Acrobat Ants | Information, Identification, and Extermination
Description & appearance
Ant problems and can be some of the most difficult pest control issues of them all. Acrobat ants are no exception. A colony can increase its population size spread quickly. A few ants here and there can turn into a major issue fast.
They look like carpenter ants but are much smaller in size – most measuring less than 6mm in length. They nest in old carpenter ant colonies, termite colonies, in voids and in insulation.
What makes them stand out?
You will be able to notice these ants because of their heart-shaped bottoms. Worker ants fit the definition of acrobat quite well. The headstand-like acrobatic move that they might do when they feel threatened – raising their butts up above their heads in an attempt to scare off potential threats will help you know which ant species you are dealing with right away.
Signs of infestation
The most visible signs of an acrobat ant infestation are the trails of ants as they go out foraging for food and other resources. Live and dead insects are visible when a colony is present.
The debris they leave behind as they make their nests is visible. Look out for bits of foam insulation, wood, and dead ants around the base of the nest. Their ideal entry points are places where the insulation is visible from outside. Start by looking at these gaps.
More on base-building in the next paragraph.
Behavior, diet, and daily activities
When invading homes, acrobat ants often stay in damp areas like foam layers behind the siding. They have also been found nesting in the roofing near a leaky skylight. If you feel you have a risk of any of these damp areas, you should check before it is too late. Dealing with a few ants is much easier than the alternative.
Issues with these pests can get out of hand before you even know you have a problem. Stay alert, and identify the infestation quickly.
They nest in the aftermath termite or carpenter ant damaged the wood. They can clean out the spaces that the other insects have left in the wood and make a home there. One of the telltale signs of acrobat ants is the debris that they have cleaned out of these spaces. Don’t confuse this with termite damage! If you live in Staten Island, have a Staten Island exterminator come and assess the damage you are seeing. Trained eyes can tell the difference quickly.
How do they enter the home?
The acrobat ant worker ants enter residential homes in many ways. You will sometimes be able to see their trail along the ground. Door gaps, window gaps, and construction gaps in the foundation of the home are common places for them to enter.
Look for places where trees or other foliage touch the structure of the property. They crawl along tree limbs.
Workers can also crawl along tree limbs and bushes that come in contact with the property. They can also enter through wire holes in the home.
On the same note, they can crawl along wires and utility lines, entering the home at the same places these wires do.
Preventing ant infestations
We know why they enter the home and how they do it. There are preventative measures that you can take to ward off invaders.
- Trim shrubs or tree limbs that are touching the home. They sometimes live inside decaying wood.
- Check vents in the attic
- Wall voids should be checked for signs of ants
- Repair any damaged screens
- Re-caulk openings around pipes and utility lines where they enter the home
- If you are not trained, get in touch with an electrician for this kind of work.
- Move firewood piles away from the home
- Check stumps around the property for nesting and remove if infested
- Repair any leaky skylights or windows, the damp insulation is a perfect home for these pests
- Correcting
- Clean out gutters and make sure any spouts are directed away from the foundation to prevent moisture
- Use sealed containers to store food
- Seal the foundation if any cracks exist
- When using insecticide materials, you should get in touch and seek advice from a local pest management specialist. They can give you information and advice on the techniques that will prove most successful.
Try to use an ant bait to lure out worker ants. When they cannot make it back to the acrobat ant colony, it cannot grow as quickly. QWHen the nesting site is no longer valuable to the colony, they might decide to move on.
Exterminator Staten Island
When DIY ant control is not enough, call a pest control professional. Ant bait isn’t always enough for deeply rooted infestations.
Good news – companies like ours are around to help you out.
Annihilator is a top rated ant control exterminator. Staten Island and the rest of the tri-state presents unique challenges and obstacles. We know them all and are ready for them.
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