hill ) then spray some water mixed with spoon each of Neem oil & dishwashing soap.. I have had good results. In some cases I planted mint around the most vulnerable spot is the area where Vege. plants are located...(ants do not like mint )

Also every week to prevent bugs such as aphid on the leaf just add spoon each of Neem Oil and Hydrogen peroxide to prevent leaves and fruiting vegetables from getting infected...our plant trees remain green the entire season free of infection.

That all is what we do, Oh the last thing some plants need magnesium so just buy some gypsum from say Walmart and sprinkle around...
Keeping animals ... no experience
Good Luck