Acrobat Ants

What do acrobat ants look like?

Acrobat ants are small insects with three body parts, six legs, and two antennae. Workers measure about ⅛ of an inch long and range in color from light brown to brownish-black. However, other ant species share a similar size and color. So how can you tell them apart? Look at the rear. Acrobat ants have a heart-shaped gaster. Not only is it uniquely shaped, but it’s often held in a unique position.

What do acrobat ants eat?

Acrobat ants feed on a wide variety of plant and animal materials. Outdoors, they prefer honeydew—a sweet substance produced by aphids and other plant-damaging insects. They also consume small insects to meet their protein needs.

Indoors, they raid kitchens and pantries, feeding on sugar, honey, jelly, meat, pet food, and other sources of carbohydrates and protein, just as they do outside.

Are acrobat ants harmful to humans?

Acrobat ants are not known for biting or stinging humans, and while they do have stingers, their sting is mild. However, they can cause other problems. For instance, they’re known to strip insulation from electrical wires, which can lead to shorts or even fires.

Where are acrobat ants typically found in homes?

Acrobat ants prefer damp environments, so their presence often signals a moisture issue. They nest in wood cavities, wall voids, floor voids, and other interior spaces—especially where there’s condensation or a leak.

In homes without moisture issues, they’re often found near doors and windows, where humidity levels tend to be higher.

How do I know if I have an acrobat ant problem?

Unlike other pest ants, acrobat ants don’t build dirt mounds near homes, so they may go unnoticed. Outdoors, they nest in damp wood debris. If they move inside, you can spot them in a couple of ways:

• Ant trails: Acrobat ants follow invisible pheromone trails to and from food sources. While you can’t see the pheromones, you may spot the ants traveling in lines.
• Frass: They produce small piles of frass—a mixture of insect parts, wood fragments, and droppings. You might find it on floors near gaps in walls, door frames, window frames, or baseboards where a nest may be hiding.

Seeing ants regularly indoors likely means there's a nest inside—and that you have a moisture issue, which is a bigger concern than the ants themselves.

How do I get rid of acrobat ants?

To tackle an acrobat ant infestation, try these steps—especially effective for outdoor nests:

• Sanitation: Clean thoroughly to remove food particles that attract ants.
• Protect food: Store food in sealed containers and keep it covered on countertops.
• Fix plumbing issues: Repair leaky faucets and showerheads to cut off water sources.
• Address moisture problems: Fix any structural damage caused by rain or leaks.
• Pest-proofing: Seal entry points using caulk or expanding foam.
• Weather-proofing: Ensure all exterior doors are properly sealed.

These steps remove what attracts acrobat ants and create physical barriers to keep them out. If you need additional help, contact us for professional ant control. We use proven strategies to locate and eliminate nests and apply targeted treatments to stop ants from entering your home.

What’s the best way to prevent an acrobat ant infestation?

The same steps used to eliminate ants can also prevent them. Keep your home clean, fix moisture problems, and seal up entry points. You should also manage exterior conditions that attract ants, such as:

• Aphid infestations
• Flowering weeds
• Exposed trash
• High insect populations

For the best protection, consider a home pest control service plan. Our plans offer several key benefits:

• We perform thorough inspections to identify conditions that attract pests.
• We reduce insect populations in your yard—acrobats' primary food source.
• We remove spider webs and egg sacs—another favorite food of these ants.
• We target ant colonies with effective baits.
• We apply exterior treatments that make it difficult for insects to survive near your home or find their way inside.

If you live in Tulsa or Fort Worth/Dallas, you're in our service area. Contact us today to start your pest control plan.