Acrobat Ants in Phoenix, AZ
Crematogaster spp.
Acrobat ants raise their heart-shaped abdomen when disturbed — and they'll nest in moisture-damaged wood. Here's what to know.
Notes: From a Phoenix, AZ Exterminator
Appearance
Acrobat ants are light brown to black, about 1/8 inch long, and named for their signature defensive move — raising their heart-shaped abdomen up and over their body (like an acrobat) when disturbed.
Harborage
These ants often nest in moisture-damaged or decaying wood, both outdoors in dead tree limbs and indoors in areas with past water damage — around window frames, roof leaks, or old termite damage.
Are They Dangerous?
They can bite and release a foul odor when crushed, but they're not a significant health threat. Their real cost is what they reveal: an active or past moisture problem in your home's structure.
Treatment
Because their presence often points to hidden wood moisture issues, treatment should address both the ants and the underlying cause. Antidote Pest Solutions inspects for moisture sources while treating the colony. Call in and speak to one of our service pros to get to the root of it.
Prevention Tips
Fix roof leaks, irrigation drips, and plumbing leaks promptly — acrobat ants target moisture-damaged wood
Replace or treat any wood that has water damage or old termite damage
Trim tree branches and shrubs so they don't touch the roofline
Seal cracks around window frames and rooflines where they enter
Keep mulch and woodpiles away from the foundation
Remove dead tree limbs and stumps from the yard
Behavioral Notes
When threatened, acrobat ants raise their heart-shaped abdomen up over their head and thorax like a gymnast — the move that gives them their name.
They tend aphids and scale insects for honeydew, actively 'farming' them on trees and shrubs near the nest.
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