2 replies to this topic

[antdoctor]

I have a bag full of leaves that I raked last fall - it has been slowly decomposing in my yard. Yesterday I realized that there is a Formica neorufibarbis colony living in there. The leaves have to go in the compost so I figured I'd harvest the colony. I've never done this before.

 

My thinking is that I'll put the whole bag of leaves into a large Rubbermaid bin, maybe put some fluon around edge (not sure if this will be effective though), and place the bin in a tray of water to create a moat to prevent escapees. Then slowly pull the leaves apart until I find the nest. Does this sound like sound strategy? 

 

Can I use an insect aspirator if I am careful not to inhale and rather just create suction with my mouth? Or are aspirators a solid no with formic acid secreting species? Can I aspirate the queen?

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

[ZTYguy]

You can dump all of the debris into a fluon lined Tupperware container. No most will be needed. What you can then do is take the leaves out (while shaking off any ants). You’ll be left with the bare colony and then you can move them into a nest or formicarium.

[antdoctor]

Sounds good! Will give it a shot once my Fluon refill arrives later this week.