Purchasing ants online - Ask Extension
We are wondering what the laws are about purchasing an ant species from a website based in California. My son has been looking at a honeypot ant. We...
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Purchasing ants online #876408
Asked July 08, 2024, 6:12 PM EDT
We are wondering what the laws are about purchasing an ant species from a website based in California. My son has been looking at a honeypot ant. We do not want to get anything that could be invasive if it accidentally escapes.
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Cara,
Thanks for your question and for being mindful of problems that invasive species can cause.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has a list of insects and other invertebrates from elsewhere in the US that are allowed to be imported, bought, sold or possessed without applying for a permit. The only ants on this list are two species of harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex owyheei and P. salinus). Here is a link to the Oregon rules that contain the list of allowed invertebrates...
https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_<personal data hidden>
If you are interested in seeing if you can get a permit to buy and keep honeypot ants, you could check with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (Plant Programs), 635 Capitol Street N.E., Salem, OR 97301-2532,<personal data hidden>.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for your question and for being mindful of problems that invasive species can cause.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has a list of insects and other invertebrates from elsewhere in the US that are allowed to be imported, bought, sold or possessed without applying for a permit. The only ants on this list are two species of harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex owyheei and P. salinus). Here is a link to the Oregon rules that contain the list of allowed invertebrates...
https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_<personal data hidden>
If you are interested in seeing if you can get a permit to buy and keep honeypot ants, you could check with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (Plant Programs), 635 Capitol Street N.E., Salem, OR 97301-2532,<personal data hidden>.
Hope that helps!
