35 replies to this topic

[lsilverwoman]

Hi, I live in Northern California where Argentine ants are everywhere, including my... home. I thought I might as well try and capture a queen to watch them instead of just trying to kill them (which has mostly been in vain). But I can't find anyone who has kept these ants for tips. I looked at the Ants Census forum as well. 
Thanks for any advice!

[ZTYguy]

You can ask at Zaint. He sells them. Good luck trying to catch all the queens. *cough*  there are probably hundreds  *cough*

[Swirlysnowflake]

lsilverwoman, on 18 Nov 2020 - 03:43 AM, said:

Hi, I live in Northern California where Argentine ants are everywhere, including my... home. I thought I might as well try and capture a queen to watch them instead of just trying to kill them (which has mostly been in vain). But I can't find anyone who has kept these ants for tips. I looked at the Ants Census forum as well. 
Thanks for any advice!

People just don't like them.

They are an invasive species whose colonies grow ridiculously fast, and they are the best escape artists. You’ll need the most secure formicarium to hold these guys, because if they escape that will affect the ecosystem adversely.

I actually only *used to* wanted these to feed my blind snake, but he died

 

Edit: This is just answering your title hehe

Edited by Swirlysnowflake, November 17 2020 - 7:52 PM.

[M_Ants]

Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

[lsilverwoman]

Swirlysnowflake, on 18 Nov 2020 - 03:47 AM, said:

 

lsilverwoman, on 18 Nov 2020 - 03:43 AM, said:

Hi, I live in Northern California where Argentine ants are everywhere, including my... home. I thought I might as well try and capture a queen to watch them instead of just trying to kill them (which has mostly been in vain). But I can't find anyone who has kept these ants for tips. I looked at the Ants Census forum as well. 
Thanks for any advice!

People just don't like them.

They are an invasive species whose colonies grow ridiculously fast, and they are the best escape artists. You’ll need the most secure formicarium to hold these guys, because if they escape that will affect the ecosystem adversely.

I actually only *used to* wanted these to feed my blind snake, but he died

 

Edit: This is just answering your title hehe

 

OH no, I'm sorry your snake died. I used to have a rosy boa that I loved... fed him frozen mice though. 

[lsilverwoman]

M_Ants, on 18 Nov 2020 - 03:50 AM, said:

Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

Which species should I get? And where can I get it? 

[ZTYguy]

This would be a good time to say put your location in your profile and get any ants listed from the topic I posted LF good beginner species.

[M_Ants]

Lot's of people including me in CA sell/ship ants. Just look on the marketplace on make a Looking For post. I recommend an easy sp. like Crematogaster, Camponotus, or some sort of harvesters. 

Edited by M_Ants, November 17 2020 - 8:17 PM.

[ZTYguy]

So basically Camponotus or Harvesters

[M_Ants]

Pheidole are good too. 

[Zeiss]

Linepithema humile is a very invasive species with supercolonies around the entire world.  They are better off being killed.  I find Terro liquid bait and their ant spray works well against them in SoCal.  If you do end up keeping them, make sure they're in containers that are lined with Fluon (best insect barrier) at the top to make sure they don't get out.  

 

If you're wanting to buy some ants, put your location in your profile information (forum rules) and only buy from people within CA (since you said you're from NorCal), otherwise it would be illegal without proper permits.  One of the best starter ants is Camponotus fragilis for their hardiness, no hibernation needed, and how quickly they can grow given that their basic needs are met.

Edited by Zeiss, November 17 2020 - 8:24 PM.

[Swirlysnowflake]

just curious are prenolepis imparis considered a beginners species, i might be selling my colony sometime

[Vendayn]

I don't think it has to do with their invasiveness like people say. Or ants like pheidole megacephala, solenopsis invicta, even monomorium pharaonis as some examples (lots of non-native/exotic ants around that people love to keep) wouldn't be so popular.

 

It more has to do with how boring they are. The most boring ant could ever be cursed with. Even if lived where they are native, they'd still be the most boring ant in the world. There isn't a single ant that is nearly as boring as Argentine ants are. And on top of how boring they are, they are also super hard to keep...so combine the two...

Edited by Vendayn, November 17 2020 - 10:24 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Swirlysnowflake, on 18 Nov 2020 - 04:57 AM, said:

just curious are prenolepis imparis considered a beginners species, i might be selling my colony sometime

I’ve never seen anyone get to more than a few workers with these. They do not adapt well to captivity for some reason. One of the hardest species around.

[MinigunL5]

ANTdrew, on 18 Nov 2020 - 11:28 AM, said:

 

Swirlysnowflake, on 18 Nov 2020 - 04:57 AM, said:

just curious are prenolepis imparis considered a beginners species, i might be selling my colony sometime

I’ve never seen anyone get to more than a few workers with these. They do not adapt well to captivity for some reason. One of the hardest species around.

 

AntsAustralia has a massive colony of them. I will link the videos below.

https://www.youtube....h?v=LJyusL5LaxE

https://www.youtube....h?v=d1jhQ5OwerE

[Antkeeper01]

lsilverwoman, on 18 Nov 2020 - 04:09 AM, said:

 

M_Ants, on 18 Nov 2020 - 03:50 AM, said:

Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

Which species should I get? And where can I get it? 

 

Tetramorium they are the only sp that i got workers sadly they all died.

[Ants_Dakota]

lsilverwoman, on 18 Nov 2020 - 04:09 AM, said:

 

M_Ants, on 18 Nov 2020 - 03:50 AM, said:

Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

Which species should I get? And where can I get it? 

 

i pm'd you a list of some of the best. let me know if you want any more!

[Antkeeper01]

or buy some pogonomyrmex occidentalis.