How to Get Rid of Acrobat Ants

Acrobat ants aren’t afraid to show off their tricks. They can raise their abdomen over their heads, which is why they’re called acrobat ants. Though talented, these ants can be a nuisance when they infest homes. We’ve gathered information to help you identify and get rid of acrobat ants. 

How to Identify Acrobat Ants

When viewed from above, acrobat ants have a heart-shaped abdomen. Worker ants measure about 1/8ʺ in length. Queens are larger measuring about 3/8ʺ. These ants vary in color from light brown to black. Acrobat ant antennae have eleven segments instead of twelve like most ant species.  

Where Do You Find Acrobat Ants?

Acrobat ants like areas with moisture. They nest in damp or rotting wood including decks and fences. If they find abandoned termite and carpenter ant nests, they’ll move in. These ants also nest under logs, rocks, and in trees. Though they prefer to be outside, the will head into homes. Inside, you can find them in water-damaged wood and wall voids. Acrobat ants can be found throughout the United States.

Signs of an Acrobat Ant Infestation

Acrobat ants leave behind a few clues to their presence. When they build their nests, they remove dirt, wood, and insulation. These can often be found near nests and can alert you to an infestation. Another sign is spotting an ant trail. Acrobat ants travel into homes using utility wires, branches, and plants touching the side of your home.

Are Acrobat Ants a Serious Problem?

Acrobat ants are more of a nuisance than a threat. One of the main concerns is that they can make pre-existing problems worse. As they build their nests, they can weaken the wood when tunneling. These ants aren’t dangerous, but if they are threatened, they can bite. When disturbed, some acrobat ants release an unpleasant odor.   

How Do You Prevent Acrobat Ants?

Stopping an infestation before it starts is the ideal way to handle bugs. Check out a few tips to help keep acrobat ants away.

• Seal Entry Points: Seal cracks in your home’s foundation and around doors and windows. Seal gaps around pipes and utility lines where they enter your house. Add screens to vents and repair damaged door and window screens.
• Minimize Moisture: These ants thrive in damp environments. Fix leaky pipes and faucets. Eliminate standing water in your yard. Check your home for moisture damage and repair the problem. Peeling paint and mold are signs of water damage.
• Remove Food Sources: Acrobat ants will look for food in your house. They feed on sweets and proteins. Ensure they can’t find something to eat. Wipe up crumbs and spills. Keep food in tightly sealed containers and keep your sink free of dirty dishes.
• Trim Vegetation: Keep trees and shrubs trimmed back from the side of your home. Ants can use vegetation as a bridge to sneak into your house.
• Store Firewood Properly: Keep piles of firewood several feet from your home. Remove any wood you aren’t using since acrobat ants like to nest in damp wood.
• Create a Protective Barrier: Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray can help prevent an ant problem. Our Yard Bug Spray kills ants on contact and provides residual repellency, which acts as a barrier helping to pests out.

How Do You Get Rid of Acrobat Ants?

Ant baits, like our Ant Killer Bait and No Spill Ant Kill, can help get rid of acrobat ants. Place ant bait or ant bait stations in areas where you see acrobat ant activity. Keep an eye on the bait to make sure ants are feeding. If ants are eating the bait, then it’s working. They will carry the bait back to the nest to share with the colony.

A plant-based insecticide spray can also help. Our Ant & Roach Killer spray kills ants on contact and has repellent properties. Make sure you don’t spray an insecticide near bait. You don’t want to prevent ants from eating the bait.

When acrobat ants invade, you’ll want to act quickly to avoid a serious infestation. If you’re dealing with a bug problem, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.