143 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

Here my new set up. It's a 25watt bulb I got off Amazon screwed in a lamp:
 
 
 
I was just screwing this into the porch light, but this was exponentially more effective.

how do you keep the queens from leaving once they hit the sheet?

You pretty much have to keep a constant visual on the blacklight, or at least check it every 7-10 minutes. Queens like to hang around the blacklight for a little while before leaving, so usually this is enough time to find them. I just grab them by the wings, picking queens up with your hands isn’t as hard as people make it sound, it’s all I do.

[RushmoreAnts]

Here my new set up. It's a 25watt bulb I got off Amazon screwed in a lamp:
 
 
 
I was just screwing this into the porch light, but this was exponentially more effective.

how do you keep the queens from leaving once they hit the sheet?

You pretty much have to keep a constant visual on the blacklight, or at least check it every 7-10 minutes. Queens like to hang around the blacklight for a little while before leaving, so usually this is enough time to find them. I just grab them by the wings, picking queens up with your hands isn’t as hard as people make it sound, it’s all I do.

That’s how I pick up queens as well. The wings or thorax if they have already dropped them. It rarely injures them.

[Martialis]

I've used a mercury vapor reptile heat lamp for blacklighting. It works really well for attracting quite a bit. I've also read that ants are more attracted to such bulbs than UV blacklights. Maybe you could get one and compare your results using it versus the "traditional" model.

[CatsnAnts]

I've used a mercury vapor reptile heat lamp for blacklighting. It works really well for attracting quite a bit. I've also read that ants are more attracted to such bulbs than UV blacklights. Maybe you could get one and compare your results using it versus the "traditional" model.

It’s been a while since I talked to you last, nice to see you on this thread! I just looked at some of the mercury vapor bulbs, and they’re actually reasonably priced, but holy wow the wattage is high. I might buy one this summer just to test it out, but I’ve already spent so much on formicarium materials haha, whoops. I never considered the possibility that they might be better than a blacklight.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 23 2020 - 7:39 PM.

[rcbuggy88]

Which ones were reasonably priced? I know they are much better at attracting insects and much more powerful but all the ones I found were like 200 or 300 dollars?

[ANTdrew]

An Amazon search has several for $18. 175watts will surely attract queens!

[CatsnAnts]

An Amazon search has several for $18. 175watts will surely attract queens!

I use Amazon too! But first I need a lamp that can supply that kind of power.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 24 2020 - 9:34 AM.

[CatsnAnts]

I just wanted to share a really nice tip with any of you who may be interested in blacklighting, how to make a home-made blacklight! Here’s a picture of my homemade blacklight (the really bright one) with my purchased blacklight:

The home-made one has consistently attracted about 5x more bugs than the one I bought (queen season hasn’t started yet, so I can’t compare queen numbers). It’s really easy to make, just take some plastic-wrap and some dark blue and purple markers. First, color two of the plastic wrap sheets blue and tape them over a regular light source (such as a light bulb), and then do the same thing but with purple. It really does attract a good amount of insects.

It’s supposed to rain Saturday here, and I assume that’s when queens will start flying. The Pheidole nest near my house has been preparing for flight each night, but then decides to call it quits because it’s not favorable conditions... yet.

[CatsnAnts]

I also thought I’d share this neat stag beetle that I found, I haven’t seen one of these in forever:

[CatsnAnts]

I found loads of Pheidole bicarinata queens last night, as well as a suspiciously orange Pheidole queen who I presume is either a color variation of Pheidole bicarinata or is rather Pheidole morrisii! Surprisingly, not a single temnothorax queen showed up despite a couple showing up two nights ago.

[Aaron567]

I get massive color variation with bicarinata queens from dark brown to orange. Pheidole morrisii flies at sunrise and is at least twice as large.

[TechAnt]

Hey guys, I wanted to try and start blacklighting, but I dunno what is a good one to buy. Can anyone provide links for affordable yet effective black lights to buy? I’d prefer if they only need a battery to power it, as I plan on heading to different places to blacklight.

Also, I just wanted to clarify that blacklighting is essentially getting a blacklight and then covering it /putting the light on top of a kind of white sheet. Then ants (amongst other insects and such) will be attracted to it. Right?

Thanks in advance. Cheers!

Edited by TechAnt, June 28 2020 - 10:06 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

I get massive color variation with bicarinata queens from dark brown to orange. Pheidole morrisii flies at sunrise and is at least twice as large.

Thank you! That helps me out a lot! Now I actually know what to look for and when.

Edit: Would you mind being more specific for when you found them in the morning? Was it right before sunrise just as the sun was coming up? Or was it while it was still pitch black outside? I just kind of want to know since I’m looking for other morning-fliers as well, such as Forelius.

Hey guys, I wanted to try and start blacklighting, but I dunno what is a good one to buy. Can anyone provide links for affordable yet effective black lights to buy? I’d prefer if they only need a battery to power it, as I plan on heading to different places to blacklight.
Also, I just wanted to clarify that blacklighting is essentially getting a blacklight and then covering it /putting the light on top of a kind of white sheet. Then ants (amongst other insects and such) will be attracted to it. Right?
Thanks in advance. Cheers!

I bought a cheap 15 watt blacklight off of Amazon (needs outlet), but I also made a home-made blacklight that has attracted way more queens than the one I bought. I explained how to make it above, but yes, just put the blacklight on a white sheet and turn it on.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 28 2020 - 11:28 PM.

[ANTdrew]

https://www.amazon.c...ob_b_asin_title
TechAnt, this is a $10.99 bulb I got off Amazon.
It has been highly effective for me screwed into a normal lamp and set over a white sheet. You can see a picture of my set up I posted if you scroll up in this thread.

[ANTdrew]

I found loads of Pheidole bicarinata queens last night, as well as a suspiciously orange Pheidole queen who I presume is either a color variation of Pheidole bicarinata or is rather Pheidole morrisii! Surprisingly, not a single temnothorax queen showed up despite a couple showing up two nights ago.

Wow, man. I hope your Pheidole are successful. Are you trying anything different this year? My house is now 87-89 degrees because of an electrical issue that took out my AC. Again. I’m hoping that warmth will help them along.

[TechAnt]

https://www.amazon.c...ob_b_asin_title
TechAnt, this is a $10.99 bulb I got off Amazon.
It has been highly effective for me screwed into a normal lamp and set over a white sheet. You can see a picture of my set up I posted if you scroll up in this thread.

Thanks!

[Aaron567]

 

 

Thank you! That helps me out a lot! Now I actually know what to look for and when.

Edit: Would you mind being more specific for when you found them in the morning? Was it right before sunrise just as the sun was coming up? Or was it while it was still pitch black outside? I just kind of want to know since I’m looking for other morning-fliers as well, such as Forelius.

 

I've never found morrisii but I've heard from other people that they can be found mainly after the sun rises. They fly just barely too late in the morning for mated queens to be attracted to lights.

[rcbuggy88]

The most interesting thing I've found so far are these golden beetles, show up every night, still haven't seen anything other than a few Nylanderia vividula males. Anyone know what time of the day Formica fly?

Attached Images

• 

[ANTdrew]

The Formica around me fly in the early afternoon.

[Antkid12]

I got alot of those beetles yesterday.