Types of Ants :: Acrobat Ants :: Printer-Friendly Version
Ant Origin & Distribution
Acrobat ants are native to the United States. There are a number of different species found throughout the country, however, the acrobat ant may not reach the status of a "pest" in many areas. The acrobat ant is considered to be a prominent pest in homes and structures in Texas, Louisiana, west Tennessee and eastern central Arkansas.
Ant Identification
Acrobat ants get their name from the habit of the worker ants, who hold their abdomens above their thorax, like acrobats, when disturbed. The workers range in size from 1/10" to 1/8" within different species and vary in color from light brown to dark brownish black. They have a distinct heart-shaped abdomen when viewed from above.
Ant Biology
Colonies of acrobat ants are typically small, although some may contain thousands of workers. Workers can be aggressive if disturbed and some species have been reported to sting or bite, especially those from large colonies. The ants from smaller colonies may be more timid. Certain species may also produce a foul odor when disturbed. New colonies are formed by flights of winged reproductives (swarmers), and these mating flights typically occur from mid-May to late September.
Ant Habits
The presence of acrobat ant colonies inside homes is normally associated with decayed, moisture-saturated wood from water exposure, leaks or condensation. They do not colonize sound wood but prefer decaying, water-damaged wood or wood already damaged by other insects such as carpenter ants or termites. They are often found in porches, eaves, door and window frames and may nest in wall voids, damp insulation and foam board. Outdoors they may nest in decaying tree stumps, dead and decaying logs, cavities in trees, and in soil under rocks. Foraging acrobat ants may be seen moving at a moderate pace in tight trails.
Acrobat ants feed on a wide variety of foods including both sweets and proteins. Workers feed on living and dead insects and on honeydew they obtain from sap-sucking insects like aphids. Inside structures, these ants will feed on household foods, especially sweets. Acrobat ants may access structures by trailing along wires, cables, vegetation, such as tree limbs, or along the ground. Cracks around windows and doors and other areas can provide entry into interior portions of structures.
Ant Control
If you think you might have an acrobat ant infestation in your home, it's imperative that you contact a certified and licensed pest control professional
to inspect the situation and confirm identification. Be sure to inform your pest control professional of any structural leaks or moisture problems before inspection. Experts will advise against do-it-yourself options, as it is much more efficient and cost-effective to have a trained set of eyes identify the correct ant species and recommend effective treatment options specific to an individual infestation. Improper do-it-yourself options may result in killing a few ants, while the rest of the colony simply relocates to other areas around and inside the structure.