463 replies to this topic

[MrPurpleB]

Hello, you got some nice colonies for sale there. I am interested in purchasing a colony, which ones would you suggest are easy to maintain and take care of?

Edited by MrPurpleB, October 6 2017 - 1:28 PM.

[nurbs]

Just made some updates to the OP so that it is better sync'ed with the GAN page (they made some changes which makes listing easier for GAN farmers).

[YsTheAnt]

I noticed that all the gan farmers in NorCal disappeared. Anyone know why???

[nurbs]

I noticed that all the gan farmers in NorCal disappeared. Anyone know why???

 

They have a new portal for GAN farmers that makes listing easier for sellers, so we all had to re-input everything. Some of the Norcal GAN farmers just may not have gotten around to doing their re-listing, or maybe they could simply be sold out for the season. It usually happens around this time.

[nurbs]

Most GAN farmers know this, but if you're curious what the largest demographic of buyers are -  it's children ages 9-16.

 

They are usually boys with their dads or moms. The other month, however, I sold a colony to a pair of 9 year old twin girls. Their mom brought them, and they were so excited! They came running out of their van and also gave me these drawings. Brought out several species for them to choose, and they picked the largest queen with the largest colony: C. laevigatus. These girls have good taste.

 

Thought I'd share 

 

FRONT:

 

BACK!

[YsTheAnt]

Those ants seem to be in good hands 😂

[T.C.]

I'll bet this guy drew these himself, and for right now is just seeing people's general response before he claims it as his art work.

 

 

No, but seriously... that's awesome. Something about home made gifts I tell ya.

[nurbs]

I'll bet this guy drew these himself, and for right now is just seeing people's general response before he claims it as his art work.

 

 

No, but seriously... that's awesome. Something about home made gifts I tell ya.

 

 

sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[YsTheAnt]

Are you going to sell any acromyrmex colonies?

[nurbs]

Are you going to sell any acromyrmex colonies?

 

Not this season, possibly next. I do have a few going right now, but they just aren't doing as well as I'd like. 

 

Also, it is easier on my conscience knowing the species will do well if properly cared for instead of ones that might possibly die. I feel bad selling a kid $100 ants knowing that they might not make it in a month or two. The "post sales" tech support on regular species is already a lot of work, so imagine the "tech support" on a more difficult species such as A. versicolor.

 

And contrary to what some may think, selling ants is not lucrative. It pays for the hobby (especially gas and lodging when I go out anting every weekend in the Spring and Summer months), and also it's nice seeing excited kids and their parents come pickup their first colony. But it's just not lucrative. It's a lot of work! (takes 4-6 hours to feed)

 

During the Winter break, I've been thinking about designing some more advanced formicariums to house some of these species.

Edited by nurbs, October 29 2017 - 3:45 PM.

[nurbs]

Will most likely sell these next season though. Haven't in the past because Pheidole are really small and never had much success in rearing them, but this particular species of Pheidole are larger and seem to do well. Only collected one this year, but next year I'll grab a dozen or so.

 

[dspdrew]

"tech support"

 

 

 

It's a lot of work! (takes 4-6 hours to feed)

 

Uh yeah. And that's like once a week.

[nurbs]

 

It's a lot of work! (takes 4-6 hours to feed)

 

Uh yeah. And that's like once a week.

 

 

Exactly. 

[Derpy]

Got any Pogonomyrmex that you are rearing or getting ready to sell. Might drive down there during Christmas time to buy some colonies.

[nurbs]

Sold the last colony a few weeks ago, sorry. But have two species of Veromessors which are very similar to Pogonomyrmex. Check the listing under the GAN page.

 

California -> Los Angeles.

http://www.antscanad...-ants-for-sale/

 

If not, think Drew still has a few Pogonomyrmex left. Ask him.

[Flyingtouchdown]

Do u have any acromyrmex rn?

[Flyingtouchdown]

Do u have any acromyrmex rn?

[nurbs]

Do u have any acromyrmex rn?

 

Scroll up a few messages.

[nurbs]

Hopefully I'll find more next season guys. So many have asked about them, and I keep referring them to Drew.

 

[dspdrew]

I've been afraid to sell them because they kept dying off suddenly. The remaining colonies I have now seem to be doing pretty good though.