Nest movements of ants were studied at 2 forest locations in Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia [USA]. Nests were originally located by tuna fish baiting and rechecked after 11-21 days by baiting or direct examination of the nest site. Of 82 colonies, mostly Aphaenogaster rudis Emery and Tapinoma sessile (Say), 61% had moved within 21 days. There were no significant differences in rate of movement due to date (June and Aug.), location, or species. The mean residence time was 23 days. This phenomenon of frequent nest movement may be widespread since A. rudis and T. sessile have different behavior and different nest sites. These movements may result from competition for food and physical deterioration of the nest site. Escape from predators and parasites may also be important. Frequent colony movement has important implications for the role of ants in pedogenesis, the ant-mediated dispersal of diaspores of spring herbs, and the spatial patterning of the litter community that results from ant nests.