84 replies to this topic

[Broncos]

I think pretty much everyone on this forum has had some sort of issue with non native ants. What can we do to stop them and what can we do to help native ants?!?!

[Ferox_Formicae]

The only thing I could possibly think of to do is to raise up colonies of native species, and once they get alates, release them.

[Martialis]

Not too much. Killing the invasives is a start, although good luck doing that with Solebopsis and Linepithema.

[OhNoNotAgain]

In California: if lush gardens and green lawns aren't your thing, I suppose you could xeriscape. But if your neighbor is busy watering twice a week then it probably won't make a huge difference.

[OhNoNotAgain]

On a larger scale supporting land conservation and natural habitat restoration would probably help in some areas.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Not too much. Killing the invasives is a start, although good luck doing that with Solebopsis and Linepithema.

I know you meant to say "Solenopsis", but "Solebopsis" sounds like a hybrid between Colobopsis and Solenopsis 

[Aaron567]

You can collect queens of invasive ants and kill them, which could eventually improve the native species biodiversity in a very localized area if you're effective enough at it. On days where Solenopsis invicta have large flights I usually collect as many queens as I can (usually a few hundred) and freeze them.

[TheMicroPlanet]

You can collect queens of invasive ants and kill them, which could eventually improve the native species biodiversity in a very localized area if you're effective enough at it. On days where Solenopsis invicta have large flights I usually collect as many queens as I can (usually a few hundred) and freeze them.

Would invasive nuptial flights be a good source of feeders? I mean, you could get rid of invasive species and feed native ones at the same time.

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, January 13 2020 - 2:31 PM.

[ponerinecat]

I already said this, but I've had huge success with killing off argentine colonies. It doesnt do much against the population, but it creates little safe havens for natives.

[AntsDakota]

 

You can collect queens of invasive ants and kill them, which could eventually improve the native species biodiversity in a very localized area if you're effective enough at it. On days where Solenopsis invicta have large flights I usually collect as many queens as I can (usually a few hundred) and freeze them.

Would invasive nuptial flights be a good source of feeders? I mean, you could get rid of invasive species and feed native ones at the same time.

 

If your ants have a taste for invasive queens, then yes. Absolutely.

[AntsDakota]

The only invasive species I have are from the genus Tetramorium, which isn't even THAT prevalent. I prefer to keep them as opposed to killing them.

Edited by AntsDakota, January 13 2020 - 4:28 PM.

[gcsnelling]

The only thing I could possibly think of to do is to raise up colonies of native species, and once they get alates, release them.

No, you can not.

[gcsnelling]

The best option is encourage habitat restoration and reduce habitat destruction.

[PacificNorthWestern]

i feed the wild native ants in my area, and dig up the non native colonies and freeze them.

Edited by PacificNorthWestern, January 13 2020 - 4:51 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Everything in an ecosystem is connected. The health of an ecosystem starts with healthy soil then continues up to native plants. Native plants are really the foundation for native insects. By volunteering at invasive plant removal events and helping to restore native plants, you’ll be helping all kinds of wildlife, ants included. Invasive ants predominate in the areas that have been disturbed the most, which usually means lots of non-native plants. In CA, I would definitely recommend xeriscaping with desert plants.

[Martialis]

Everything in an ecosystem is connected. The health of an ecosystem starts with healthy soil then continues up to native plants. Native plants are really the foundation for native insects. By volunteering at invasive plant removal events and helping to restore native plants, you’ll be helping all kinds of wildlife, ants included. Invasive ants predominate in the areas that have been disturbed the most, which usually means lots of non-native plants. In CA, I would definitely recommend xeriscaping with desert plants.

 

Socal at least. 

[NickAnter]

Everything in an ecosystem is connected. The health of an ecosystem starts with healthy soil then continues up to native plants. Native plants are really the foundation for native insects. By volunteering at invasive plant removal events and helping to restore native plants, you’ll be helping all kinds of wildlife, ants included. Invasive ants predominate in the areas that have been disturbed the most, which usually means lots of non-native plants. In CA, I would definitely recommend xeriscaping with desert plants.

I find that this doesnt deter Argentines much. The most you'll get in dry areas around here is Dorymyrmex insanus. I say, keep the area moist, and hopw for some Nylanderia to move in. They can create little goldmines of native species, as they can often get to food before argentines.

[ANTdrew]

I can't promise any miracles with native plants, but I think that is the best way to go from a conservation standpoint. Look at what all the big CA anters do on this forum to find native ants: drive out far from inhabited areas to where native flora and natural conditions persist without human disruption. Native plants aren't a silver bullet or some kind of magic, but if you fill a space with them, I can guarantee that diversity of all kinds of life will increase. I've seen it firsthand in my own urban yard. This is why I am constantly beating this drum on the forum.

[Manitobant]

introduce tough native species to infested areas. for example, you could transplant solenopsis xyloni or geminata, which are both aggressive natives that can defend against argentines.  A better option, however, would be to collect and transplant a colony of a brood raider such as neivamyrmex, which could decimate invasive nests, especially myrmicines like megacephala or invicta.

Edited by Manitobant, January 14 2020 - 11:42 AM.

[gcsnelling]

introduce tough native species to infested areas. for example, you could transplant solenopsis xyloni or geminata, which are both aggressive natives that can defend against argentines.  A better option, however, would be to collect and transplant a colony of a brood raider such as neivamyrmex, which could decimate invasive nests, especially myrmicines like megacephala or invicta.

The Neivamyrmex would almost certainly die due to being outside of their established territory.