Chalk has been a long time trick.
The Hot Shot does work, but they adapt after a while, though it does take a couple years for them to adapt. There are a number of organic sprays available, made from citrus products that work well.
My parents have succumbed to a professional chemical product once a year that is not supposed to be terrible for the environment. It's not a poison, but a spray that gets applied around the house, much like the chalk and creates a barrier that the ants won't cross. In our SoCal climate, it gets applied right around the time ants show up and keeps them away until it cools. Once a year application. Though, if they do get by, you're screwed and have to use the citrus poison or other method.s
They've had fairly good luck with the chemical barrier, but it did fail this year.