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Acrobat ants (Crematogaster) are the small ants with distinctive heart-shaped abdomens that they raise when threatened. Common throughout Florida. Here is the identification guide.
How to identify
- 1/8 inch long.
- Yellow-brown to dark brown.
- Heart-shaped abdomen visible from above.
- Raise abdomen over head when disturbed.
- Often confused with carpenter ants but smaller.
Where they nest
- Wet or rotting wood (similar to carpenter ants).
- Tree cavities.
- Inside foam insulation in attics.
- Under siding with moisture problems.
- Sometimes in old carpenter ant or termite galleries.
Treatment protocol
Step 1: Find the nest
Follow worker trails. Look for nests in damp wood, around plumbing penetrations, or in attic insulation.
Step 2: Address moisture source
Acrobat ants follow water damage. Fix leaks, gutters, and moisture sources.
Step 3: Apply Taurus SC or Bifen IT to nest
Inject treatment into wood galleries when accessible. Spray perimeter to prevent re-entry.
Step 4: Replace damaged wood
If structural wood is involved, replace after treatment.
Verdict
Acrobat ants follow moisture damage. Address the underlying water source first; insecticide treatment second. Replace damaged wood once colony is eliminated.
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