Expert Acrobat Ant Extermination Richmond VA

Acrobat ants get their name from a funny habit: when they get spooked, they flip their heart-shaped tails up over their heads like they’re doing a handstand. But don't let the name fool you. While they might look like they're just performing a trick, these ants are one of the few pests that can actually create a fire hazard in your home. At Optimal Termite & Pest Control, we provide specialized acrobat ant treatments because we know how much damage they can do.

Most ant control jobs are just about stopping a nuisance, but acrobat ants are a different story. They love nesting inside walls and near electrical outlets. They have a bad habit of stripping the plastic coating off of wires to make room for their nests. When they chew through that insulation, it can cause short circuits.

In old Richmond neighborhoods like The Fan, Museum District, or Church Hill, where wiring is already delicate, this is a serious risk. If you see these ants near your breaker box or outlets, you need ant extermination that looks deeper than just the baseboards.

Acrobat ants love moisture. You will usually find them in areas where there has been a leak or some wood rot. They often take over old nests left behind by termites or carpenter ants. In The West End or Stratford Hills, we often find them:

• Behind siding and foam insulation.
• Around leaky window frames.
• Inside wall "voids" near plumbing.

Because they live deep inside your walls and travel along your home's wiring, a simple spray from the hardware store won't reach the queen. Plus, if you don't find the moisture problem that attracted them in the first place, they will just keep coming back. We know how to track their trails back to the source and stop them before they do real damage to your home’s electrical system.

Our treatment process for acrobat ants is very similar to what we do for other house ants. We set up a barrier around your foundation to stop them from coming in, and we use granular baits outside that the ants carry back to their queen.

The most important step for this specific ant is treating the "voids." We put professional-grade dust into the empty spaces in your walls and around your outlets. This hits the ants exactly where they are nesting and chewing on your wires.

You can help make our treatments even more effective by doing a few things around the house:

• Trim Your Trees: Keep branches and bushes from touching your siding or roof. These act like a bridge for ants to climb right into your attic.
• Fix Leaks: Check for leaky faucets or clogged gutters. These ants are drawn to moisture, so keeping things dry is key.
• Move the Woodpile: If you have firewood, keep it away from the side of the house. Acrobat ants love nesting in wood piles and will move from the logs right into your foundation.