Acrobat Ant

Life Cycle

Color: Red, brown, or black
Size: Workers about 3 mm
Key Markings: Heart-shaped abdomen
Activity: Forages around nests and food
Common Areas: Trees, damp wood, wall voids

Description

Crematogaster spp.

Acrobat ants have a distinctive abdomen that they may lift above the body when disturbed. They use sheltered sites in trees and dead wood, and sometimes occupy structural voids. Insects and sweet liquids provide food. Like other ants, they develop through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.

Ants develop through complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Workers support the developing colony; visible foragers are only part of it.

What Attracts Them?

Moisture-damaged materials
Honeydew and small insects
Sheltered gaps and tree cavities

How Do They Get Inside?

Gaps at windows or utility lines
Branches touching buildings
Openings leading to wall voids

Signs of an Infestation

Ants lifting their abdomens

Trails near trees or wiring

Activity around damp wood

Workers emerging from small gaps

How Serious or Harmful Are They?

Indoor activity can point to a nearby nesting site or moisture condition. Identification matters because treating a trail alone may not address the nest.

Treatment / How to Get Rid of Them

What You Can Do

Repair leaks and inspect damp materials
Keep branches off rooflines
Seal accessible entry gaps
Note where workers disappear into the structure

How Pest Guys Helps

The A-C-T Process: Assess. Communicate. Treat.

Assess — We inspect your property, identify pests and activity, locate nesting and hiding areas, and find contributing conditions.

Communicate — We explain our findings, discuss the recommended plan, answer your questions, and confirm understanding and agreement.

Treat — We put the agreed plan into action, perform the initial treatment, provide ongoing service, and monitor results to adjust as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for first?

Heart-shaped abdomen. Ants lifting their abdomens. A clear photograph and the location of activity can help with identification.

What conditions should I check?

Start with moisture-damaged materials. Repair leaks and inspect damp materials.

Does seeing one mean there is an infestation?

A single sighting does not establish the extent of a problem. Repeated activity, developing young, nests, or other evidence help us determine what is happening.

How does Pest Guys decide what to do?

We use A-C-T: Assess, Communicate, Treat. The pest, its location, and the conditions at your home guide the recommendation. We explain the plan and any preparation needed before service.