Acrobat
Ant
Characteristics –
Size: Ranges from 1/8-inch to more than 1/4-inch in length. The most
commonly encountered species are found at the smaller end of this size scale.
Color: Ranges from black to dark brown to red and black. The smaller
species are typically uniformly dark in color. A larger species, common in
Texas, is red and black.
Acrobat ants are identifiable by the heart shape of their abdomen when viewed
from above.
Behavior –
When excited or disturbed, the acrobat ant workers run about with their abdomens
held high above their heads. Like most ants, acrobat ants establish well-defined
trails between the nest and food and water sources. They feed on a wide variety
of foods, but the workers are partial to the sweet honeydew produced by aphids,
scales, and mealybugs found feeding on many trees and plants. Fruit trees,
roses, and many shrubs serve as hosts for aphids and may contribute to ant
infestations in homes and other buildings. Most infestations inside are the
result of workers searching for food.
Habitat – Acrobat ants are like carpenter ants in that they
prefer to nest in moist or rotted wood. Colonies are most often found in tree
holes, dead limbs, stumps, and logs. Rotting areas in fences, decks, and
railings may also be nesting locations. Most infestations of acrobat ants
originate from outdoor nests; however, if moist or rotted wood exists inside due
to water leaks, this ant will readily nest indoors. Such interior nests are
typically found around the perimeter -- in soffits, door frames, and skylights.
Tips for Control – Acrobat ants are controlled by finding
and treating wood where the ant colonies are located. Often, the nest may be
located far above the ground in a tree where it is inaccessible to direct
treatment. In such cases, limiting interior invasion of ant trails is critical.
Repairing water leaks and drying out moist wood inside will help prevent
infestations of both acrobat and carpenter ants. Improving attic and crawl space
ventilation is also important in limiting acrobat ant infestations. General tips
for limiting ant infestations include:
