Acrobat Ants in McAlpin
In McAlpin, acrobat ants are occasional structural pests. When the workers are alarmed, they arch and raise their abdomen over their heads, leading to their name as the acrobat ant. These ants will wipe their venom on smaller prey with their spatula-shaped stinger. They tend to nest in twigs and hollow stems and can tunnel through damp soft wood like carpenter ants. The ants practice mutualism, which means they tend to aphids and feed on the honeydew that the aphids produce. In situations where acrobat ants nest indoors, they will typically find moist wood or cavities that are caused by water leaks.
Acrobat Ant Habitat
Their presence, whether indoors or outdoors, indicates decaying wood. The nests of acrobat ants can be found in a variety of locations, including the deadwood of trees (stumps, stems, or branches). While not considered a tree or shrub pest, they do protect other insects that are pests, such as aphids. If nests occur indoors, the acrobat ants nest in woodwork, sometimes moving into abandoned carpenter ants and termite galleries. The damage from other insects or moisture in a home is a nesting area that acrobat ants prefer, and these tend to be around door and window frames. They will locate and forage for food in pantries and kitchen pantries.
Acrobat Ant Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
When provoked, the acrobat ant is known to release a foul odor and aggressively bite. Should a bite occur, a mild reaction is common and can last between a few hours to a few days. It is not usual for the ant to nest in a home, but this may occur when there is damp or damaged wood. In homes, they are also known to infest foam core panel insulation and strip the insulation off of wires. This can cause short circuits and introduce the possibility of a fire hazard. If an acrobat ant infestation is suspected, it is recommended to contact a professional ant exterminator.
