Acrobat Ant
Overview & Quick Facts
Keep ants out of your home or business with
effective identification and control strategies.
A Closer Look at Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants get their name from a peculiar behavior—they raise their heart-shaped abdomens over their heads when disturbed, almost like a gymnast doing a backbend. These small but active ants are often mistaken for other species but have unique characteristics that set them apart.
🐜 Identifying Acrobat Ants
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Scientific name: Crematogaster spp.
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Size: About 1/8 inch long
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Color: Usually light brown to black, sometimes with a reddish tint
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Defining trait: A heart-shaped gaster (rear segment) and their habit of holding it high above their bodies
🏡 Where Do They Live?
Acrobat ants commonly nest in:
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Rotting wood
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Tree stumps
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Dead limbs
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Inside wall voids or insulation in homes
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Abandoned termite galleries
They’re especially drawn to moisture and areas with existing pest damage.
⚠️ Are They Harmful?
Acrobat ants don’t sting, but:
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They can bite if provoked
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They sometimes emit a foul-smelling odor when disturbed
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Indoors, they may strip insulation from electrical wires (like carpenter ants)
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Their presence often indicates moisture problems or rotting wood, so they can be a red flag for bigger issues
🍽️ What Do They Eat?
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Honeydew from aphids or scale insects
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Live or dead insects
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Sweets and proteins if foraging indoors
They’re not picky—and they’re aggressive scavengers.
🧠 Fun Fact
Acrobat ants are excellent climbers and can enter buildings through the tiniest cracks or along utility lines and tree limbs. Their ability to navigate vertical surfaces makes them tough to keep out once they’re interested in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Acrobat Ants
What are Acrobat Ants?
Acrobat ants belong to the genus Crematogaster and are known for their unique defensive posture—raising their heart-shaped abdomens above their heads. This behavior gives them their common name. They are small, agile, and can live both outdoors and indoors.
What do Acrobat Ants look like?
- Size: About 1/16″ to 1/8″ long
- Color: Light brown to black, sometimes bicolored
- Key ID: Distinctive heart-shaped abdomen, especially visible from above
Where do Acrobat Ants live?
Outdoors, they nest in:
- Dead or rotting wood
- Tree stumps and logs
- Under stones or landscaping materials
Indoors, they prefer:
- Wall voids
- Damp or decayed wood
- Insulation or around plumbing leaks
Are Acrobat Ants dangerous?
They are not structurally damaging like carpenter ants and do not spread disease, but:
- They can bite if disturbed.
- They may damage insulation or wiring while nesting.
- Their presence often indicates moisture problems or preexisting damage.
How do I know if I have an infestation?
Look for:
- Trails of ants indoors or along foundations
- Small piles of debris (insulation, wood shavings)
- Ants emerging from wall outlets, vents, or siding
- Peeling paint or moisture-damaged wood
What do Acrobat Ants eat?
They are omnivores and will feed on:
- Sweets (especially honeydew from aphids)
- Proteins (insects, pet food)
- Greasy foods
How do I get rid of Acrobat Ants?
How do I get rid of them?
- Fix moisture issues: Dry out damp areas and repair leaks.
- Seal up entry points: Use caulk and weather stripping.
- Clean up food sources: Keep surfaces and floors free of crumbs and spills.
- Remove wood debris: Keep firewood, mulch, and logs away from your home.
- Consider insecticidal dust or sprays: Especially in voids where ants are nesting.
- Hire a pest professional for complex or recurring infestations.
Struggling with ants in your home or yard? Whether it's fire ants, carpenter ants, ghost ants, or any other species, Hannan Environmental Services offers expert ant control and prevention throughout South Florida. Our trained technicians provide safe, effective, and long-lasting solutions to keep your home pest-free. Contact us today for reliable service you can trust! Feel free to also reach out to Hannan Environmental Services on Facebook!