I read an article that said to put down or sprinkle uncooked grits on the
soil where they were crossing. They take the food back to their homes and
eat it. Once ingested, it puffs up and makes the ants explode.

Actually there are commercial ant poisons that are granulated and meant to be
taken down below by the ants as "food"; the queen takes a bite or two, and
bingo...no more colony. Usually takes a day or two to work in my experience.