What's the best way to kill insects around ducks and dogs outside?

I live in AZ and am having a cricket and ant problem in my backyard. I have two ducks that live in my back yard and have free range of the whole yard and two dogs that don't spend a lott of time outside. Ever since we got the kiddie pool for the ducks the bugs (crickets, ants beetles, spiders, and water bug's) are attracted to the water and duck food. We want to get rid of the bugs but don't want to put our pets, more the duck's, in any danger. I've read of Boric Acid being a better choice then pesticides but got different answers on weather or not it was safe for pet's.....We mainly concerned about the crickets and ants since they are the worst! Can anyone help me out with this? If you need more info let me know!