Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

How to move a wild colony


  • Please log in to reply
3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline GijsSmulders - Posted June 29 2019 - 4:28 AM

GijsSmulders

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 2 posts
Hi all,

A friend showed me his carpenter ant set up which intrigued me. I started looking up how to keep ants, set up, husbandry etc. when I remembered that I have a colony living in the control panel of my pool cleaner. That friend thinks they are Polyrhachis species.

Now I am totally new to this and any suggestions would be helpfull.

I'd like to move this colony into my own set up. And eventually I'd like to set up a 120ltr octagon tank as a habitat for them with live plants etc.

I don't know the size of the colony, if I tap the box about 20 ants pop out generally. I don't see them coming out at all at the moment, does that mean they are hibernating? And if so, should I forget about moving them now? I live in North-east Australia, in the tropics.

My first thought was to put the whole control panel in the small tank (it does fit), get them to set up shop in there and then later connect the octagon to it. I probably run into a few issues like how will the colony move out of the panel. In the small tank using light or temp might be difficult. Should I just set up straight in the octagon?

Then lastly, is this a good species to start with. Compared to other species I believe there is not as much known about Polyrhachis sp. so any input would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Gijs

#2 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 29 2019 - 1:54 PM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

Hi all,

A friend showed me his carpenter ant set up which intrigued me. I started looking up how to keep ants, set up, husbandry etc. when I remembered that I have a colony living in the control panel of my pool cleaner. That friend thinks they are Polyrhachis species.

Now I am totally new to this and any suggestions would be helpfull.

I'd like to move this colony into my own set up. And eventually I'd like to set up a 120ltr octagon tank as a habitat for them with live plants etc.

I don't know the size of the colony, if I tap the box about 20 ants pop out generally. I don't see them coming out at all at the moment, does that mean they are hibernating? And if so, should I forget about moving them now? I live in North-east Australia, in the tropics.

My first thought was to put the whole control panel in the small tank (it does fit), get them to set up shop in there and then later connect the octagon to it. I probably run into a few issues like how will the colony move out of the panel. In the small tank using light or temp might be difficult. Should I just set up straight in the octagon?

Then lastly, is this a good species to start with. Compared to other species I believe there is not as much known about Polyrhachis sp. so any input would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Gijs

It is best to start an ant colony from a single virgin queen. She will raise a colony for you, and attempting to catch a wild colony can be extremely difficult without digging the whole colony up (and besides- they might not even move into the setup you've prepared for them). Just walk around on a flat surface (such as a sidewalk or driveway) on a sunny day after a rainstorm. This is when new queens have nuptial (mating) flights, and when ant keepers find them. And as a beginner, I would start with a different species.


  • ANTdrew likes this

"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


#3 Offline GijsSmulders - Posted June 29 2019 - 4:37 PM

GijsSmulders

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 2 posts
Thanks for the feedback, I might start my own colony with a new queen.

#4 Offline ponerinecat - Posted July 21 2019 - 5:39 PM

ponerinecat

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,650 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

polyrachis can be rather difficult






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users