52 replies to this topic

[AntPhycho]

I know I am far away from this point, but I would just like to know how would I control the size of my colonies. The solenopsis invicta colonies are the ones I am most worried about, I know they multiply and I don't have enough room to expand their original area. I need them to stay content with 2 Rubbermaid containers. I have heard of the temperature being lowered but I do not have control of just my ant room I would have to change my whole house temperature which I am not willing to do. Anyone know any other ways?

[Zeiss]

You can not feed them as often.  Limiting food supply limits how many workers a colony can produce.  

 

I do recommend not keeping Solenopsis invicta and instead killing them off, especially if you live in the U.S., we don't need people keeping invasive ants.  

[AntPhycho]

Thanks for the information, also they are native now there are to many and people keeping a colony isn't gonna effect anything, if anything they will evolve our native ants and make them stronger.

[Zeiss]

Thanks for the information, also they are native now there are to many and people keeping a colony isn't gonna effect anything, if anything they will evolve our native ants and make them stronger.

They have not been nativized, the government is still working on getting rid of them.  In some states it is illegal to do anything with them.  They aren't going to evolve anything.  I'm not going to argue with a new person in the hobby on how wrong it is to keep invasive pests like these, I have done that enough over the years of being on this forum.  

 

You're welcome for the information. 

[AntPhycho]

I don't understand what your problem is, I am keeping one colony of solenopsis invicta, the owner of this forum keeps them himself, and many others. Also I am never releasing my colony, they are never going into the wild, they will die in my custody. If anything I depleted one colony from being in nature. Also don't assume what your not sure about, like "I am new at the hobby" Mr. Expert.

[Serafine]

Solenopsis invicta are born escapists and limiting food will only encourage them in their thrive to break out. They have a ridiculous growth rate (up to 11000 eggs per week) and if you can't give them the space they require you really shouldn't try to keep them. There are other ants with far less demands in terms of space and food (an adult RIFA colony can eat a full can of dog food per day).

And yes, they are a major pest, they do not evolve anything - they hunt, eradicate and replace native species. There's areas in southeast US where invicta is pretty much the only ant species left. They are not a good species to keep, especially for beginners. They are easy to raise but hard to keep, hard to contain and when they break out can cause a significant threat to children and pets.

Edited by Serafine, September 9 2017 - 12:52 AM.

[Barristan]

I'm normally against artificially maintaining colony size but with some ant species you won't have any other chance if you want to keep them for some time. You can remove (kill) workers. If the colony is large enough it won't harm it. A lot of the people who keep leaf cutter ants, do that, however almost no one likes to speak about it publicly.

[AntPhycho]

Ok thank you guys, and I think I will be able to handle an adult RIFA colony, I will try limiting their food when the time comes. Also even if the wanted to escape I doubt it because you know, Rubbermaid containers are pretty much air tight, but still thank you for the warning. I may also try carnivores plants like the Venus fly trap. Oh, yes and the extreme growth and aggression of an adult RIFA colony are both of the reasons I wanted to keep them, they are a nice challenge, I think if I can care for RIFA I can take care of any ant.

Edited by AntPhycho, September 9 2017 - 8:35 AM.

[gcsnelling]

Uhh, ok.

[AntPhycho]

Uhh, ok.

I know it is a bit bizarre I like these ants but we all have different likes.

[FeedTheAnts]

 

I do recommend not keeping Solenopsis invicta and instead killing them off, especially if you live in the U.S., we don't need people keeping invasive ants.  

It's not like he's necessarily going to release them.

[AntPhycho]

I do recommend not keeping Solenopsis invicta and instead killing them off, especially if you live in the U.S., we don't need people keeping invasive ants.

It's not like he's necessarily going to release them.

That is my exact point lol.

[Zeiss]

 

 

I do recommend not keeping Solenopsis invicta and instead killing them off, especially if you live in the U.S., we don't need people keeping invasive ants.

It's not like he's necessarily going to release them.

That is my exact point lol.

 

Serafine could not have said it any better. 

My problem is the fact that people are keeping highly invasive, highly pest-like, extremely hardy ants (like Solenopsis invicta as well as Linepithema humile) that can harm the ecosystem around them. They demolish all other ant species around them. 

Accidents are always prone to happening, you never know if they will escape or not, no matter how hard you try.  

 

 

 

Apologies for hijacking this topic, I get carried away in discussions like these.  If you wish to continue our debate, feel free to PM me.  

Edited by Zeiss, September 9 2017 - 12:28 PM.

[dspdrew]

I don't understand what your problem is, I am keeping one colony of solenopsis invicta, the owner of this forum keeps them himself, and many others.

 

I don't keep these. I find them boring. Apparently it's also illegal in California.

[FeedTheAnts]

 

I don't understand what your problem is, I am keeping one colony of solenopsis invicta, the owner of this forum keeps them himself, and many others.

 

I don't keep these. I find them boring. Apparently it's also illegal in California.

 

You find fire ants boring!

[FeedTheAnts]

 

 

 

I do recommend not keeping Solenopsis invicta and instead killing them off, especially if you live in the U.S., we don't need people keeping invasive ants.

It's not like he's necessarily going to release them.

That is my exact point lol.

 

Serafine could not have said it any better. 

My problem is the fact that people are keeping highly invasive, highly pest-like, extremely hardy ants (like Solenopsis invicta as well as Linepithema humile) that can harm the ecosystem around them. They demolish all other ant species around them. 

Accidents are always prone to happening, you never know if they will escape or not, no matter how hard you try.  

 

 

 

Apologies for hijacking this topic, I get carried away in discussions like these.  If you wish to continue our debate, feel free to PM me.  

 

Good point, there is a pretty good chance that could happen, especially if we are talking about RIFA. Sorry if I sounded kinda snarky in my post.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, September 9 2017 - 5:42 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

 You can remove (kill) workers. If the colony is large enough it won't harm it. A lot of the people who keep leaf cutter ants, do that, however almost no one likes to speak about it publicly.

What, people actually do that! Seems like a lot of work lol!

[Zeiss]

 

 You can remove (kill) workers. If the colony is large enough it won't harm it. A lot of the people who keep leaf cutter ants, do that, however almost no one likes to speak about it publicly.

What, people actually do that! Seems like a lot of work lol!

 

Yes, killing leaf cutter ants to maintain a colony is a very effective way at keeping the population down.  Leaf cutter ant colonies get massive and have tons of fungus chambers.  

[FeedTheAnts]

 

 

 You can remove (kill) workers. If the colony is large enough it won't harm it. A lot of the people who keep leaf cutter ants, do that, however almost no one likes to speak about it publicly.

What, people actually do that! Seems like a lot of work lol!

 

Yes, killing leaf cutter ants to maintain a colony is a very effective way at keeping the population down.  Leaf cutter ant colonies get massive and have tons of fungus chambers.  

 

How do you do that? with your hands? Just randomly squashing workers?!

[Zeiss]

 

 

 

 You can remove (kill) workers. If the colony is large enough it won't harm it. A lot of the people who keep leaf cutter ants, do that, however almost no one likes to speak about it publicly.

What, people actually do that! Seems like a lot of work lol!

 

Yes, killing leaf cutter ants to maintain a colony is a very effective way at keeping the population down.  Leaf cutter ant colonies get massive and have tons of fungus chambers.  

 

How do you do that? with your hands? Just randomly squashing workers?!

 

Remove fungus and workers at the same time.