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Black light

Started By Unfrozen , Jul 8 2019 8:12 PM

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#1 Offline Unfrozen - Posted July 8 2019 - 8:12 PM

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How would I use a blacklight to find queens

#2 Offline Pumpkin_Loves_Ants - Posted July 8 2019 - 8:40 PM

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A very simple way is to put a white tarp or sheet on a wall and have the blacklight sitting on a chair or tilted up if your light can onto the sheet. Checking on it every 15-20 minutes is a good idea. You can set it up at night and at sunrise as well. You can probably go to Home Depot or Menards to find a simple blacklight or Amazon has a wide variety as well. You can buy a decent one for 20$. There are a few more complex guides on building a more thought out trap. 


Edited by Pumpkin_Loves_Ants, July 8 2019 - 8:59 PM.

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Lasius Neoniger (Around 23ish workers)

Tetramorium Immigran (8 Workers)

Myrmica Queen (Not 100% on species)

Formica Subsericea (No workers)

#3 Offline camponotuskeeper - Posted July 9 2019 - 8:30 AM

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How many watts for a blacklight would be recommended

#4 Offline CatsnAnts - Posted July 9 2019 - 2:47 PM

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How many watts for a blacklight would be recommended


I have a 15 watt blacklight, which works well enough for me, but is probably the lowest wattage you could go. The more wattage the better.
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#5 Offline camponotuskeeper - Posted July 9 2019 - 3:06 PM

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Thanks for the advice I plan on trying blacklight soon

#6 Offline Manitobant - Posted July 9 2019 - 4:58 PM

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I would also maybe look into getting a mercury vapor bulb if you really want to go hardcore. You can find one of these at a local pet store for heating reptiles although it’s quite expensive. Definitely worthwhile though as when you combine one of these bad boys with a blacklight you can get incredible results.
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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#7 Offline camponotuskeeper - Posted July 9 2019 - 5:03 PM

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Interesting I hope to have success and catch more and different queens
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