Acrobat Ants
Crematogaster sp.
Pest Stats
Color
Light brown to black, sometimes multicolored.
Size
Approximately 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) in length.
Shape
Distinctive heart-shaped abdomen, which they raise over their thorax and head when disturbed.
Region
Found throughout the United States, including Florida and the southeastern regions.
What is an Acrobat Ant?
Acrobat ants (Crematogaster ashmeadi) are small insects, typically measuring 2.6 to 3.2 millimeters in length, with shiny bodies that vary in color from light red to dark brown or black. Their most distinguishing characteristic is its heart-shaped gaster that is held up over its thorax when disturbed. These ants are native to Florida. Acrobat ants are arboreal ants, nesting in trees and rotten wood. They are the most dominant arboreal ant species in north Florida coastal plain pine forests, comprising 80-90% of the ants in that forest ecosystem. Acrobat ants can become a nuisance when they enter homes, especially if they establish nests in damp or decaying wood.
What does the Acrobat Ant look like?
Acrobat ants are small, measuring approximately 2.6 to 3.2 mm in length, with shiny bodies that vary in color from light red to dark brown or black. A distinctive feature is their heart-shaped abdomen, which they raise above their thorax when disturbed. These ants have a two-segmented petiole, with the postpetiole attaching to the upper surface of the abdomen. The abdomen is pointed and equipped with a sting that may or may not be visible. They possess a pair of short spines on the propodeum and sparse hairs on the head and mesosoma.
Similar Ants
- Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
- Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)
Biology of Acrobat Ants
These ants undergo complete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. They typically nest in moist or decaying wood, such as logs, stumps, or tree cavities, and can also inhabit soil beneath leaf litter or rocks. Their diet includes live or dead insects and honeydew from sap-feeding insects like aphids, which they often protect to maintain this food source.
During mating flights, winged males and females leave the nest to mate; fertilized queens then establish new colonies in suitable locations.
When threatened, acrobat ants raise their heart-shaped abdomen over their thorax and head, a behavior that gives them their common name. They may also bite and emit a repulsive odor when alarmed. While primarily nesting outdoors, acrobat ants can invade homes, especially if there is decaying wood or moisture problems, and may nest in woodwork, foam insulation, or wall voids.
Habits of Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants (Crematogaster ashmeadi) are predominantly arboreal, establishing nests in trees and decaying wood. In the coastal plain pine forests of northern Florida, they are the dominant arboreal ant species, comprising 80-90% of the ant population in these ecosystems. Typically, each tree hosts a single colony, often occupying cavities created by other insects, such as cossid moth larvae and bark beetles.
Founding queens seek out these abandoned galleries in dead branches of longleaf pine saplings to establish new colonies, with only one queen per nest. Colonies contain a single queen, but may have multiple nest sites, requiring coordinated communication and task management across the colony.
5 Ways To Prevent Acrobat Ants in Your Home
These proactive steps will help keep them away, but if you’re still seeing signs of these ants, the professionals at Wise House Environmental Services are just a call away.
Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home's exterior for cracks, gaps, and openings, especially around doors, windows, and utility lines, and seal them with silicone-based caulk to block potential entryways.
Eliminate Moisture Sources
Repair leaky pipes, ensure proper ventilation in attics and crawl spaces, and address any moisture buildup within walls to create an inhospitable environment for acrobat ants.
Maintain Landscaping
Keep tree branches and shrubbery trimmed away from the house to prevent ants from using them as bridges to enter your home.
Properly Store Firewood and Building Materials
Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground, and eliminate piles of lumber, bricks, or other debris that could serve as nesting sites for ants.
Use Insecticide Barriers
Apply a residual insecticide barrier along the foundation of your home to deter ants from entering.
5 Ways To Keep Acrobat Ants Out Of Your Home
Following these tips for both inside and outside your home can help prevent Acrobat Ants from becoming a nuisance. If they’re still persistent, Wise House Environmental Services is ready to provide professional support and keep your home ant-free.
Store Food Properly
Ants are highly attracted to food inside the home. Keep food stored in airtight containers, clean up crumbs or spills immediately, and regularly empty trash bins with food waste.
Clean Regularly
Ants are resourceful and will find even the smallest bits of food. Regularly sweep, mop, and wipe down countertops, especially in the kitchen and dining areas, to remove potential food sources. Pay attention to corners and crevices where crumbs might gather.
Reduce Moisture
Fix leaks and eliminate damp areas to remove the moisture that Acrobat Ants seek out. Repair dripping faucets, leaky roofs, or poor drainage, and replace any damp or rotting wood.;lkuyj
Seal Cracks and Gaps Indoors
Just as with the exterior, inspect your home’s interior for small cracks or gaps where ants could enter. Seal any visible openings, especially around windows, door frames, baseboards, and along the edges of cabinets.
Don’t Leave Pet Food Out Overnight
If you have pets, avoid leaving their food out overnight. Ants are attracted to pet food, so clean up any leftover food, or place pet dishes in a shallow tray of water to create a barrier.
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