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 Find and Catch Queen Ants

find catch ant queen queen mating flight trap founding chamber blacklight black light pool crystals guide tutorial

  • Please log in to reply
44 replies to this topic

#41 Offline westhollywoodant - Posted June 22 2022 - 11:52 AM

westhollywoodant

    Advanced Member

  • Banned
  • PipPipPip
  • 121 posts
Thanks. I’ll wait and see if anyone who actually lives here has any experience and notes of finding queens in LA 🍻😎

#42 Offline Yourbasicantkeeper - Posted June 21 2023 - 8:37 AM

Yourbasicantkeeper

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 116 posts
  • LocationSan Carlos, California

Thank you for all this helpful information!

It must have been lots of hard work putting this article together.

I havent caught any queen ants yet but i will try with the UV method.

Thank you again! (y)  :D


"I am here on Earth, and I am only a speck of sand in the desert, a blade of grass in a field. I am no greater than any one of these busy ants who build for each other's comfort. " - King Solomon

 

Currently keeping: Myrmecocystus Depilis, Pogonomyrmex Rugosus

 

Wishlist: Camponotus Ocreatus


#43 Offline CAantz - Posted July 15 2023 - 7:41 AM

CAantz

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 163 posts

Thanks. I’ll wait and see if anyone who actually lives here has any experience and notes of finding queens in LA 🍻😎

In my experience I have found that it is hard to find queens in LA other than smaller house and pavement dwelling ants. If you want to find some other ants like Camponotus and Pogonomyrmex, you will probably have a better chance of going to a place that has less people and more nature. Places like Temescal Canyon, Topanga, Griffith park and Joshua Tree are all good anting spots. If you live near the ocean the it is going to be even harder to find queens.
  • AntObserver likes this

#44 Offline dspdrew - Posted July 15 2023 - 9:44 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

What a great resource!!! Tha k you so much for the helpful information. My daughter is a new ant enthusiast and we tried a few time this season to look for queens at Mt. Baldy, CA with no luck. Im so glad I found your article as I think she is getting a little discouraged (she's 9 years old). I think the black light at night method is fantastic and would like to give it a try. What is an acceptable level of humidity and a good time to try in the foothills of Mt. Baldy with a black light?
We tha k you in advance for your help.

 

Blacklighting in the foothills is best during a major heatwave. Unless it's late summer, I find black lighting in places like Mount Baldy doesn't do much. To find queens there, it's best to also go during a major heatwave, particularly the first heatwave of the Spring, and to just look for them on the ground.

 

 

Thanks. I’ll wait and see if anyone who actually lives here has any experience and notes of finding queens in LA

In my experience I have found that it is hard to find queens in LA other than smaller house and pavement dwelling ants. If you want to find some other ants like Camponotus and pogos, you will probably have a better chance of going to a place that has less people and more nature. Places like Temescal Canyon, Topanga, Griffith park and Joshua Tree are all good anting spots. If you live near the ocean the it is going to be even harder to find queens.

 

 

When I first started I thought the same about Southern CA. I couldn't find anything until I realized you had to go out in the wilderness, and at the right times.

 

 

This thread (https://www.formicul...ifornia-anting/) actually has a lot of specific and current information about anting in Southern CA.


  • 100lols likes this

#45 Offline AntObserver - Posted July 24 2023 - 2:15 PM

AntObserver

    Advanced Member

  • Banned
  • PipPipPip
  • 46 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, CA
Agreed. I like checking nature centers as they tend to be good. I went to Placerita Canyon Nature Center and it was crawling with ants, mostly Pogonomyrmex and Liometopum. But some Pheidole and Formica as well.
I’m Still exploring the surroundings 😎😎🐜🐜👏🏼

Edited by AntObserver, July 24 2023 - 2:17 PM.

  • 100lols likes this





Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: find, catch, ant queen, queen, mating flight, trap, founding chamber, blacklight, black light, pool, crystals, guide, tutorial

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users