Harvester Ants of California
California Seed Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus) are found throughout the southwest. Harvester ants play an important ecological role as scavengers and seed dispersers but their numbers have declined due to several invasive ant species. Invasive ants compete for food and even rage war on these native ants. Seed Harvester Ants get their name from eating and hoarding seeds; a favorite is the California poppy which benefits from its seeds dispersed into new areas by the ants. Harvester ants are large in size, about ¼ of an inch, and reddish in color. They have large heads with “beards,” hairs on their chin, for carrying soil or sand when excavating. Seed Harvester ants, like other “red” ants, have a very painful sting that spreads venom through the lymph nodes of animals, sometimes causing reactions in ones that are allergic to their venom.Pest Control
Nests are easily identified; usually found outside in the soil, with pebbles and hulls of seeds scattered around the entrance. Harvester ants are good about taking their garbage with them when they travel to a new location. These native ants do not invade the home but make their nests outdoors in exposed sandy soil sometimes found along paths and near playgrounds. California Harvester ants are only active in the daytime during warmer weather. Their nests can have as many as 10 different entrances. If stepped on, they will sting and unlike most ants, the stinger is left in the wound. And, they can bite! Hearts Pest Management technicians are able to identify, locate, and eradicate nests as necessary but if the ants are far enough away in the outdoors, just be careful of where you step and know that they are beneficial seed dispersers and scavengers.

Locations
City Services for Pest Control in Los Angeles
Agoura Hills | Northridge | |
Alhambra | Pacific Palisades | |
Arcadia | Palos Verdes Estates | |
Beverly Hills | Pasadena | |
Burbank | Pomona | |
Calabasas | Rancho Palos Verdes | |
Cerritos | Redondo Beach | |
City of Industry | Reseda | |
City of Los Angeles | Rolling Hills Estates | |
Claremont | San Marino | |
Culver City | Santa Fe Springs | |
Cypress | Santa Monica | |
Diamond Bar | Sherman Oaks | |
El Monte | Sylmar | |
El Segundo | Tarzana | |
Encino | Temple City | |
Glendale | Toluca Lake | |
Granada Hills | Torrance | |
Hacienda Heights | Venice | |
Hidden Hills | Walnut | |
Hollywood | West Covina | |
La Verne | West Hollywood | |
Long Beach | West Los Angeles | |
Malibu | Westlake Village | |
Manhattan Beach | Whittier | |
Marina Del Rey | Woodland Hills | |
North Hollywood | ||
City Services for Pest Control in Orange County
Aliso Viejo | Laguna Hills | |
Anaheim | Laguna Niguel | |
Brea | Lake Forest | |
Buena Park | Los Alamitos | |
Capistrano Beach | Mission Viejo | |
City of Orange | Newport Beach | |
Corona Del Mar | Orange | |
Costa Mesa | Rancho Santa Margarita | |
Dana Point | Rossmoor | |
Fountain Valley | San Clemente | |
Fullerton | San Juan Capistrano | |
Garden Grove | Santa Ana | |
Huntington Beach | Tustin | |
Irvine | Villa Park | |
La Habra | Westminster | |
Laguna Beach | Yorba Linda | |
City Services for Pest Control in San Diego
4S Ranch | Rancho Penasquitos | |
Poway | Scripps Ranch | |
Rancho Bernardo | ||
Descanso | Ramona | |
Julian | Santa Ysabel | |
Pine Valley | ||
Bonsall | Hidden Meadows | |
Escondido | Pauma Valley | |
Fallbrook | Valley Center | |
Carlsbad | Pacific Beach | |
Coronado | Point Loma | |
La Costa | San Ysidro | |
Mira Mesa | The City of San Diego | |
Otay Mesa | ||
Cardiff by the Sea | Oceanside | |
Carmel Valley | Rancho Santa Fe | |
Del Mar | San Marcos | |
Encinitas | Solana Beach | |
La Jolla | Vista | |
Alpine | Imperial Beach | |
Bonita | Jamul | |
Chula Vista | La Mesa | |
East Lake Chula Vista | Lakeside | |
El Cajon | Santee | |