Acrobat Ant

The acrobat ant family includes several species. These ants are named for the curious acrobatic feat they perform – raising their abdomen up over their head almost like a scorpion, which becomes more apparent when they are alarmed. Acrobat ants are small, around an eighth-inch long and range in color from yellow-brown to dark brown. A stinger is present on these ants, but can be hard to see. A key characteristic to look for is their heart-shaped abdomen, which attaches at the top to the waist. (see picture)

Making their home both indoors and out, they usually build their nests in decaying wood. So sometimes a sawdust like material can be present around their nest. They have also been known to nest in various types of foam and insulation, but no matter where they nest they still need food. Trails of worker ants can be seen going between the nest and a various types of food sources, such as sweet or greasy substances. Keep an eye out for swarmers (ants with wings) as these can be an early warning sign of an infestation.