Pest Library
Acrobat Ant
Acrobat ants get their name from the way they lift a heart-shaped abdomen over the thorax when disturbed. They commonly move into wood or foam insulation that moisture or other insects have already damaged, so finding them indoors is often a clue about a hidden leak.
Profile
- Scientific name
- Crematogaster spp.
- Identification
- Small, light brown to nearly black, with a distinctly heart-shaped abdomen held upward when alarmed.
- Typical size
- About 1/8 inch (2.5-4 mm).
- Behavior
- Trails along wires, siding seams and tree limbs; nests in voids and damaged wood.
- Habitat
- Water-damaged framing, foam sheathing, tree limbs, stumps and wall voids.
- Diet
- Honeydew, sweets and insects.
- Lifecycle
- Perennial colonies with seasonal winged flights in warm months.
- Why it matters
- Nesting expands existing damage in already compromised wood or insulation. They can bite and release an unpleasant odor, but are not a health hazard.
- DIY considerations
- Treating the trail leaves the nest intact inside the damaged material.
- Professional considerations
- Service locates the nesting void, treats it directly and documents moisture repairs needed to prevent reinfestation.
Signs of activity
- Small ants trailing along wires, siding joints or window frames
- Ants lifting their abdomens when the trail is disturbed
- Sawdust-like debris or foam shavings near a leak
- Activity concentrated on one wall or roof line
Prevention
- Repair roof and window leaks and replace damaged wood
- Trim branches away from siding and roof lines
- Seal siding and sheathing gaps after repairs
- Keep firewood and lumber off the ground
Sources
Related information
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