Acrobat Ant
Camponotus spp.
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Size:These most common species of this ant is 1/8-inch long (3mm)
Color: These ants range in color from black, to dark brown, to red & black. They are often quite shiny. Acrobat ants are identifiable by the heart shape of their abdomen.
Behavior: When excited or disturbed, the acrobat ant workers run about with their abdomens held high above their heads. This ant, unlike some other common pest species, does not generally form long lines of foragers. They feed on a wide variety of foods, but the workers are partial to the sweet honeydew produced by aphids, scales and mealy bugs found feeding on many trees and plants. Most indoor infestations are the result of workers searching for food.
Habitat: Acrobat ants, like carpenter ants, 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 because of water leaks, this ant will readily nest indoors. Such interior nests are typically found around the perimeter in soffits, door frames and skylights, and in foam board or insulation, especially if it is damp.
These ants may be found both indoors and outdoors. They will not colonize wood that is in sound condition, but frequently nest in dead or decaying wood. Outdoors they are frequently found nesting in logs, stumps, and hollow tree cavities. They also nest beneath tarps, leaf litter, stones, or anyplace where the soil is likely to be damp. Infestations of acrobat ants are generally associated with homes constructed on wooded lots or adjacent to forestland. When nesting in structures, acrobat ants are usually associated with moist or rotting wood and are frequently found in window frames or adjacent to downspouts. They may create cavities in wood kept damp by leaks or condensation from plumbing fixtures.
Control: Acrobat ants are controlled by finding and treating the wood where the ant colonies are located. If the nest is located far above the ground in a tree, direct treatment is impossible. 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. General tips for limiting ant infestations include: •
- Eliminating piles of lumber, bricks or other debris that could serve as a nesting site for ants.
- Improving attic and crawl space ventilation.
- Keeping landscape mulch less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from foundations.
- Ensuring that sprinklers does not spray directly onto the foundation.
- Sealing as many cracks in the building's exterior as possible.
Environmental Policy
The employees of American Pest Management are committed to improving the quality of life for all of our customers by providing the safest and most effective treatment for the management of pests which pose a threat to their health, property, and food supply. History has shown that neglecting to control pests such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks, and the misapplication of pest control products are equally dangerous.
