18 replies to this topic

[LiMike]

Hi, my name is Mike from Long Island, New York. I have been Ant keeping for about 6 months now. I started keeping with my 13 year old daughter. We were looking to do something together. She lost interest about a week in but I have been hooked ever since!!

Its funny because this probably has helped my marriage more then  I would have thought. When ever my wife asks me to go for a walk I'm always happy to do so (I may be looking at the ground searching the sidewalks for queens) but I still go!!

Now as far as my wife is concerned I am always doing yard work (I must have found 5 different queen species in my yard wile doing "yard work" my yard is spotless now LOL

Its funny because I would always make sure I had my phone and wallet on me before I leave the house, Now I added 2 empty test tubes to the list. I never leave home without them (you never know when a queen might cross your path)

Anyway, I have been visiting this forum and reading some of your posts.  They have been very helpful for me. I figured it was time for me to join. I hope to do my part and help out when I can!! 

Thank you, LiMike 

Attached Images

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Edited by LiMike, August 3 2020 - 12:08 PM.

[AntsDakota]

Welcome to the community! You're sure to learn a lot here! What species did you find, by the way?

[Otter]

Hello Mike! Funny timing, I actually just visited a few Long Island pine barrens yesterday and today. If you are interested in a fun walk with lots of cool ants to look at, check out Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve. There is a MASSIVE formica exsectoides colony there, and by massive I mean covering about half of the park if not more! Here is a photo of the area that is most interesting (and not a long hike to get to): https://imgur.com/a/GQb2Lkx. Red is the easiest place to park, blue is the start of the colony, and purple has the most interesting mounds. I found multiple nests there that were over 10 feet in diameter and a few feet tall. The tallest was 6-7 feet tall and 12 ish feet in diameter while the most active was a 13x7 rectangle. Their trails are absolutely everywhere throughout the park, even in the sandiest area. Other nice treats there are two monomorium species (tiny species on the blue path as you enter the park near the first formica mound on the left), camponotus castaneus, camponotus americanus, and a few more. While there really arent that many species in the park, the sheer amount of ants constsntly crossing the path make it an interesting walk. Make sure to stay at least a foot away from the small mounds and at least 4-5 away from the largest as they are *extremely* aggressive and sensitive when it comes to their mounds. This is their reaction to me getting close: https://youtu.be/MCIXZDwfYQs

[ANTdrew]

Welcome and lol! I wish ant-keeping would help my marriage, but it hasn’t hurt it either. Making almost $600 selling queens has helped change her tune.
What species do you keep?

[Antkid12]

Welcome!

[VoidElecent]

Its funny because I would always make sure I had my phone and wallet on me before I leave the house, Now I added 2 empty test tubes to the list. I never leave home without them (you never know when a queen might cross your path)

 

Name of the game. Many of the rare/interesting species I've collected have been from random locations when I wasn't expecting to find anything, but happened to have a vial on me.

 

Welcome to Formiculture!

[TechAnt]

Welcome to the forum!

Edited by TechAnt, August 3 2020 - 2:10 PM.

[ponerinecat]

https://www.smithson...ttant-25741340/

 

Just something to look out for.

[LiMike]

Welcome to the community! You're sure to learn a lot here! What species did you find, by the way?

Hi AntsDakota, Thank you for the welcome I really appreciate that!!

I have found 

Camponotus pennsyvanicas now with 9 workers and a lot off cocoons and eggs 

Camponotus Castaneus with cocoons, eggs and her first nanitic this morning 

Camponotus Nearctius with cocoons and eggs 

Camponotus Americans keeps eating her eggs?

acorn queens with eggs 

Apheanogater Picea with workers and eggs 

Lasius umbratus that excepted lasius niger workers and now has eggs 

Lasius clavier excepted lasius interjectus workers that were donated from a friends colony but no eggs yet 

Lasius Latipes excepted lasius interjectus workers last week no eggs yet  and another that excepted lasius niger but no eggs yet 

tetramorium with workers, cocoons and eggs 

I also have some queens and colonies that were purchased as well

[LiMike]

Hello Mike! Funny timing, I actually just visited a few Long Island pine barrens yesterday and today. If you are interested in a fun walk with lots of cool ants to look at, check out Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve. There is a MASSIVE formica exsectoides colony there, and by massive I mean covering about half of the park if not more! Here is a photo of the area that is most interesting (and not a long hike to get to): https://imgur.com/a/GQb2Lkx. Red is the easiest place to park, blue is the start of the colony, and purple has the most interesting mounds. I found multiple nests there that were over 10 feet in diameter and a few feet tall. The tallest was 6-7 feet tall and 12 ish feet in diameter while the most active was a 13x7 rectangle. Their trails are absolutely everywhere throughout the park, even in the sandiest area. Other nice treats there are two monomorium species (tiny species on the blue path as you enter the park near the first formica mound on the left), camponotus castaneus, camponotus americanus, and a few more. While there really arent that many species in the park, the sheer amount of ants constsntly crossing the path make it an interesting walk. Make sure to stay at least a foot away from the small mounds and at least 4-5 away from the largest as they are *extremely* aggressive and sensitive when it comes to their mounds. This is their reaction to me getting close: https://youtu.be/MCIXZDwfYQs

Hi Otter, Thank you very much for the heads up on that I really do appreciate it! I spent a lot of time riding around that area (it only a 20 minute drive from me) but never really went into the pine barrens (a lot of tics in there barrens) but after what you just showed and told me, I think I'm going to have to take my chances and head on in!! I really appreciate you taking the time out and explaining and even show a map of the area!! That is awesome of you!!!

Thank you again Otter!!!

[LiMike]

Welcome and lol! I wish ant-keeping would help my marriage, but it hasn’t hurt it either. Making almost $600 selling queens has helped change her tune.
What species do you keep?

Thank you very much ANTdrew, I appreciate the welcome!! heck yeah, $600 selling queens.... I sure it took some convincing that you sold ant for that much. Being in the hobby I completely understand and know how much they could sell for but people that don't know the hobby would never believe it. I was picking up baby powder and rubbing alcohol for an ant  barrier and a person on line asked me if I used the alcohol for cleaning stuff off ( obviously for covid 19 reasons) I told him no that I use it for my ants. He was very surprised and asked me how do I get them. after explaining to him that I try and catch them locally but could purchase them if you don't have any luck or time. He said how much could an ant cost? I told him you could spend upwards of $100 or more on a queen. He then changed his tune and in his voice it seemed that he got mad at me thinking I was only messing with him I guess LOL 

[LiMike]

Welcome!

 

Thank you very much Antkid, I really appreciate the welcome!!

 

Its funny because I would always make sure I had my phone and wallet on me before I leave the house, Now I added 2 empty test tubes to the list. I never leave home without them (you never know when a queen might cross your path)

 

Name of the game. Many of the rare/interesting species I've collected have been from random locations when I wasn't expecting to find anything, but happened to have a vial on me.

 

Welcome to Formiculture!

 

 

Thank you for the welcome VoidElecent, I really appreciate the welcome!! Yes, I never leave home without them!! My family and I were visiting my brother and his family. We were all sitting on my brothers  front porch and a huge queen Camponotus came flying down almost into my wife's shirt and pretty much landed at my feet. With in 15 seconds I had the test tube out and the queen all secured. My family was laughing hysterically to the point of tears LOL they had no idea that I kept a test-tube on me and was very surprised and couldn't believe how fast I reacted and ready I was. The queen had wing but since has laid eggs. I'm sure it will be a family story for many years to come 

Welcome to the forum!

Thank you very much TechAnt, I really appreciate the Welcome!!

[LiMike]

https://www.smithson...ttant-25741340/

 

Just something to look out for.

HI ponerinecat, Thank you for the heads up I will be sure to keep an eye out!! 

Its probably somebody's Camponotus Novaeboracensis they let go into the wild before heading home from college LOL

 

[Otter]

Hello Mike! Funny timing, I actually just visited a few Long Island pine barrens yesterday and today. If you are interested in a fun walk with lots of cool ants to look at, check out Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve. There is a MASSIVE formica exsectoides colony there, and by massive I mean covering about half of the park if not more! Here is a photo of the area that is most interesting (and not a long hike to get to): https://imgur.com/a/GQb2Lkx. Red is the easiest place to park, blue is the start of the colony, and purple has the most interesting mounds. I found multiple nests there that were over 10 feet in diameter and a few feet tall. The tallest was 6-7 feet tall and 12 ish feet in diameter while the most active was a 13x7 rectangle. Their trails are absolutely everywhere throughout the park, even in the sandiest area. Other nice treats there are two monomorium species (tiny species on the blue path as you enter the park near the first formica mound on the left), camponotus castaneus, camponotus americanus, and a few more. While there really arent that many species in the park, the sheer amount of ants constsntly crossing the path make it an interesting walk. Make sure to stay at least a foot away from the small mounds and at least 4-5 away from the largest as they are *extremely* aggressive and sensitive when it comes to their mounds. This is their reaction to me getting close:

Hi Otter, Thank you very much for the heads up on that I really do appreciate it! I spent a lot of time riding around that area (it only a 20 minute drive from me) but never really went into the pine barrens (a lot of tics in there barrens) but after what you just showed and told me, I think I'm going to have to take my chances and head on in!! I really appreciate you taking the time out and explaining and even show a map of the area!! That is awesome of you!!!
Thank you again Otter!!!

Btw, ticks are pretty rare from my experience. As long as you stay out of the dense forested area with super long grass, and wear long socks. Dress socks are pretty thin and don't make you totally overheat, although they might be a little ugly as in my video lol

[ConcordAntman]

Welcome, from a former Wyandanch native

[LiMike]

 

 

Hello Mike! Funny timing, I actually just visited a few Long Island pine barrens yesterday and today. If you are interested in a fun walk with lots of cool ants to look at, check out Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve. There is a MASSIVE formica exsectoides colony there, and by massive I mean covering about half of the park if not more! Here is a photo of the area that is most interesting (and not a long hike to get to): https://imgur.com/a/GQb2Lkx. Red is the easiest place to park, blue is the start of the colony, and purple has the most interesting mounds. I found multiple nests there that were over 10 feet in diameter and a few feet tall. The tallest was 6-7 feet tall and 12 ish feet in diameter while the most active was a 13x7 rectangle. Their trails are absolutely everywhere throughout the park, even in the sandiest area. Other nice treats there are two monomorium species (tiny species on the blue path as you enter the park near the first formica mound on the left), camponotus castaneus, camponotus americanus, and a few more. While there really arent that many species in the park, the sheer amount of ants constsntly crossing the path make it an interesting walk. Make sure to stay at least a foot away from the small mounds and at least 4-5 away from the largest as they are *extremely* aggressive and sensitive when it comes to their mounds. This is their reaction to me getting close:

Hi Otter, Thank you very much for the heads up on that I really do appreciate it! I spent a lot of time riding around that area (it only a 20 minute drive from me) but never really went into the pine barrens (a lot of tics in there barrens) but after what you just showed and told me, I think I'm going to have to take my chances and head on in!! I really appreciate you taking the time out and explaining and even show a map of the area!! That is awesome of you!!!
Thank you again Otter!!!

Btw, ticks are pretty rare from my experience. As long as you stay out of the dense forested area with super long grass, and wear long socks. Dress socks are pretty thin and don't make you totally overheat, although they might be a little ugly as in my video lol

 

Thank you very much for the advice Otter, I really appreciate that!! I be sure to stay out of the dense brush and high grass. As far as socks go, I don't care it they yellow with purple polkadots as long as they keep the tics off I'm good LOL 

Thanks again 

[LiMike]

Welcome, from a former Wyandanch native

Hi ConcordAntman Thank you for the welcome!! Wyandanch is just a bit west of me. 

[ConcordAntman]

Hey, us Suffolk county folks got to stick together 

[LiMike]

That is very true ConcordAntman,

Thank you very much my Friend!!!