August 1996
COLOR: Reddish brown
DESCRIPTION: These ants are very small and reddish brown with a heart-shaped abdomen.
HABITAT: They can be found in areas adjacent to downspouts or in roofs that have small leaks. They are usually associated with houses on wooded lots.
TYPE OF DAMAGE: They infest moisture-damaged wood by building nests and tunneling out small to large areas in the wood. The amount of damage caused by these ants is minimal. They are small and seem to restrict their nest building and tunneling to the moisture-damaged wood. However, they can produce a quantity of fine sawdust or frass and that can cause some concern to homeowners.
CONTROL: Control of these small ants is best achieved by removing the damaged wood. The very presence of these ants indicates that the wood is damaged by moisture and that there is a structural fault somewhere. Replacement of the wood will control the ants and correct the structural problem.
INTERESTING FACTS: They are called acrobat ants because they can raise their abdomen over their heads.