106 replies to this topic

[Kujawaorchids]

I build these for any ants that don't like test tubes. Works very well and I can make them very quickly.

 

Little ant formicarium by Mikhail kujawa, on Flickr

 

Little ant formicarium by Mikhail kujawa, on Flickr

[piratechef]

where do you find those cups? I'm using something similar but with plaster until I can perfect my technique. I have some 4 oz cups I got from work but they are not as see through as those.

[Kujawaorchids]

Here are the cups I use.

[Lamarr]

I build these for any ants that don't like test tubes. Works very well and I can make them very quickly.

 

Little ant formicarium by Mikhail kujawa, on Flickr

 

Little ant formicarium by Mikhail kujawa, on Flickr

 

Could you tell us the steps you took to make that formicarium? I'm trying to create something similar.

[Kujawaorchids]

Yes, all I do is add a layer of Hydrostone to the bottom and then add a tube, then wait for that to dry. Then I add sand of your choice as the negative space, after that I add another tube into the sand and then I pour more hydrostone on top of the sand. Then after 20 mins I take the tube that is in the dirt out, it should just slid out. 

 

Here is another one I make, just freshly made.

More ant nests freshly made by Mikhail kujawa, on Flickr

More ant nests freshly made by Mikhail kujawa, on Flickr

[nick53588]

Just joined this forum and the Colorado Ant Keepers Facebook group.  I live in Highlands Ranch. I have had some pretty great success in Cheese Ranch. I have more Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis than I know what to do with (all have eggs minus 1), 4 tetramorium that should have workers soon and a couple Lasius Neoniger (I think). I did catch some Lasius Latipes but I don't have a host colony for them and they died almost immediately.  

If people ever want to go exploring on a weekend or evening I would be down.

[piratechef]

I'm a mod of that facebook group. Welcome man. Gonna be headed up to camp dick tomorrow for a all morning hike and hopefully fill my tubes with Formica been trying to make it to catch some honeypots before they stop flying also.

PS. good think you got a lot of Pogonomyrmex queens they have been a hard species to found for me. seems like they hate test tubes

[nick53588]

Last night I caught 4 Solenopsis Molesta. The air was just thick with them. Was just before sunset. Also saw a Lasius Latipes colony preparing for Nuptial Flight.

[Snipcod]

Hello all.  Pretty cool to finally find a place to talk and learn about Colorado anting. Could I also get on this email list? I think I may have missed the boat for the year, but would be good none the less.
I picked up two Pavement ant queens yesterday. Looking forward to this new challenge!

Also, I'm in lafayette so it looks like there are quite a few people up this way. 
 

Edited by Snipcod, July 30 2018 - 6:21 AM.

[JackieB]

Finally found a "M.mimicus" after doing a little research and also waiting for ever. Lol. (didn't we used to get those desert rain storms almost every day in July and August? Or am I imagining the past 30 or so summer's incorrectly?)
She was in a test tube, which she hated. So I made her a little hydrostone and dirt set up. It is not bad for a first go around, it's the Hyatt of dirt set ups. Moving her was the most stressful event of my life. She went right in found the hole I started for her and went to work. I gave her a little honey for energy. But man, I think it bothered me more than her.
Finally found a "M.mimicus" after doing a little research and also waiting for ever. Lol. (didn't we used to get those desert rain storms almost every day in July and August? Or am I imagining the past 30 or so summer's incorrectly?)
She was in a test tube, which she hated. So I made her a little hydrostone and dirt set up. It is not bad for a first go around, it's the Hyatt of dirt set ups. Moving her was the most stressful event of my life. She went right in found the hole I started for her and went to work. I gave her a little honey for energy. But man, I think it bothered me more than her.
Finally found a "M.mimicus" after doing a little research and also waiting for ever. Lol. (didn't we used to get those desert rain storms almost every day in July and August? Or am I imagining the past 30 or so summer's incorrectly?)
She was in a test tube, which she hated. So I made her a little hydrostone and dirt set up. It is not bad for a first go around, it's the Hyatt of dirt set ups. Moving her was the most stressful event of my life. She went right in found the hole I started for her and went to work. I gave her a little honey for energy. But man, I think it bothered me more than her.
Finally found a "M.mimicus" after doing a little research and also waiting for ever. Lol. (didn't we used to get those desert rain storms almost every day in July and August? Or am I imagining the past 30 or so summer's incorrectly?)
She was in a test tube, which she hated. So I made her a little hydrostone and dirt set up. It is not bad for a first go around, it's the Hyatt of dirt set ups. Moving her was the most stressful event of my life. She went right in found the hole I started for her and went to work. I gave her a little honey for energy. But man, I think it bothered me more than her.
My phone really messed up my previous post, sorry.

[Swinferret]

Hello fellow coloradans! Anyone anting in the denver/aurora area?

[nick53588]

I live in highlands ranch and work in aurora.

[Dethundrel]

Pogonomymex overload today in Grand Junction. Pretty big Solinopsis Molesta flight as well. Got dozens of each in a matter of minutes.

Edited by Dethundrel, August 23 2018 - 3:12 PM.

[smares]

Oh I'll keep an eye out! Thanks for the head up!

[PaxxMantid]

Hi all -

 

Just started out, here in Denver CO. I'm just doing a bit of research and buying a colony of lasius this weekend. Very exciting!

Is it 100% too late for any species to fly this year, or is it possible that there might be a late flight still? I'd love to get out there and give it a shot, if so

 

I am also interested in getting queens or colonies, as it seems like starting a few queens/colonies is only marginally harder than starting just 1. So, if anyone has anything to sell/trade i'd be interested! I checked with GAN but haven't heard back from the farmers yet - hopefully soon. 

 

thanks

[nick53588]

Hey PaxxMantid, are you on the Facebook group? I am pretty sure I saw you post there. Any who, there are a lot of us who have colonies for trade/sale in that group or will have a bunch soon (waiting for brood to turn to workers). I have a bunch of Pogonomyrmex Colonies that I am willing to get rid of. Waiting on some Lasius to found, but are probably 2-3 weeks away. 

[PaxxMantid]

Hey PaxxMantid, are you on the Facebook group? I am pretty sure I saw you post there. Any who, there are a lot of us who have colonies for trade/sale in that group or will have a bunch soon (waiting for brood to turn to workers). I have a bunch of Pogonomyrmex Colonies that I am willing to get rid of. Waiting on some Lasius to found, but are probably 2-3 weeks away. 

 

 

Yea I'm on there, too. Actually I met someone who is going to hook me up with a Lasius colony this weekend!

[PaxxMantid]

BTW, what's this mailing list I saw mentioned here? I am excited to go and collect some queens for the first time, but I think I missed the season this year. It would be awesome to find a way to get alerted when there is a a flight of any species - is that what goes on with the list? Can i join?

[Dethundrel]

It’s about time to start thinkin about the 2019 anting season. I’m curious if any of our fellow Colorado anters have a reliable place to find some Prenolepis imparis?

I am on the Western Slope, Grand Junction to be specific. I have never seen any of them around here or up in the mountains. I’m not sure if they are at my elevation or if I’ve just been unlucky.

I’m willing to travel or cover any costs for shipping and your time if anyone is able to get a hold of a decent amount of them, just let me know.

[smares]

Anyone found any queens yet this year?