4 replies to this topic

[Jack22]

Hi I’m Jack from UK ,
and started ant keeping 1 month ago ,I have a lasius Niger colony and a messor barborous colony . Out of interest has anyone found that once you have started keeping ants , that wild ants and queens seem to be drawn to your house ? In the past 2 weeks have had 4 queens arrive inside. We’re as have never seen a single one before . Every time frantically checking my setups to see if any have escaped lol

[Virginian_ants]

Yes, a while ago my cat found a Pheidole queen on the second floor. A Colobopsis queen drowned in my monomorium minimum water moat and welcome to Formiculture!

Edited by Virginian_ants, August 2 2023 - 10:45 AM.

[Ernteameise]

I was reading on my balcony the other day at night with a lamp.

I ended up with a Lasius niger orgy in my face.

[ANTdrew]

Welcome!
I think it may be more a question of widening your observation skills. Ants are really easy to ignore if you aren’t interested. I spent about 35 years of my life doing just that.

[rptraut]

I've found two Camponotus queens at different times, right beside by large colony setup in my greenhouse.  Before that colony was there, I never found one, and the queens I've found for the past two years simply came to me in my workshop as I toil away at night.  Whether they're attracted by the lights or my other ant colonies I don't know, but last year I decided I would let the queens come to me, instead of me searching for them.  Last year I got three Camponotus queens and one Tetramorium queen, this year I've found three Camponotus queens.  More than enough queens to keep me happy, considering the other colonies I have.  I usually find them just walking across the floor.   My dog usually spots them first and then it's a race to get the queen before he eats it!