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Experience housing small ants like solenopsis molesta.


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#1 Offline AntJohnny - Posted May 23 2019 - 4:53 PM

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I have saw these ants for the first time a few days ago. I enjoy keeping bigger ants although I don't think I can pass up this species. I was curious about other peoples experience with these or similar size ants. Would it be better using an enclosed setup or a escape barrier method. I'm sure I could try both ways and figure out a setup from trial and error. I would rather learn from someone with experience before I try it myself. None of my family would be happy with invisible ants crawling around.

#2 Offline Somethinghmm - Posted May 23 2019 - 5:10 PM

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Try an olive oil barrier. It might kill a few workers but I think it'll keep them in



#3 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted May 23 2019 - 5:13 PM

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I have saw these ants for the first time a few days ago. I enjoy keeping bigger ants although I don't think I can pass up this species. I was curious about other peoples experience with these or similar size ants. Would it be better using an enclosed setup or a escape barrier method. I'm sure I could try both ways and figure out a setup from trial and error. I would rather learn from someone with experience before I try it myself. None of my family would be happy with invisible ants crawling around.

That's is the challenge with keeping them. I think the best way is to keep them in a nearly sealed container and use a barrier regardless if it is sealed or not.


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#4 Offline AntJohnny - Posted May 23 2019 - 5:37 PM

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Ok I will make a setup with with both. I'm thinking it might be worth spending some money and buying a solenopsis nest from AntsCandada. I like making my own but I don't want to risk it

#5 Offline Somethinghmm - Posted May 23 2019 - 5:45 PM

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Make sure to air out the container for a while before putting the lid on.



#6 Offline AntsDakota - Posted July 3 2019 - 3:15 PM

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I have saw these ants for the first time a few days ago. I enjoy keeping bigger ants although I don't think I can pass up this species. I was curious about other peoples experience with these or similar size ants. Would it be better using an enclosed setup or a escape barrier method. I'm sure I could try both ways and figure out a setup from trial and error. I would rather learn from someone with experience before I try it myself. None of my family would be happy with invisible ants crawling around.

I like them since they basically grow as fast as Tetramorium, and are polygynous. Also, I've found that if you stare at them long enough, you get so used to it that you just can't believe your eyes when you see all these ginormous Lasius ants walking around. :lol:


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#7 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted July 3 2019 - 7:34 PM

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These are some of the fastest growing native ants in the U.S., much faster than Tetramorium, so be ready to have well over a thousand workers in one year. They are very hard to contain and exploit any gaps in anything and tunnel through it. I love these ants, but I have experienced with them, so I know what's coming.

Hope this helps!
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#8 Offline mbullock42086 - Posted July 23 2019 - 10:09 AM

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soapy water barrier- removes surface tension



#9 Offline Mercutia - Posted July 23 2019 - 10:22 AM

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I've kept them. Sealing them in is best with an added dry barrier (I don't recommend olive oil because the drips will kill workers) but fluon or baking soda are fine.. The bigger concern is never letting any condensation settle anywhere in the nest. They drown very easy and need very little water to do it.


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#10 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted July 23 2019 - 7:34 PM

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I've kept them. Sealing them in is best with an added dry barrier (I don't recommend olive oil because the drips will kill workers) but fluon or baking soda are fine.. The bigger concern is never letting any condensation settle anywhere in the nest. They drown very easy and need very little water to do it.


I have seen this. I had fifteen queens, and there was condensation on the inside of the tubes (I had a heat mat then) and all but one died.




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