8 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

Worth a shot or no? Anyone tried to before?

 

There's a few Dorymyrmex insanus mounds on the dirt sidewalk across the street they're about to put a cement sidewalk in, which will undoubtedly obliterate them. Not sure if it's worth attempting to dig up. I remember reading their queen is usually far from their numerous satellite nests.

[Vendayn]

I never had success with it, I pretty much stopped trying as it just ruins their little mound and nest area.

[Alza]

I've always had success with it, and its how i ended up with 8 out of my 14 dorymyrmex insanus queens. Dig like 3 inches down, then start digging to the sides, even if you don't see chambers.

[Vendayn]

It may be the soil I've found them in. I have found queens in founding chambers. But, never had luck with getting them from an already mature colony. With that said, everywhere I see them ends up being hard clay-dirt that is way too hard to dig through. So, might just be bad luck for that. I never have yet to find them in easy to dig through dirt or sand, at least that is my personal experience.

[dspdrew]

I would never waste the time. They are really easy queens to find. They fly almost every time it rains. I just found one today as a matter of fact.

[Foogoo]

I would never waste the time. They are really easy queens to find. They fly almost every time it rains. I just found one today as a matter of fact.

Just in your neighborhood?

[dspdrew]

No. I found it at O'Neill Park.

[Miles]

We actually attempted this at Ants of the Southwest. Pretty deep, unpredictable tunnels and chambers. Brood is very deep down - we barely reached any. They often have satellite nests that we think are interconnected underground. 

 

From my experience, it's not worth the trouble.

[kellakk]

They do keep brood and alates in satellite nests near the surface at this time of year, but I doubt the queen would be easy to find. 

Edited by kellakk, March 5 2015 - 10:30 PM.