What do you think when you hear the name acrobat ant? Some people think about an insect with the ability to jump really high or swing from tiny little bars. This is not the case with acrobat ants. Today we will be talking about how this pest got its name, how much of a problem these ants are on area properties, and providing you with some options to protect your Dallas home from them. If that is something you are interested in, let’s dive right in.
Where Do Acrobat Ants Get Their Name?
Acrobat ants look like typical ants. They are ⅛” long, light brown to black, and have heart-shaped abdomens. What sets acrobat ants apart from other area species is its ability to raise its abdomen over its thorax and head. Another thing that sets the acrobat ant apart is its ability to bite when threatened. Like fire ants, acrobat ants will attack larger creatures that wander too close to their nests. This includes humans. To avoid being bitten by acrobat ants in Dallas, avoid picking them up and do not walk over or near their nests while barefooted.
How To Tell If Acrobat Ants Are On Your Property
The best way to identify acrobat ants is by their unique appearance and the way they contort their bodies. Besides this, their behaviors match other area species. They build their nests under rocks, logs, or inside wall voids and in other secluded areas in and around structures. Acrobats ants will also take shelter inside tunnels created by wood-destroying pests like termites and carpenter ants. If these pests nest close enough to your home, or inside, they will come indoors to look for food and moisture to keep their colony well provided for.
What Attracts Acrobat Ants?
Acrobat ants are like other common types of ants in our area. They are drawn to properties and into homes by food, moisture, and shelter opportunities. What do acrobat ants eat? Mostly, these pests enjoy eating sweet and protein-rich things like honeydew, sugary beverages, dead and living insects, and most foods humans eat. To find out if your home has tasty treats, acrobat ants may send scouts to look around. These scouts use pheromone trails to lead workers back to gatherable food sources and can travel several hundred feet from their nests without forgetting how to get back.
Ways To Keep Acrobat Ants Out Of Your Home
Acrobat ants are mostly yard pests and do not invade homes as frequently as other area species do. Keeping this in mind, they will come indoors if the weather outdoors is life-threatening or if food outside is becoming scarce. To keep these pests out of your living areas, we recommend making sure that your home’s exterior is properly sealed. Some great ways to do this include sealing holes, gaps, and cracks in foundational blocks using a caulking gun, repairing or replacing window/door screens, and making sure your home’s weatherstripping is in good working condition.
How To Keep Acrobat Ants Away From Your Yard
If you are looking for how to get rid of acrobat ants from your yard or would like a comprehensive option to keep pests in general out of your home, year-round, we have great affordable options here at Dynasty Pest Control. We will implement fast-working ant pest control options to remove acrobat ants from your yard and apply a long-lasting defensive barrier around your home’s exterior. If you want a good idea of what pests are in or around your Dallas home, let us perform a detailed pest inspection.
Call today to learn more about our detailed ant pest control options and schedule your Dallas home for a visit.