15 replies to this topic

[StopSpazzing]

Proposing that this spring/summer, anyone who has time, get together and we drive out to desert/regional park,etc to go anting together in an effort to teach everyone proper ant finding and queen catching techniques. I may be able to provide a vehicle and pickup a few people who don't have cars (can meet at a nearby gas station or starbucks, etc). Probing waters here as there is no guarantee as of this moment. I am newer to ant keeping so I can't be a teacher. Who knows, maybe we will all come back with queens?

 

Let me know if anyone else who has been here longer is up for it, including suggestions.

[dspdrew]

This is pretty much what already happens every year in Southern California, only you want to stay away from parks. I always try to let everyone know when and where we are going on my anting thread. It's just not always planned that far in advance, since we go to collect queens, which usually only happens during specific weather events.

[TroysCorner]

I’d love to!

[KBant]

Down

[nurbs]

 At the start of every season, someone always makes a post like this. Just follow Drew's thread since you are in CA. If you live in other states and there's no "anting mission" thread, make one!

 

Just to add to what Drew said, you can't plan too far ahead. A week at most. It's all dependent on the weather. And during the monsoon season you're literally watching the Doppler radar 24/7 on a day-by-day basis, anticipating a storm and flash flood to form over a spot you know that has interesting species, in hopes that it rains there long enough to soak the ground and trigger flights. It's a huge hit and miss game.

 

Last year, we were literally were staring at that Doppler every single day during the Summer months, sometimes getting excited over an intense storm that forms within minutes and then watching it fizz out like a lame fart instead.

[T.C.]

Here I am, knowing only one other person that wants to go anting in my whole state, and he happens to be underage. Wisconsin sucks, just so everyone knows.

[nurbs]

Here I am, knowing only one other person that wants to go anting in my whole state, and he happens to be underage. Wisconsin sucks, just so everyone knows.

 

 

Was going to give a snarky "at least you have Solenopsis?", but then I looked just to be sure and you don't even have that     

 

https://www.antweb.o...e=United States

[T.C.]

 

Here I am, knowing only one other person that wants to go anting in my whole state, and he happens to be underage. Wisconsin sucks, just so everyone knows.

 

 

Was going to give a snarky "at least you have Solenopsis?", but then I looked just to be sure and you don't even have that     

 

https://www.antweb.o...e=United States

 

We have Selenopsis molesta.

[nurbs]

 

 

Here I am, knowing only one other person that wants to go anting in my whole state, and he happens to be underage. Wisconsin sucks, just so everyone knows.

 

 

Was going to give a snarky "at least you have Solenopsis?", but then I looked just to be sure and you don't even have that     

 

https://www.antweb.o...e=United States

 

We have Selenopsis molesta.

 

 

Psh don't believe you. We all know that googling and wikipedia everything automagically makes us an expert on all subjects without ever having to experience or see things firsthand and everything on the Internet is correct. I've also never been to Wisconsin but according to antweb there's no Solenopsis. So there. 

[T.C.]

 

 

 

Here I am, knowing only one other person that wants to go anting in my whole state, and he happens to be underage. Wisconsin sucks, just so everyone knows.

 

 

Was going to give a snarky "at least you have Solenopsis?", but then I looked just to be sure and you don't even have that     

 

https://www.antweb.o...e=United States

 

We have Selenopsis molesta.

 

 

Psh don't believe you. We all know that googling and wikipedia everything automagically makes us an expert on all subjects without ever having to experience or see things firsthand and everything on the Internet is correct. I've also never been to Wisconsin but according to antweb there's no Solenopsis. So there. 

 

Yeah, I'm almost positive that's what it was. Then yet again, this is the same guy who thought Formica sp was Lasius niger.  And unless your coming for fresh air or snow, I wouldn't recommend it. However, everyone knows Californians could use some of that fresh air.

[anttics]

it's hard to plan. as it's said here. it all depends on the rain. these past January rains. I went to Vasquez rocks a week after it rain, and found a few founding chambers. dig 2 and founding chambers found nothing. it's harder than it seems. from what I read. 2 days after it rains it gets harder to get the queens as it dries, and they dig dipper. you can plan trips in a 2 to 3 day window. very difficult. still if any one does plan post it up. I would like to learn a few tricks to get queens.

[Scrixx]

it's hard to plan. as it's said here. it all depends on the rain. these past January rains. I went to Vasquez rocks a week after it rain, and found a few founding chambers. dig 2 and founding chambers found nothing. it's harder than it seems. from what I read. 2 days after it rains it gets harder to get the queens as it dries, and they dig dipper. you can plan trips in a 2 to 3 day window. very difficult. still if any one does plan post it up. I would like to learn a few tricks to get queens.

 

Yep those queens dig deep and fast. I went anting a day after to the same place Drew went and I caught 3 Myrmecocystus ants that were about a foot deep.

[StopSpazzing]

Well, I'm going tonight (5pm) to Chaney Trail, since the heatwave we are having may bring out the Camponotus. Anyone want to join me?

[Jadeninja9]

I wish there could be an ant team in the Bay Area lol

[nurbs]

There are a handful of very experienced antkeepers up North, but they don't post on here. All of them are adults. 

[Jadeninja9]

There are a handful of very experienced antkeepers up North, but they don't post on here. All of them are adults.

Dang