Ant Colonies We Ship to California

21 of our 46 ant species can ship to California. USDA-APHIS makes live-ant shipping a state-by-state matter — each species needs a PPQ 526 permit for each destination state — so here is exactly how California shakes out.

What we ship to California (21)

What we can't ship — and why

25 of our species can't cross the California line. USDA-APHIS requires a PPQ 526 permit per species, per destination state; these aren't currently approved for California: Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, Dorymyrmex bureni, Camponotus floridanus, Camponotus castaneus, Pheidole morrisii, Solenopsis pergandei, Pogonomyrmex badius, Pheidole dentata, Crematogaster minutissima, Pheidole lamia, Odontomachus brunneus, Nylanderia arenivaga, Pheidole littoralis, Pheidole metallescens, Solenopsis geminata, Temnothorax pergandei, Colobopsis impressa, Aphaenogaster fulva, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Camponotus chromaiodes, Crematogaster cerasi, Camponotus decipiens, Camponotus snellingi, Camponotus discolor. You can still read their care guides — and rules change as permits are granted.

Native to California

Camponotus ocreatus — “A southwestern ant, running from California and Nevada through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and far down into Mexico, from about 40.3°N to 18.5°N, with Nevada records between 4,200 and 7,000 feet.”

Camponotus semitestaceus — “A Great Basin and California ant, ranging west of the Rockies, east as far as Oklahoma and south into northern Mexico.”

Veromessor andrei — “Veromesor andrei occurs in most open habitats from seaside to mountain valleys throughout the California coastal range from southern Oregon to northern Baja California.”

Solenopsis xyloni

Prefer to catch your own queen? Our free Ant Flight Predictor is coming soon — it will forecast nuptial flights near you. Meanwhile, browse every state and the full TrapJaw Labs shop.