18 replies to this topic

[AntsAreUs]

I think that we should all attempt next year to obtain a colony of argentine ants and do some experiments with them, they may one day ruin our hobby. 

[dermy]

I can't obtain them, since I believe they don't live here. But it would be cool to do some sort of contest with them. Much the same as the Tetramorium Contest that was held a few years back on Yuku?

[drtrmiller]

What kind of experiments?

[Gregory2455]

What kind of experiments?

Dish soap and decapitation like Alza does.

[AntsAreUs]

Like see if we can modify the pheremones of the queen and raise it and put it in the wild? It could do something.

[AntsAreUs]

Dish soap and decapitation like Alza does.

This seems perfectly fine too except this would kill them, I mean something with pheremones. I think I keep spelling pheremones wrong.

[Tpro4]

We need to make a way to turn Argentine ants against each other to protect the other nag soecies

[LAnt]

Sounds fun as long as they don't escape. Just the other week I could have caught some queens if i had my aspirator

[drtrmiller]

Just the other week I could have caught some queens if i had my aspirator

 

If you need an aspirator to catch queens, you're doing it wrong ;~)

[LAnt]

Its quite hard to catch argie queens and workers without an aspirator.

[Gregory2455]

It depends, this is Linepithema humile we are talking about, right?

[LAnt]

Yeah, its possible without, but it makes my life easier with one. Feel free to share your methods of capturing argentines.

[Gregory2455]

I have no methods, as Nylanderia vividula keep Linepithema humile out of Simi Valley. It is quite a miracle, but they are just unable to get in, as Nylanderia seem to have gotten too strong of a foothold instead. Nylanderia vividula, Solenopsis molesta, and Dorymyrmex insanus are all that live in the populated areas of Simi Valley.

[AntsAreUs]

So is this a idea we can make work?

[LAnt]

Would you consider your nylanderia a pest? Do they find a way into your house and take crickets from lizard tanks like argentines

Edited by LAnt, December 2 2014 - 6:35 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

I don't have problems with ants because winter takes care of that, but in the southern areas I would imagine you would have to like with them.

[LAnt]

So is this a idea we can make work?

Um if I can get them to live in captivity first

[Gregory2455]

Not really, they just don't like to share space with Argentine ants.

[Alza]

I have 30+ argentine ant queens, and none caught with aspiraters... Just flood a colony get a test tube and put them in. Always works