7 replies to this topic

[sschind]

Hey all,

 

I'm joining them fun from the frozen wastelands of South Eastern Wisconsin.  I've bee looking with envy upon all the cool formicaria and though I have been interested in keeping ants for a while I have never tried it.  My nephews have done the Uncle Milton ant farms with the blue gel and it was cool as far as it went but I'd like to do something a little more elaborate. I would also like something a little more educational for a traveling invertebrate exhibit I am developing for an science presentation company.  I've got a ton of questions but I know there is a lot of information out there so i have my research cut out for me before I tale the easy (and sometimes irritating) step of simply asking for the answers.  I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions eventually.

 

Steve Schindler

[dspdrew]

Hey welcome to the forum.

[Anthony]

Their is a lot to learn but it is a lot of fun

[dspdrew]

Yeah, I learned everything I know about ants in just the last year, and learned most of it from reading forum posts.

[Zeiss]

Hey sschind!  Welcome to the forum!  Plenty to learn here.  This is my first year of anting as well.  Another forum you  can check out if not already is http://antfarm.yuku....ry#.Uvrp_PldXis .  I think they are both really helpful!  Good luck on catching a queen.

[Crystals]

Welcome.  You are not the only one in a frozen wasteland - I am in Alberta, Canada. 

 

The blue gel farms aren't good for a colony, but there are many good alternatives that you can make yourself, or buy.  Ytong, grout, firebrick, hydrostone, etc.  So many possibilities.

 

Think it is frustrating waiting for spring and the mating flights?  Wait until you have your queen and you are waiting for those eggs to become workers.    The first year requires the most patience.

There is a pinned post in this forum that will tell you when various ant species will fly.  Then you just have to narrow down which ones are in your area.

[Jake]

Welcome to the forum!

[nurbs]

Welcome aboard