“If ants are such busy workers, how come they find time to go to all the picnics?”
~ Marie Dressler, 1930 Oscar winner,
Depression era vaudeville trouper, stage and screen actor

Do people really spread out a red-and-white checkered tablecloth for a picnic? Maybe that was back in the “good ole summertime.” A wicker basket filled with fried chicken, deviled eggs, a thermos of lemonade and watermelon come to mind. The day is warmer than mild with a slight breeze. Often the event was a family affair or even a community one. It was almost inevitable, though: the arrival of uninvited guests. Humming the familiar Civil War marching song, “The ants go marching one by one, hurrah…hurrah…” they expected lunch.

Let the little pests march all they want, partake in a picnic, or even help themselves to a snack in the kitchen, but please stay out of the bedroom at night! Worse than a nightmare, I was awakened by the sensation of pinpricks on my arms. With a flip of a switch, I was horrified to find that the bed had become a main thoroughfare for an army of ants! A shower, clean sheets and a little spray saved us – for now.

According to entomologists, the fascination ants have with our homes is all about the weather. To escape cold and rain or the heat, in they come. Our local ones – Argentine ants – immigrated from South America in the 1880s. Unnoticed, they hopped aboard cargo ships transporting sugar. Their history and social behavior is beyond amazing. The similarities to human behavior are remarkable. Upon closer observation it was clear that we could learn a thing or two from them. Keep in mind that they are harmless (to humans) and are here to stay – welcomed or not!

Our forecast is dependent on the trajectory and remnants of Hurricane Hilary. Her leftovers may bring thunderstorms and showers to Los Angeles County into next week. Tomorrow (Friday) is expected to be the warmest of the next seven days. Overall the weather is typical summer fare with morning coastal fog and a slight chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms in the mountains and desert. Above average temperatures are in the forecast come next week. Hopefully ants don’t read the weather news.

Someone posted on a local FB page, “We’ve got skunks in our shed!” Well, we’ve got ants in our bed. I guess I should be grateful it wasn’t a skunk!
Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick