For a lot of us, Summer is the season for home improvement projects. While trying our best to make our homes better, there might be something hidden that’s working against us. The Denton pest control experts at Mayco Pest & Termite Control are on the lookout for pests during the summer season that can bother you or damage your home, and acrobat ants are a prime suspect.
What Is An Acrobat Ant?
Ants are a nuisance in the summer. All ants forage, but acrobat ants have a few distinguishable features. They lift their abdomens when threatened or alert, eat sweets and protein-rich foods like meat, and chew tunnels into deadwood.
They’re named "acrobats" because of the way they lithely lift their abdomen, which is uniquely different from other species.
Do Acrobat Ants Destroy Wood?
Yes, acrobat ants are known to chew networks of tunnels in wood. Though they don’t eat wood like termites, they are capable of similar damage.
They are known to mine and create nests in:
- Deadwood
- Logs
- Moist or damp wood
- Wooden structures of houses
If these six-legged wood chewers are in your house, you’ll see evidence of them. Piles of sawdust and small wooden debris will indicate that they’ve been busy. They’re slightly easier to discover than most termites, though. They come out to forage for food, hoping to feed the queen back at the nest.
These ants eat termites, as well. They can take over an existing termite infestation in some cases and usurp their tunnels to continue their own.
Are Acrobat Ants Dangerous To Humans And Animals?
These pests aren’t the most dangerous to humans or animals but they can cause some problems. They can bite and sting but they won’t cause any major injury.
Concerns include:
- Food contamination
- Mild bites
- Electrical damage and ensuant fire hazards
Due to their mining through the walls, acrobat ants can strip away wire insulation. If they keep on chewing, they can cut through wires, too. They are capable of causing short circuits, power outages, or other electrical damage if they chew in the right places. We at Mayco Pest & Termite Control know this can be a fire hazard, so we recommend considering ant pest control. This problem can multiply for businesses, and we offer commercial ant control in Denton, as well.
How Can I Remove The Acrobat Ants Infesting My Food?
When acrobat ants find a food source, they swarm it to carry it back to the colony. You can prevent this by sealing food supplies in airtight containers. If ants are already in your food, it's important to dispose of the infested food in an outdoor trash receptacle and thoroughly clean and sanitize the area, ensuring no food smells remain to attract more ants. Ant control for homeowners can quickly become overwhelming, so if you have an active infestation, your best bet is to call the professionals.
At Mayco Pest & Termite Control, we’ve prided ourselves on consistent top-rated service since our inception in 2010. We maintain an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, so we know we can fight any pest infestation that plagues you. Don’t wait on home pest control in Denton; contact us today.