Update!
Well, I am on day 3. I bought some liquid bait containers from Home Depot. Tried 4 of them. They contain sugar and water and some chemical. They are enclosed, spill proof, and havea stopper like a sponge on top. I put all 4 under the birds cages, then went outside and sprinkled ant powder all around the perimeter of the house as much as I could, and sprayed ant spray on the outside of the windowsills. We keep the windows closed and use the AC mostly. I dared after one day to give them their regular food, left me toast and fruit for snacks when I went to work, came home many hours later.....and NO ANTS! So it seems to have worked!
Thank you all for the greyt suggestions. I did try the peppers, but it only worked for the night. riki would not go in her cage because of the pepper smell......go figure!