4 replies to this topic

[The_Gaming-gate]

I’m not going too make this too long, but I have not found a single Camponotus colony around my neighborhood since the pandemic. Wanna know what else happened during the pandemic? S. invicta took over my yard. The pesky critters conquer and conquer until there is no food or shelter left for helpful natives. Sure, the Solenopsis alates get killed by Dorymyrmex bureni ants, but then Solenopsis just kill the Dorymyrmex alates preventing their spread.


So what do we do? We have to stop wasting our time with the mature fire ant colonies, since we’ve established that’s not possible. Instead, we need to deal with the alates who are the root of the problem. Kill every single alate. Make sure your yard is as horrible as a place for founding as possible. If you’re in the southwest, do some desert landscaping to encourage natives to nest there and to prevent water-loving Solenopsis from founding. If you want to keep catching natives and want to enjoy the natural environment as it is, you need to listen. To prevent disturbing of the Formiculture ecosystem (just in case this starts an argument) discuss it in this sandbox thread. https://www.formicul...nd/#entry238517

Edited by The_Gaming-gate, April 8 2024 - 2:44 PM.

[Flu1d]

I feel slightly gross about it, and I am sure some folks here will probably call me out..but whenever Solenopsis invicta move into my yard, I hit their nests with a few of my largest pots of boiling water.

They're the only species that I evict from my yard, although I know it's not really an excuse. It's just, they displace all of the cool species in my yard and tear it up for their obnoxiously large nests so it's hard to feel TOO bad about it.. and I don't wanna put poison in my yard and risk killing other species.

[The_Gaming-gate]

I feel slightly gross about it, and I am sure some folks here will probably call me out..but whenever Solenopsis invicta move into my yard, I hit their nests with a few of my largest pots of boiling water.

They're the only species that I evict from my yard, although I know it's not really an excuse. It's just, they displace all of the cool species in my yard and tear it up for their obnoxiously large nests so it's hard to feel TOO bad about it.. and I don't wanna put poison in my yard and risk killing other species.

I do the same thing, I’ll collect whatever alates/queens I find, and then wreck the nest. The issue is those pesky polygynous invicta with dozens of entrances to ensure you need tons upon tons of boiling water to actually kill them.

[futurebird]

Boiling water is fine, but you have not destroyed the conditions that allow them to thrive. Invicta likes disturbed soils with ample sunlight. In a way *lawns* are the problem. If you look at wild land in your area are there lawns? Is there a perfect carpet of green grass? Unless you are in IDK Scotland probably not. The US is a patchwork of grasslands and deep forests, deserts and scrub. So one way to make a big blow against invicta is to get rid of the lawn. Plant native plants instead. Find a wild area that isn't manicured and collect seeds. Find out what plants are native to your region and focus on the native plants you like best, and those that are homes to the best native ants. 

 

It's still possible to have beautiful landscaping with native plants, there are many sources online about "killing your lawn" and I love this idea because it would help local ants. 

 

Sometimes people have things like sprinkler systems, or they do things to promote "healthy lawns" and almost all of these things are things that fire ants love. Like those "soil aireation" machines that disturb the soil-- Get some big flat rocks and plant things with deep roots that shade the ground. Soon the fire ants will move on to find a place with short grass and water fountains. (probably your neighbors)

 

They are pretty looking ants. But, I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to plan your environment to promote less common species ... and more enjoyable species. 

 

So don't stop at hot water. 

 

(Also, the queens are often too deep for the hot water, the ants simply move in from the next nest over, eat the dead, and keep increasing in number. Pest problems happen because we tend to make perfect pest habitats, then get shocked when they show up.)

Edited by futurebird, April 14 2024 - 9:10 PM.

[Flu1d]

Boiling water is fine, but you have not destroyed the conditions that allow them to thrive. Invicta likes disturbed soils with ample sunlight. In a way *lawns* are the problem. If you look at wild land in your area are there lawns? Is there a perfect carpet of green grass? Unless you are in IDK Scotland probably not. The US is a patchwork of grasslands and deep forests, deserts and scrub. So one way to make a big blow against invicta is to get rid of the lawn. Plant native plants instead. Find a wild area that isn't manicured and collect seeds. Find out what plants are native to your region and focus on the native plants you like best, and those that are homes to the best native ants.

It's still possible to have beautiful landscaping with native plants, there are many sources online about "killing your lawn" and I love this idea because it would help local ants.

Sometimes people have things like sprinkler systems, or they do things to promote "healthy lawns" and almost all of these things are things that fire ants love. Like those "soil aireation" machines that disturb the soil-- Get some big flat rocks and plant things with deep roots that shade the ground. Soon the fire ants will move on to find a place with short grass and water fountains. (probably your neighbors)

They are pretty looking ants. But, I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to plan your environment to promote less common species ... and more enjoyable species.

So don't stop at hot water.

(Also, the queens are often too deep for the hot water, the ants simply move in from the next nest over, eat the dead, and keep increasing in number. Pest problems happen because we tend to make perfect pest habitats, then get shocked when they show up.)

I haven't had Solenopsis invicta in my yard for quite a while after boiling the last set, and some Trachymyrmex septentrionalis and Pheidole dentata have moved in where they used to be. It's nice not getting stung while walking in flip flips in my yard!

My yard is perfect for ants.. lots of different trees, bushes, several types of grass and even patches of just sand. I love that I have such a wide variety of species in my yard. I'm on a half acre and have about 13 species right now! It's so neat seeing all of the activity during all times of morning/day/night.