6 replies to this topic

[Adevi]

Hi, I live just south of Chicago in a suburb and I was just wondering what my options were for queens in my area, as well as when would be the best time to look. I've been looking for about a week or two now with no success. I'm also thinking about using a UV light tonight, would that be effective at all?

[Batspiderfish]

Only a couple of species are done flying for the year (Prenolepis imparis and maybe a few other elusive ants.) July is going to bring out a lot of queens -- keep looking!

Antweb has a collection from Illinois of 138 different species, so there's plenty of potential: https://www.antweb.o...nts&images=true

Edited by Batspiderfish, July 5 2016 - 5:44 PM.

[Mdrogun]

Hi, I live just south of Chicago in a suburb and I was just wondering what my options were for queens in my area, as well as when would be the best time to look. I've been looking for about a week or two now with no success. I'm also thinking about using a UV light tonight, would that be effective at all?

Hello, I live super close to you. finally someone near me!

I have found little success with UV lights, it costs more than it's worth. You have to sit outside with the UV light the whole time you are using it, otherwise you will miss the queens. I caught about 5 or 6 queens so far and I got my UV lights at the end of june. It has been getting really cold most nights and it's too cold for queens to fly. I haven't found any queens when it's below 70 and 80+ is a more optimal temperature. If you do get black lights make sure you turn them on before the sun sets. I find that right after sunset is when you will catch most, if not all of the queens. Your time would be best spent going on walks and keeping your eyes on the pavement. Tetramorium queens are everywhere this time of year.

[Adevi]

Only a couple of species are done flying for the year (Prenolepis imparis and maybe a few other elusive ants.) July is going to bring out a lot of queens -- keep looking!

Antweb has a collection from Illinois of 138 different species, so there's plenty of potential: https://www.antweb.o...nts&images=true

 

 

 

Hi, I live just south of Chicago in a suburb and I was just wondering what my options were for queens in my area, as well as when would be the best time to look. I've been looking for about a week or two now with no success. I'm also thinking about using a UV light tonight, would that be effective at all?

Hello, I live super close to you. finally someone near me!

I have found little success with UV lights, it costs more than it's worth. You have to sit outside with the UV light the whole time you are using it, otherwise you will miss the queens. I caught about 5 or 6 queens so far and I got my UV lights at the end of june. It has been getting really cold most nights and it's too cold for queens to fly. I haven't found any queens when it's below 70 and 80+ is a more optimal temperature. If you do get black lights make sure you turn them on before the sun sets. I find that right after sunset is when you will catch most, if not all of the queens. Your time would be best spent going on walks and keeping your eyes on the pavement. Tetramorium queens are everywhere this time of year.

 

Thank you both! I'm definitely going to check out that website and use the UV light, also there's a rain storm coming in pretty soon so maybe i'll find luck after its over. Do you guys have any other advice? (I need it all)  

[Mdrogun]

It  looks like UV lighting is a hit or miss, tonight there are tons of queens if you can deal with the thousands of nats, beetles and pretty much every other flying insect.

[Mdrogun]

Hi, I live just south of Chicago in a suburb and I was just wondering what my options were for queens in my area, as well as when would be the best time to look. I've been looking for about a week or two now with no success. I'm also thinking about using a UV light tonight, would that be effective at all?

You should add your location to the member map.

[Adevi]

Alright will do