I use a large black plastic  sheet under my hives.  I get it at the co-op  for very little  it is 8 mil thick and black  I cut  20 foot long and 10 wide  solid sheet.  set the hives  on top of it  I like space so I put about 5-6 hives  on  one then move a few  20 - 30  feet for the next  pod.  
it  works for the beetle ants  hate  it  (a few  will brave it  but not for long)  small animals  (mice) hate it   and  grass never needs  trimming.  
it works for me.  here in Tn. 
wish everyone the best  
arnold jones