If the ants are not visiting the bait station, then change to another brand. But it is important to have sufficient number of bait stations, have them located properly and have patience. It is important to remember that most conifers do not tolerate pruning well. And some do not tolerate pruning at all. I have seen Leyland cypress pruned as a hedge, but this type of shearing maintenance will shorten the life of the plant.
Most conifers just don t branch out readily after pruning as other plants do.
Conifers do not produce shoots from older wood. When pruned, conifers should not be cut back past the current year twig growth unless the entire branch is removed back to a side branch or to the trunk. You can definitely transplant azaleas now. You can plant containerized plants any time of the year especially hardy ones like azaleas. It is January and my oleanders are being literally feasted upon by caterpillars.