Acrobat Ants (Cregatogaster spp.)
These ants are known for their ability to lift their abdomen over their head when disturbed or threatened. This often resembles the posture of an acrobat performing a somersault, hence the name.
Carpenter Ants vs Acrobat Ants
- Appearance: Acrobat ants are generally smaller in size. They are light to dark brown and have distinctive heart-shaped abdomens. Carpenter ants are larger ants, with workers ranging from about 6 to 13 millimeters in length. They vary in color, including black, red, or a combination of both, and have evenly rounded thoraxes.
- Nesting Habits: Acrobat ants typically nest outdoors in various locations, such as soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, or under rocks. They can also nest indoors, especially in wall voids or within wooden structures. Carpenter ants are known for excavating galleries in wood, where they establish their nests. They prefer damp or decaying wood but can also infest sound wood in structures.
- Diet: Acrobat ants are omnivorous and feed on various food sources, including insects, nectar, and honeydew produced by aphids. Carpenter ants primarily feed on sugary substances like honeydew, other insects and food scraps. They do not consume wood but excavate it for nesting purposes.
- Damage: Acrobat ants can cause damage by nesting in wooden structures, potentially weakening them over time. They may also infest electrical wiring and contaminate food sources. Carpenter ants are known for their ability to cause significant structural damage by excavating galleries in wood. While they do not consume wood for food, their nesting activity can weaken wooden structures.
- Behavior: Acrobat ants are named for their distinctive defensive behavior of lifting their abdomen over their head when disturbed, resembling an acrobat performing a somersault. Carpenter ants do not exhibit such unique defensive behaviors but can emit a defensive odor when threatened.
How to Get Rid of Acrobat Ants
Getting rid of acrobat ants typically involves a combination of preventive measures, direct treatment of ant colonies, and ongoing maintenance to ensure long-term control.
- Identify and Locate Nests: Identify where the acrobat ants are nesting. Look for ant trails, especially near food sources or areas with moisture. Inspect indoors and outdoors for signs of nests, such as small openings in wood, soil, or wall voids.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Reduce the availability of food sources that attract acrobat ants. Clean up spills promptly, store food in airtight containers, and maintain cleanliness in kitchens and other areas where food is prepared or stored.
- Seal Entry Points: Seal off entry points that ants may use to access your home or building. Caulk cracks and gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and utility lines. Repair damaged screens and ensure that doors and windows fit tightly.
- Trim Vegetation: Trim trees, shrubs, and other vegetation that may be touching or close to the structure. This helps prevent ants from using branches or foliage as a bridge to access your home.
- Remove Outdoor Nesting Sites: If possible, remove or relocate outdoor nesting sites such as logs, mulch, and debris piles away from the home's foundation. This can discourage ants from establishing colonies close to your property.
- Pest Control Professional: Consider using a pest control expert. While there are many different species of ants, treatment is not all the same. An expert can guide you on handling them correctly and ensuring you are pest-free.
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What do Acrobat Ants Look Like?
These are a relatively small ant, typically measuring between 2.5 to 3mm long. They vary in color but are yellowish brown, to brown, to red and even black.
Their body is segmented into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head typically features large mandibles and compound eyes. Acrobat ants have a single note or segment connecting their thorax and abdomen, which helps differentiate them from other ant species. other ant species.
What are the Signs of Acrobat Ants?
This can vary depending on the severity of the problem and the specific environment. However, some common signs include:
Visible Ants: Seeing live ants crawling indoors or outdoors. Especially if they exhibit the distinctive behavior of raising their abdomen when disturbed.
Trails of Ants: Finding trails of ants moving along walls, floors, or other surfaces, particularly near potential food sources.
Nesting Sites: Discovering nests, which can be located in a variety of places such as soil, rotting wood, under rocks, or in wall voids. Their nests are often small and inconspicuous.
Frass or Wood Shavings: Accumulations of wood shavings or frass (ant waste) near nesting sites, particularly if the ants are nesting in wood structures.
Foraging Activity: Finding ants foraging for food in kitchens, pantries, or other food stage areas.
Swarms of Flying Ants: During certain times of the year, they may produce winged reproductive (swarmers).
Damage to Wood: There may be signs of wood damage, such as small holes, galleries, or weakened wood.
Presence of Honeydew: If they are tending aphids or other sap-sucking insects; you may notice the presence of honeydew.
Do Acrobat Ants Have Wings?
Acrobat ants have both winged reproductive individuals (swarmers) and wingless worker ants within their colonies. The swarmers are produced during certain times of the year, often in spring, when mature colonies are ready to establish new colonies.
During this period, the swarmers leave the colony in large numbers and engage in mating flights. After mating, the males die, and the mated females (queens) will land and attempt to establish new colonies. Once a suitable nesting site is found, the queen will shed her wings and begin laying eggs to start a new colony.
Worker ants, which make up the majority of the colony, are typically wingless and are responsible for foraging, caring for the brood, and maintaining the nest.
Do Acrobat Ants Cause Damage?
Acrobat ants can cause damage, particularly when they establish nests in or around structures. Some of the potential damage includes:
Structural Damage: If nests are in beams, joists, or wall voids, they can contribute to the deterioration of the wood. Over time, this activity may weaken the structural integrity of the wood, leading to potential damage or collapse.
Electrical Damage: Sometimes, these ants may nest in electrical wiring or equipment. Their presence can lead to electrical shorts or malfunctions.
Contamination: Like other ants, acrobat ants can contaminate food and food preparation areas when they forage indoors. They may carry bacteria and pathogens picked up from various surfaces and transmit them to food items, posing a potential health risk.
Nuisance: Their presence indoors can be a nuisance to homeowners.
Do Acrobat Ants Bite?
Yes, acrobat ants are capable of biting if they feel threatened or are disturbed. However, their bites are generally considered minor and typically result in mild discomfort, such as a slight pinch or irritation.
Acrobat ants do not possess venom like some other ant species, such as the fire ant, so their bites are not typically medically significant for humans.