Homeowners face a number of different pest problems every year, and they’re all nothing short of frustrating. Among them is an invasion of acrobatic ants, and while some ants are easily controlled, these can be incredibly problematic.
Exploring Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants have a tendency to raise their abdomens over their thoraxes and heads when disturbed. It’s for this reason they’re called “acrobat” ants. The name actually covers several different species. They vary in color from black to light brown, but you may also see some that are multicolored with a head or centralized body that is darker than the rest. They range in size from 1/16 to 18 inches long, and they all have a petiole, or a two segemented section, that attaches to the front part of their abdomen with spines along the thorax. What’s more, though, is that the abdomen is heart-shaped in nature when you look at it from above.
When they’re in their natural environment, acrobat ants eat on the aphids’ honeydew as well as other live or dead insects. You may notice them in logs or trees, as they tend to prefer moist wood for nests. Inside your home, though, they’re willing to live almost anywhere. They love to nest in wall voiced and baseboards. They’ll also be happy to take up residence in a door or window frame if it’s been damaged by moisture. You’re particularly at risk if you’ve previously had a termite or carpenter ant infestation, as they will use those nests as their own.
If they do invade your home, they’re going to look for sweet food or those items that offer high protein content. If you happen to threaten one, they’ll bite viciously and give off a ferocious odor you’ll only ever want to smell once.
Controlling these creatures certainly isn’t easy, but a good Brevard County pest control service like Slug-A-Bug can help. With the tools and knowledge necessary to help you eliminate an acrobat ant infestation, you can get rid of these creatures for good.