#overwintering ants

Replaced hive top screen boards a few weeks back thinking airflow would help with fall mite management. Now seeing ants climbing up the hive legs and around cracks where screens meet the frames. Tried dabbing grease pencil lines to seal entry points... but not sure that fixes ants or invites roaches??

Any practical experiences using carbaryl dusted feeders this time of year? Concerned about mite rebound from residual chemicals... but don't recall seeing other effective options off-the-shelf. Local beekeeper groups say bait gels work fast?? Just need a way to break this before cold sets in.