Are acrobat ants a growing problem in homes and businesses across Yardley? While they may not be as destructive as carpenter ants, discovering a swarm of these tiny insects in your kitchen, dining area, or office space can be alarming.
Why do acrobat ants invade buildings? Can they cause structural damage? Will they disappear on their own? The best questions to ask are: "How can acrobat ants be kept out of the building?" and "What steps can be taken to ensure they don’t return?"
Fortunately, a licensed pest control professional in Yardley can answer these questions. More importantly, they can effectively remove acrobat ants while implementing measures to prevent future infestations.
Acrobat ants are easily identified by their heart-shaped abdomens and their tendency to lift their abdomens above their heads when threatened. Measuring approximately one-eighth of an inch, worker ants can range in color from light brown to dark brown or black.
One of their distinctive features is their complex antennae, which consist of 11 segments ending in a three-segmented club.
Acrobat ants are highly adaptable when it comes to nesting locations. Outdoors, they are commonly found under rocks, in leaf litter, or inside rotting tree stumps. They often take over abandoned nests from carpenter ants or termites.
In Yardley homes and businesses, acrobat ants enter through small cracks in foundations, gaps around windows and doors, or by climbing trees and shrubs that touch buildings. Once inside, they nest in wall voids, damaged wood, and even Styrofoam insulation.
Acrobat ants have a diet consisting of proteins and sugars. In nature, they consume honeydew produced by aphids and other insects. They also prey on live or dead insects, including termites, which can help reduce other pest populations.
Inside buildings, they seek out sugary and protein-rich foods such as syrup, honey, peanut butter, condiments, meats, and pet food.
Unlike carpenter ants and termites, acrobat ants do not bore into wood. However, they use pre-existing tunnels and may clear them out, leaving behind sawdust and debris.
One major issue is their tendency to strip insulation from electrical wires, which can lead to short circuits and electrical problems.
Acrobat ants can bite, but they generally avoid confrontation. If a nest is disturbed, they may bite in self-defense, though their bites are not harmful to humans.
While acrobat ants are not known to transmit diseases directly, they can contaminate food and surfaces. They are known carriers of bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, and staph, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.
Signs of an acrobat ant infestation include:
To keep acrobat ants out of your Yardley home or business, follow these steps:
Eliminating an acrobat ant infestation requires professional pest control. Proper identification, locating and eliminating nests, and applying targeted treatments are key to long-term success.
DIY treatments often fail to address the root cause of the infestation. Contact a professional pest control service in Yardley to ensure effective and lasting results.
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