Anybody in LongBeach keep ants? Or anybody else

[Sparky]

I need help catching a queen ant I've been at it for 3 years

Please if you live around me, I need help.

I've got some S. xlyoni I think thats what you call them. They're fire ants. I never had luck with catching a real queen just some workers and a couple of winged one.

Anyone out there that can help me out?

 

[robo mantis]

Best way to get queens is in the fall when all of the winged ones mate (queens and drones). Then just catch a newly mated queen. I plan on doing this also.

 

[Asa]

I'm sorry buddy. I have worked with ants extensively, and the difficulty of finding a Queen ant is staggering. We literally had to dig out the entire colony, about 4 feet deep, and still the Queen was deeper. The only way you might catch them is in mating season.

 

[robo mantis]

Like is stated above :wink:

 

[Asa]

Like is stated above :wink:

He did a double post and it went to both posts.

 

[colddigger]

do want to destroy the nest along with the capture?

if so then just slowly drown her out with a hose, make it slow enough for the colony to evacuate and then catch her when she comes out.

 

[robo mantis]

hows that supposed to work?

 

[Asa]

do want to destroy the nest along with the capture?if so then just slowly drown her out with a hose, make it slow enough for the colony to evacuate and then catch her when she comes out.

The water would never sink down far enough. The queen ant has 'bodyguards' who lead her out passageways down to 8 feet :shock:

 

[colddigger]

maybe putting some spikes into the ground to boost water seepage or somthing, i catch them easily enough, although they probably do really badly up here, or i'm catching something different...but my question is why are you wanting FIREants? how about a nice bullet ant instead? or a driver ant nest? bulldog ants are real nice!

 

[Asa]

You're probably near a mating area.

 

[Sparky]

cuz i live near fire ants.......

and they are in cracks in the cement. I could try to flood them out, these ants dont dig that deep.

 

[robo mantis]

Wait till mating then catch a queen its better. You will get soldier ants all over you.

 

[Sparky]

yay I got a queen ant! I made a claustral cell out of napkins and a CD case. Anyone know how long it'll take for her to lay eggs?

It's been 2 days now.

 

[robo mantis]

Hold up how you get the queen?

 

[Asa]

yay I got a queen ant! I made a claustral cell out of napkins and a CD case. Anyone know how long it'll take for her to lay eggs?It's been 2 days now.

Then I doubt it's a queen.

 

[robo mantis]

No he did get one we are talking over AIM and he sent a pic.

 

[Asa]

Really? If it is winged it does not necessarily mean that it is a queen. It has to mate to produce offspring.

 

[robo mantis]

It lost 1 wing and he broke off the other.

 

[colddigger]

well, if it was a flier then he should catch more wingless, put them each into seperate jars of dirt and wait...