• There are a number of proven ways to naturally rid your home of black ants.ants fighting image by Anton Chernenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Black ants, also referred to as carpenter ants, are distinguished by their dark-colored bodies, narrow waists and bent antennae. If they have wings, the hind wings are shorter than the front. They are a common pest and not at all shy about making themselves at home in your home. There are a variety of natural remedies for ridding your home and yard of these pests.
  
  

Mint

• A few tea bags of mint tea or dry, crushed mint leaves near the area the ants seem most active it will chase them away.
  
  

Weapons From The Kitchen

• If you are able, trace the ant column back to its origin and set any of the following at that point: citrus oil soaked into a piece of string, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, or coffee grounds. Make sure you create a "line" that the ants will have to cross if they want to make it into your house. They are not likely to.
  
  

Lemon Juice Mixture

• Mix a balance of half lemon juice and half water in a spray bottle. Spray anywhere you've seen black ants and anywhere they might enter your home. You can even spray around the exterior of the house as a barrier to entry.
  
  

Grits

• It may sound hokey, but you can use quick grits to help eliminate the little pests from around your home. Simply sprinkle them anywhere ants have shown up. The ants will eat them, expand and die, according to Environment, Health and Safety Online.
  
  

Boiling Water

• It's an old remedy, but boiling hot water poured straight onto an ant hill will cause them to look for a more hospitable environment.
  
  

Talc

• Ants hate talc powder to such a degree that even a honey jar dusted with it will keep them away. Just sprinkle talc in the areas you want to rid of black ants and watch them scurry. One caveat, you don't want to use talc in areas children or pets are likely to play as it's not healthy for either of them to inhale it.
  
  

Windex And Ivory Soap

• Spray equal parts Windex and Ivory Soap in trouble areas to rid them of ants.
  
  

Bay Leaves

• Bay leaves, tucked behind kitchen canisters and sprinkled along points of entry, are a great ant deterrent.
  
  

Black Pepper

• Black pepper is a cheap and easy way to get rid of ants. Sprinkle the pepper wherever you see them congregate and follow them to their source where you can sprinkle more. Because it's non-toxic and poison-free you can use black pepper in your cabinets, on windowsills and around food.