Are acrobat ants a major problem your homes or commercial property? They may not be destructive like carpenter ants are, but anyone who encounters hundreds of these tiny invaders in the kitchen, dining room or cafeteria is likely to think that acrobat ants are a major concern.
Why do acrobat ants come inside? Can they cause structural damage? Will they simply go away when the summer ends? These and other questions are at the top of most people's minds when they see ants where they should not be. Perhaps even better questions are: "How can acrobat ants be excluded from the building?" and "Is it possible to stop acrobat ants from coming back?"
Fortunately, a licensed pest management professional is able to answer all of these questions. Even better, these technicians are prepared to evict acrobat ants and other pests while guarding against future infestations.
Doing so is more complicated than most people realize. As tempting as bug sprays are, it is crucial to recognize that these treatments cannot end an infestation of acrobat ants. Contacting a local pest control provider is the only way to truly protect the property from acrobat ants and other infesting species.
WHAT DO
ACROBAT
ANTS LOOK LIKE?
With their three pairs of legs, acrobat ants are readily identifiable as insects. Workers measure only one-eighth of an inch with the colony's reclusive queen being about three-eighths of an inch. Upon close inspection, it may be possible to see that some acrobat ants are light brown while others are dark brown or black. It also is not unusual to see individuals exhibiting more than one color.
Acrobat ants may be identified by their heart-shaped abdomens and their unusual habit of lifting these abdomens up over their heads when they feel threatened. Another distinguishing characteristic is the insects' complex antennae, which feature 11 segments that terminate in a three-segmented club.
WHERE DO ACROBAT ANTS LIVE?
One of the reasons that acrobat ants are so successful as a species is that they are not particularly selective about where they nest. Accordingly, these ants may be found nesting in the depression beneath a large rock, in leaf litter or beneath a fallen tree. Diseased trees provide particularly attractive habitat, and a firewood pile is a likely substitute. The species actually likes to nest in any wood that is damaged or decaying as this material is easier to tunnel through. Former termite or carpenter ant nesting sites frequently are repurposed as acrobat ant nests.
Man-made structures offer excellent habitat for acrobat ants. A minuscule crack or the gap in a door frame are just two examples of how acrobat ants may get inside. If the branches of a shrub or tree contact the exterior of the building, these can provide an easy way for ants to get onto a building so that they can begin searching for a way to get indoors.
Once inside, the ants may look for a wall void that is inaccessible by people and other predators. This wall void makes for a perfect nest. The ants also are drawn to any damaged wood in the structure. Typically, moisture and fungi are present, making the conditions even more conducive to acrobat ant success. Many colonies will even use Styrofoam insulation panels, which may be found behind siding, as nesting material.
WHAT DO ACROBAT ANTS EAT?
Most of the ant species in the local area survive on a diet of sugar and protein. The acrobat ant is no exception. When gaining nutrition from natural sources, acrobat ants obtain honeydew from mealybugs, aphids and other root-feeding insects. Eating living or dead insects is a natural protein source. In fact, acrobat ants consume huge amounts of termite swarmers, which actually helps to protect buildings.
In man-made structures, many foods provide the protein and sugar that acrobat ants crave. Maple syrup, honey, peanut butter, barbecue sauce, condiments, meat and pet food all are vulnerable to being eaten by these pests.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ACROBAT ANTS
Carpenter ants
and
termites
actually bore into wood, but this is not a behavior that is exhibited by acrobat ants. Instead, they make use of existing damage. They do clean out the tunnels and galleries that they inhabit, which may mean that people see sawdust, dirt and other debris indoors.
While acrobat ants do not necessarily cause extra destruction to already damaged wood, they do strip insulation from electrical and telephone wires, a habit that frequently is responsible for short circuits in these systems.
ARE ACROBAT ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Acrobat ants can bite, but they are tiny insects that cause little harm. In addition, they prefer to remain out of sight, seeking to avoid confrontations with predators, with humans being considered one of these. A person accidentally disturbing an acrobat ant nest could be bitten several times, but they are unlikely to suffer adverse effects.
DO ACROBAT ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
A person could be bitten by several acrobat ants without suffering any negative consequences. Still, it is possible for this species to introduce illness into households and businesses.
This is mainly through the food-borne illness known as salmonella. Acrobat ants frequently carry these bacteria as they forage for food in garbage cans and other unsanitary spots. These bacteria then are distributed onto food that is intended for human consumption or onto the surfaces and equipment that are used to prepare food. Symptoms of salmonella inlcude nausea, diarrhea and fever.
Other illnesses associated with acrobat ant infestations include clostridium, strep, E. coli, staph and Shigella.
HOW TO DETECT ACROBAT ANTS
Signs of an acrobat ants include:
Fungi or mold that attracts acrobat ants
Small accumulations of sawdust or other debris on floors
Tiny pieces of insulation foam around foundations
Large numbers of ants gathered around foundations or exterior portions of buildings
Ants walking across utility lines or wires
Presence of Ant Trails
You may notice trails of ants moving between their nesting site and food sources. Acrobat ants often use utility lines, tree branches, or other structural elements to access buildings.
Debris Piles Near Nesting Sites
Piles of discarded wood shavings, insulation, or other nesting materials may accumulate near their nests. While they don't eat wood like termites, they excavate it to create nesting galleries.
Damaged Wood
Acrobat ants often nest in moist or rotting wood, such as that found in decaying tree stumps, fallen branches, or damp areas of buildings. They may expand existing damage caused by termites or carpenter ants.
Presence of Frass
Sawdust-like material (called frass) near wood structures can indicate their activity, as they push out debris while excavating.
Foraging Behavior
Acrobat ants are attracted to sweets and proteins. You might find them foraging in kitchens, pantries, or trash areas, especially if food is left exposed.
Unpleasant Odor
When disturbed or crushed, acrobat ants emit a noticeable, unpleasant odor, which can indicate their presence.
Nests in Unusual Locations
Acrobat ants often nest in:
Hollow spaces in walls or insulation.
Foam paneling or electrical boxes.
Moist areas like near leaks, gutters, or rotting wood.
Tree cavities or under mulch and rocks.
HOW TO PREVENT
ACROBAT
ANTS
Tips to help prevent an acrobat ant issue:
Keep firewood and yard debris piles a minimum of 20 feet from structures
Repair peeling paint and moisture damage
Correct mold and fungal issues
Do not allow foliage to contact building exteriors
Eliminate entry points using weather stripping and caulk
Fix standing water problems
HOW WE TREAT FOR
ACROBAT
ANTS
Ants are the number one pest control issue and can prove virtually impossible for home and business owners to solve on their own. Ending an ant infestation typically requires proper ant identification, locating and destroying the nest or colony, as well as the use and application of specialized products.
As such, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt to eradicate an ant infestation without assistance from a professional pest control provider.
