16 replies to this topic

[M_Ants]

I want to get native ants in my yard but I'm in argentine territory. If I put out poison bait for the argentines and introduce native plants could I get native species in my yard?

[ANTdrew]

Native plants can help, but how big is your yard and what are the other yards like around you? One yard going native is certainly a step in the right direction, but it won’t guarantee native ants if you’re in a sea of Chemlawn/Truegreen lawnscape full of ornamentals.

[NickAnter]

I hate to say this, but probably not. They really are so dominant in terms of controlling plants, I would say just kill all the argentines possible, and get rid of all of the food sources you see them use. Then, the natives will have more of a chance, as they are good at finding food where seemingly none exists.

[M_Ants]

Yeah you're probably right. I probably won't try. They will win anyways.

[NickAnter]

Just kill as many as possible. That is the best way to do it.

[M_Ants]

I made a borax/sugar water mix and added soaked some cotton balls in it. Then I put it on argentine trails.

[M_Ants]

Found this website. https://calscape.org...sc5f08b192f19e7

[TechAnt]

Found this website. https://calscape.org...hcr=sc5f08b192f

Interesting!

[ANTdrew]

Great site! Everybody in CA should plant these beautiful natives instead of all the Eurasian sh*t.

[NickAnter]

I find the areas most rich in diversity in SoCal urban and suburban areas, are dry areas with sparse, probably non native grass. Its not practical for lawns though, as it creates giant mud sections. And then it stinks. And then there is the fools that have gravel and cacti. That just makes sure that only argentines live there. They just patrol the perimeter.

[AntsDakota]

I would poor boiling water on all Argentine nests and release some native colonies in their place. Feed the native colonies and kill the Argentines.

[M_Ants]

Sadly I don't know where the nests are. Not sure if they are even in my yard. I have no natives in my yard so I'd have to introduce some.

[ponerinecat]

If you look hard enough youll likely find many natives clinging on next to the argentines. Explore in undeveloped areas you wouldn't normally explore. I've discovered Pseudomyrmex apache, a small yellow Temnothorax, Stenamma, a black Crematogaster, Camponotus hyatti, and likely others in the future just by crawling through animal trails in large patches of bushes. Just for reference, outside of that area around houses, there's pretty much nothing but argies and the occasional Pheidole/Hypoponera.

[OhNoNotAgain]

I was shocked recently to find what I think are Liometopum and S. molesta within the yard, in the heart of Argie territory. OTOH S. molesta sounds like it can coexist with just about anything. The Lios - I just caught a glimpse of an ant that might be a Lio - is in a dying tree.

 

People do talk about finding more native species after killing off Argentines (with poison bait).

 

And given people within a mile or two's drive are finding things like Prenolepis and Tetramorium (haha), things are a bit better than I thought initially.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, July 11 2020 - 3:23 PM.

[NickAnter]

I have found 19 species in my yard alone. I havent seen workers of all of them, as some are subterranen, but argentines still make up about 90% of the ants I see here.

[AntsDakota]

I was shocked recently to find what I think are Liometopum and S. molesta within the yard, in the heart of Argie territory. OTOH S. molesta sounds like it can coexist with just about anything. The Lios - I just caught a glimpse of an ant that might be a Lio - is in a dying tree.
 
People do talk about finding more native species after killing off Argentines (with poison bait).
 
And given people within a mile or two's drive are finding things like Prenolepis and Tetramorium (haha), things are a bit better than I thought initially.

Solenopsis molesta would use the Argentines to feed themselves.

[SuperFrank]

Widespread invasives are usually widespread because they are extremely dominant and able to thrive in areas disturbed by humans, they are also usually able to outcompete native species to some degree. Using poison would kill invasive species in your yard yes, but it would also kill whatever small number of native species that may exist in the same area. These native species will also already be under an extreme amount of stress due to competition from invasives. After you killed all the ants in your yard, the billions and billions of other ants that surround your property would more than likely rapidly move in and take over the now abandoned real estate long before any native colonies you planted would be able to take root. For "scorched earth" method to work, extensive and fastidious management would be necessary to even give the native species a chance to try and establish themselves.