5 replies to this topic

[Lazarus]

With my ants in hibernation now and with anticipation of catching more Queens next spring, I've wondered if anyone has tried to capture smaller colonies (or queens seeking a place to found her colony) by placing habitable environments for them to find and move into?

If someone placed discretely hidden but accessible test tubes with cottoned water reservoirs would it be likely that a queen would find it after a nuptial flight and use it?

I figure I can find some small plastic box or enclosure and make a bunch that I can spread around in the spring and check up on them once in a while especially after nuptial flights. I'd also include a short length of tubing so that it would appear to be safer to use. If a piece of sponge is used for hydration and a part of the sponge is left exposed at the top, then it may even be self hydrating to a point.

Thoughts?

[Serafine]

If someone placed discretely hidden but accessible test tubes with cottoned water reservoirs would it be likely that a queen would find it after a nuptial flight and use it?

No. But a whole range of smaller arthropods like isopods, spiders, earwigs, beetles and the like will happily take it.

[AkumaArtist]

I've tried once
but ants will possibly die because of the change of enviroment

[123LordOfAnts123]

In most cases you’ll have little luck enticing native ants to nest in anything commonly used in the hobby. In reality, a test tube or plaster nest would be - for many species - an ants last choice for a cozy home. Some species, notably invasive ones, are much less picky when it comes to artificial quarters. I’ve had entire colonies of Tapinoma melanocephalum show up overnight in old socks left out in the yard by my dog.

You can, however, increase your chances of capturing founding queens/fledgling colonies by providing suitable habitat where you can. What attracts what species ultimately depends on the species itself and it’s life history. A founding queen of a ground nesting species may be attracted to patches of bare ground; results can be often be had on driveways/sidewalks/parking lots which while obviously artificial, mimic clearings and open ground where queens of some species may be enticed to land after mating. A brush pile, or strategically placed rotted logs, serve to attract species preferring to nest in cavities and cellulose material. Planters full of soil, bricks, pavers, and rocks placed in part sun will attract many species with a preference for nesting under objects that conduct heat during the day. Pools and standing water speak for themselves in effectiveness judging by the common occurrence of keepers finding their own queens within them.

I’ve worked hard in the past couple years to improve my 1/4th of an acre backyard to appeal to many creatures, ants being one of them. The diversity in species and density of colonies has already been enhanced dramatically.

[AntHUB]

don't forget that queens use reflective surfaces to navigate where they land. you can use a white or reflective surface and it may attract queens.

[Lazarus]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

A number of things I did not know or consider carefully. I may lay a few potential enticing habitats in the spring. What have I got to lose?