TrapJaw Labs

Ant Colonies We Ship to Florida

29 of our 46 ant species can ship to Florida. 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 Florida shakes out.

What we ship to Florida (29)

What we can’t ship — and why

17 of our species can’t cross the Florida line. USDA-APHIS requires a PPQ 526 permit per species, per destination state; these aren’t currently approved for Florida: Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, Myrmecocystus mimicus, Veromessor pergandei, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, Camponotus modoc, Myrmecocystus mexicanus, Dorymyrmex insanus, Pogonomyrmex maricopa, Lasius pallitarsis, Tetramorium immigrans, Novomessor cockerelli, Lasius brevicornis, Acromyrmex versicolor, Pogonomyrmex rugosus, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Myrmecocystus navajo, Camponotus chromaiodes. You can still read their care guides — and rules change as permits are granted.

Native to Florida

Aphaenogaster floridana — “These large, yellow ants are closely associated with sandy soils and is most commonly found in Florida.”

Crematogaster missouriensis — “A central and southeastern ant, recorded from Indiana and Kansas south through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas to Florida, west into Arizona and New Mexico, and on into Mexico, spanning roughly 41.8°N down to…”

Odontomachus brunneus — “Native range extends from Texas and across the southern gulf states and the Florida Keys.”

Pheidole adrianoi — “Native to central and northern Florida, west to the panhandle, with records extending into Georgia and Alabama.”

Pheidole carrolli — “A northern Florida endemic, recorded from only a handful of counties around Gainesville and Tallahassee.”

Pheidole littoralis — “Native exclusively to Florida and neighboring states.”

Pogonomyrmex badius — “Native to the southeastern United States, primarily Florida.”

When queens fly in Florida

Our analysis of 7,620 alate observations across the Southeast (including Florida) found that June, May and July hold 64% of recorded nuptial flights, and about half of every record belongs to a dusk or after-dark flier. Full breakdown in our southeastern nuptial flight study.

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.