842 replies to this topic

[rcbuggy88]

no prob, if you have any extras, i'll take them lol 

[Vern530]

Does any one know if imparis is polygenous???

[YsTheAnt]

Does any one know if imparis is polygenous???

Yes, they are.

Edited by YsTheAnt, February 13 2020 - 2:13 PM.

[miksha]

Is it possible to find formica fusca soon? I really want to find some and get a colony started

[YsTheAnt]

Is it possible to find formica fusca soon? I really want to find some and get a colony started

In a few months time! Formica start flying around May-June in the bay.

[Vern530]

when you guys are collecting imparis queens?what is the time of day temp,and are you guys finding them on ground or on plants and trees?i read somewhere you will find them gathered on  trees after mating..???

[YsTheAnt]

when you guys are collecting imparis queens?what is the time of day temp,and are you guys finding them on ground or on plants and trees?i read somewhere you will find them gathered on trees after mating..???

In past seasons, I have found dozens upon dozens of queens on warm days, at least high sixties but preferably in the eighties. Clouds of males start forming around noon, and mating continues into the afternoon and evening.

I collect most of my queens right under the mating clouds, which often occur around trees or poles. I find queens with males swarming them usually on the ground underneath these swarms. My best location for these is at the edge of a forest, at a small parking lot. The queens stand out quite well against the pavement, so I don’t look on trees as under the swarms there are tons of queens on the ground. Oak forest edges work well for finding these guys.

Good luck anting!

[Josh.Antlover]

Where are the places to go anting? Like somewhere in SF or near SF...I need some name of places

[YsTheAnt]

Where are the places to go anting? Like somewhere in SF or near SF...I need some name of places

The first post on this thread has some great anting locations. Check those out next time it is warm and hopefully will find something!

[Josh.Antlover]

The closes location to me is Walnut Creek, but can a person collect ants in a state park or is that only for like natural preserves but it’s mount Diablo. Can someone explain pls

[YsTheAnt]

The closes location to me is Walnut Creek, but can a person collect ants in a state park or is that only for like natural preserves but it’s mount Diablo. Can someone explain pls

A quick search for these parks’ websites will give you all those answers.

[Josh.Antlover]

The closes location to me is Walnut Creek, but can a person collect ants in a state park or is that only for like natural preserves but it’s mount Diablo. Can someone explain pls

A quick search for these parks’ websites will give you all those answers.

Thank you

[antwall]

Prenolepis flying the next few days!

[Josh.Antlover]

Prenolepis flying the next few days!

Where?

[antwall]

Wherever there are prenolepis!

[YsTheAnt]

I caught some a few days ago, but it appears that their flights have started to slow down. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next week or so are their last flights for the season.

On a brighter note, Camponotus have started flying .

[PaxxMantid]

Hi all - I am. a relatively new antkeeper, and am now living in Sonoma County. I live next to a giant wetland area in Petaluma, which seems like it would be productive! Does anyone have any tips about when to go hunting, where, etc? There hasn't been much rain, but some warm days around here. I am trying to get my head around how to know when to go search for ants!

[Thunder_Birds]

Hello! Well, let’s see here...right now isn’t a great time to get queen ants, but in the next few months will be a good time. Most of the time you find queen ants in open areas, but woods are good places to find queen ants. I recommend to have some small containers when your queen ant hunting.
To be honest I am pretty new to ant keeping too, and I don’t live in your area  sorry about that. Anything else that would be helpful? 

Edited by Thunder_Birds, March 10 2020 - 1:37 PM.

[PaxxMantid]

Hello! Well, let’s see here...right now isn’t a great time to get queen ants, but in the next few months will be a good time. Most of the time you find queen ants in open areas, but woods are good places to find queen ants. I recommend to have some small containers when your queen ant hunting. Anything else that would be helpful?

 

Hi - thanks for that! I live close to a big, open area with lots of water so I'm optimistic. What I'm hoping to learn is, WHEN to go out hunting for ants? For example, I know that it's good to go after a rain - but are there any other tips? Would it be possible to learn what kind of ants might be in this general area, and then learn more about when they might fly? I'm also trying to figure out if day or night is better, etc. 

[RushmoreAnts]

It’s easier to see queens on paved surfaces. As for local ant diversity, you can check out AntMaps.org. Not always completely accurate, it’s the best we’ve got at the moment.