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Why has no one kept Linepithema humile (Argentine ants)?

argentine ants linepithema humile invasive

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35 replies to this topic

#1 Offline lsilverwoman - Posted November 17 2020 - 7:43 PM

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Hi, I live in Northern California where Argentine ants are everywhere, including my... home. I thought I might as well try and capture a queen to watch them instead of just trying to kill them (which has mostly been in vain). But I can't find anyone who has kept these ants for tips. I looked at the Ants Census forum as well. 
Thanks for any advice!


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#2 Offline ZTYguy - Posted November 17 2020 - 7:46 PM

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You can ask at Zaint. He sells them. Good luck trying to catch all the queens. *cough*  there are probably hundreds  *cough*


Ant Keeping Since June 2018
Currently Keeping:
A. versicolor, C. us-ca02, C. yogi, C. Vicinus, C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. maritimus, C. ocreatus, M. mexicanus, M. placodops 01, V. andrei, V. pergandei, N. cockerelli, P. barbata, P. montanus

Hoping to Catch This season:

M. romanei, M. placodops 02, P. imberbiculus, Polyergus sp., F. moki, A. megomatta, Cyphomyrmex sp.,Temnothorax sp.


#3 Offline Swirlysnowflake - Posted November 17 2020 - 7:47 PM

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Hi, I live in Northern California where Argentine ants are everywhere, including my... home. I thought I might as well try and capture a queen to watch them instead of just trying to kill them (which has mostly been in vain). But I can't find anyone who has kept these ants for tips. I looked at the Ants Census forum as well. 
Thanks for any advice!

People just don't like them.

They are an invasive species whose colonies grow ridiculously fast, and they are the best escape artists. You’ll need the most secure formicarium to hold these guys, because if they escape that will affect the ecosystem adversely.

I actually only *used to* wanted these to feed my blind snake, but he died :(

 

Edit: This is just answering your title hehe


Edited by Swirlysnowflake, November 17 2020 - 7:52 PM.

 My YouTube channel :)

 

 


#4 Offline M_Ants - Posted November 17 2020 - 7:50 PM

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Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 


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Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about


#5 Offline Guest_StrickyAnts_* - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:01 PM

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They are invasive and wipe out native ants. Kill every queen you see imo


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#6 Offline lsilverwoman - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:07 PM

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Hi, I live in Northern California where Argentine ants are everywhere, including my... home. I thought I might as well try and capture a queen to watch them instead of just trying to kill them (which has mostly been in vain). But I can't find anyone who has kept these ants for tips. I looked at the Ants Census forum as well. 
Thanks for any advice!

People just don't like them.

They are an invasive species whose colonies grow ridiculously fast, and they are the best escape artists. You’ll need the most secure formicarium to hold these guys, because if they escape that will affect the ecosystem adversely.

I actually only *used to* wanted these to feed my blind snake, but he died :(

 

Edit: This is just answering your title hehe

 

OH no, I'm sorry your snake died. I used to have a rosy boa that I loved... fed him frozen mice though. 



#7 Offline lsilverwoman - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:09 PM

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Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

Which species should I get? And where can I get it? 



#8 Offline ZTYguy - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:16 PM

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This would be a good time to say put your location in your profile and get any ants listed from the topic I posted LF good beginner species.


Ant Keeping Since June 2018
Currently Keeping:
A. versicolor, C. us-ca02, C. yogi, C. Vicinus, C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. maritimus, C. ocreatus, M. mexicanus, M. placodops 01, V. andrei, V. pergandei, N. cockerelli, P. barbata, P. montanus

Hoping to Catch This season:

M. romanei, M. placodops 02, P. imberbiculus, Polyergus sp., F. moki, A. megomatta, Cyphomyrmex sp.,Temnothorax sp.


#9 Offline M_Ants - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:16 PM

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Lot's of people including me in CA sell/ship ants. Just look on the marketplace on make a Looking For post. I recommend an easy sp. like Crematogaster, Camponotus, or some sort of harvesters. 


Edited by M_Ants, November 17 2020 - 8:17 PM.

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Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about


#10 Offline ZTYguy - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:17 PM

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So basically Camponotus or Harvesters


Ant Keeping Since June 2018
Currently Keeping:
A. versicolor, C. us-ca02, C. yogi, C. Vicinus, C. laevigatus, C. clarithorax, C. maritimus, C. ocreatus, M. mexicanus, M. placodops 01, V. andrei, V. pergandei, N. cockerelli, P. barbata, P. montanus

Hoping to Catch This season:

M. romanei, M. placodops 02, P. imberbiculus, Polyergus sp., F. moki, A. megomatta, Cyphomyrmex sp.,Temnothorax sp.


#11 Offline M_Ants - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:23 PM

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Pheidole are good too. 


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about


#12 Online Zeiss - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:23 PM

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Linepithema humile is a very invasive species with supercolonies around the entire world.  They are better off being killed.  I find Terro liquid bait and their ant spray works well against them in SoCal.  If you do end up keeping them, make sure they're in containers that are lined with Fluon (best insect barrier) at the top to make sure they don't get out.  

 

If you're wanting to buy some ants, put your location in your profile information (forum rules) and only buy from people within CA (since you said you're from NorCal), otherwise it would be illegal without proper permits.  One of the best starter ants is Camponotus fragilis for their hardiness, no hibernation needed, and how quickly they can grow given that their basic needs are met.


Edited by Zeiss, November 17 2020 - 8:24 PM.

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#13 Offline Swirlysnowflake - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:57 PM

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just curious are prenolepis imparis considered a beginners species, i might be selling my colony sometime


 My YouTube channel :)

 

 


#14 Offline Guest_StrickyAnts_* - Posted November 17 2020 - 8:58 PM

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No,  they are pretty hard



#15 Offline Vendayn - Posted November 17 2020 - 10:20 PM

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I don't think it has to do with their invasiveness like people say. Or ants like pheidole megacephala, solenopsis invicta, even monomorium pharaonis as some examples (lots of non-native/exotic ants around that people love to keep) wouldn't be so popular.

 

It more has to do with how boring they are. The most boring ant could ever be cursed with. Even if lived where they are native, they'd still be the most boring ant in the world. There isn't a single ant that is nearly as boring as Argentine ants are. And on top of how boring they are, they are also super hard to keep...so combine the two...


Edited by Vendayn, November 17 2020 - 10:24 PM.

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#16 Offline ANTdrew - Posted November 18 2020 - 3:28 AM

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just curious are prenolepis imparis considered a beginners species, i might be selling my colony sometime

I’ve never seen anyone get to more than a few workers with these. They do not adapt well to captivity for some reason. One of the hardest species around.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#17 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted November 18 2020 - 4:37 AM

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just curious are prenolepis imparis considered a beginners species, i might be selling my colony sometime

I’ve never seen anyone get to more than a few workers with these. They do not adapt well to captivity for some reason. One of the hardest species around.

 

AntsAustralia has a massive colony of them. I will link the videos below.

https://www.youtube....h?v=LJyusL5LaxE

https://www.youtube....h?v=d1jhQ5OwerE



#18 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted November 18 2020 - 7:42 AM

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Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

Which species should I get? And where can I get it? 

 

Tetramorium they are the only sp that i got workers sadly they all died.


1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube....kUjx-dPFMyVqOLw

 

 Join Our Fledgling Discord Server https://discord.com/...089056687423489


#19 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted November 18 2020 - 8:02 AM

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Kill them all!!!!!!! Get something better. 

Which species should I get? And where can I get it? 

 

i pm'd you a list of some of the best. let me know if you want any more!


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#20 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted November 18 2020 - 8:15 AM

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or buy some pogonomyrmex occidentalis.


1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube....kUjx-dPFMyVqOLw

 

 Join Our Fledgling Discord Server https://discord.com/...089056687423489






Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: argentine ants, linepithema humile, invasive

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