36 replies to this topic

[tdlnx]

Hi all, I’m brand new to this hobby and I want to make sure I jump in correctly when I finally do so.

 

I’m planning on keeping pogonomyrmex occidentalis since they are by far the easiest to get ahold of and seem to be good for starting out. Would it be a good idea to maybe try keeping a collection of workers without a queen first until I feel more comfortable? I know the colony won’t grow (obviously) without a queen but I’d hate to accidentally kill a queen while I’m learning.

 

Also, a lot of the pre-build formicariums I’ve seen look very small is this normal? I may just be overestimating the room these ants actually need.

[Kaelwizard]

They need a small nest to start out and as the colony grows they need larger nests. If you want you can definitely start with some workers.

[tdlnx]

Ok perfect, that’s what I’ll do to start then. 

[Scherme]

Killing queens is all part of the experience. I understand not wanting to.

 

I know nothing of Pogonomyrmex. I think there is a large amount of people who keep them .

 

THA video guide for Pogonomyrmex here.

 

Search through these forums, I am sure there is plenty of info. 

 

Good luck and Welcome

[ANTdrew]

I think there are a lot easier species to start with than Pogonomyrmex, though they can be easily shipped.

[tdlnx]

I think there are a lot easier species to start with than Pogonomyrmex, though they can be easily shipped.

 

I’ve heard the same from a couple of other people, hopefully they aren’t *too* difficult. The main reason I chose them is because it’s easy to ship them from pretty much anywhere. That and I just think they look kind of cool 

 

I’ve been browsing the forums all day I’m very happy I found this place because all the information can be pretty overwhelming. I started by looking at ant farms and ended up falling waaaaaaaay down the rabbit hole.

[ANTdrew]

Haha, same thing happened to me a few years ago. Welcome to the rabbit hole!

I’d recommend shelling out extra for a larger colony to boost your chances of success. I think it’s worth it in this case.

Edited by ANTdrew, February 15 2021 - 10:22 AM.

[gs5248]

I agree with ANTdrew. For me, every time I receive ants in the mail, the larger colonies are the only ones that survive.

[MinigunL5]

Since nuptial flights are starting in a the Norther Hemisphere of areas I also suggest that you also try to catch queens.

[tdlnx]

Well I did it I ordered a starter colony and they should be here sometime soon. I ended up going with lasius niger after reading about them being super beginner friendly, here’s hoping I’m successful. I’ll be getting a queen and 10-15 workers so with any luck they'll settle in nicely. I’m sure this won’t be the last you hear from me around here.

Edited by tdlnx, February 16 2021 - 2:54 PM.

[Kaelwizard]

Well I did it I ordered a starter colony and they should be here sometime soon. I ended up going with lasius niger after reading about them being super beginner friendly, here’s hoping I’m successful. I’ll be getting a queen and 10-15 workers so with any luck they'll settle in nicely. I’m sure this won’t be the last you hear from me around here.

Lasius niger is European. You can't get them in Indiana. May I ask where you are purchasing them from? I'm guessing when they realize where you are from they will cancel it.

[gs5248]

Maybe it is Lasius neoniger?

[antsandmore]

 

Well I did it I ordered a starter colony and they should be here sometime soon. I ended up going with lasius niger after reading about them being super beginner friendly, here’s hoping I’m successful. I’ll be getting a queen and 10-15 workers so with any luck they'll settle in nicely. I’m sure this won’t be the last you hear from me around here.

Lasius niger is European. You can't get them in Indiana. May I ask where you are purchasing them from? I'm guessing when they realize where you are from they will cancel it.

 

Either that, or its a scam...

 

Well I did it I ordered a starter colony and they should be here sometime soon. I ended up going with lasius niger after reading about them being super beginner friendly, here’s hoping I’m successful. I’ll be getting a queen and 10-15 workers so with any luck they'll settle in nicely. I’m sure this won’t be the last you hear from me around here.

just remember that there are laws that you can't buy ants from outside of your state, and also research if that species actually exists in your state. this can help prevent any scams or mistakes in buying, and can also discourage illegal activity.

[gs5248]

If it does not work out, than you can either catch your own queen ant, or you could just buy from people here or formiculture, or the GAN project. Both of those allow you to buy from sellers in your state.

Edited by gs5248, February 16 2021 - 3:56 PM.

[ANTdrew]

May be one of those illegal sellers on Etsy or eBay.

[antsandmore]

May be one of those illegal sellers on Etsy or eBay.

yes I was also thinking that

[tdlnx]

Well crap it looks like I might have made a mistake then..

[tdlnx]

Yep I messed up, I didn’t realize what I was ordering. I’m going to cancel the order now and just wait.

[ANTdrew]

You're doing the right thing, and I commend you for it. If you wait a bit, nuptial flights will be here soon enough. I'd look into the GAN project and connect with members on here from your state. CatsandAnts is one member from Jasper, IN that could help you out, but he tends to hibernate from the forum during the winter.

[tdlnx]

Once this snow clears a little I may have to try to find a queen or two myself. It seems like that's pretty much the norm anyway so if I'm getting in to the hobby I might as well "get in" to it right?