The Bay Area Ant Survey is a citizen science program that involves the public in Academy research by helping us obtain baseline data for ants living in local counties. Major goals include:

• Documenting the ant diversity of the Bay Area
• Mapping the spread of invasive ants, including the problematic Argentine ant
• Creating a permanent collection of ant species for scientific research and teaching
• Allowing the community to experience scientific discovery firsthand

1. Pick up a free collecting kit from the Naturalist Center inside the California Academy of Sciences. You can also download a spare data sheet here.

2. Look for ants anywhere you can think of – in your backyard, on a hiking trail, in your school yard. If it’s cold outside, ants might remain in their nests, so sunny days work best.

3. If you can’t find any ants, try setting out bait. Ants love honey, tuna, or cookies (try Pecan Sandies!). Check back in an hour or so.

4. Collect ants gently, perhaps using a leaf. Try to get at least 5 ants from a single collection site into the vial of ethanol. This liquid preserves the bodies.

5. Fill out a data sheet for each unique collection site. Be accurate and thorough, as this data will be used for scientific research. You can attach a map of your survey site if you’d like.

6. Drop off your data sheet and ant-filled vial at the Naturalist Center, or go ahead and mail these items using a padded envelope to:

ATTN: Bay Area Ant Survey
Naturalist Center
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA, 94118

Each month, we identify, database, and provide housing for the new ant specimens. We then upload the data to AntWeb for public viewing. If you remember to provide your email address on your data sheet, we’ll send you a note with a link to the record you contributed!

Can’t find your record on AntWeb? Perform an Advanced Search limiting the Collection Method to “BAAS” and scroll down the list. Please note that the collector’s name is an important element of any record, and as such, will be displayed online in abbreviated form.

Key Statistics

Distribution Maps

Datasheet & Identification

Activities & Resources

Identify Your Ants in the
Naturalist Center

Other Academy Projects