10 replies to this topic

[ANTSANDMORE11]

Sorry if this seems like spamming...

[RushmoreAnts]

As long as the seller is from your state, which by the GAN project's rules they all should be, then yes.

[ANTSANDMORE11]

thank You!

[bmb1bee]

GAN tends to have scams and ridiculously overpriced ants, as well as vendors selling nonnative species sometimes. It's better to buy from vendors here on Formiculture and some Discord vendors. There are quite a few reputable ones out there.

[ANTSANDMORE11]

Is it ok to buy from locals in my city that I can meet with, or is this still a scam?

Oh also can anyone recommend good substrate for pheidole californica?

[RushmoreAnts]

Is it ok to buy from locals in my city that I can meet with, or is this still a scam?

Oh also can anyone recommend good substrate for pheidole californica?

If you know what you're doing, you can discern a scammer from a legitimate vendor. If you can't tell Pheidole californica, a native species, from Pheidole megacephala, a highly destructive invasive species, it is quite risky. As previously mentioned, the Formiculture vendors are on average much safer and more trustworthy than your average GAN vendor. 

 

If you need to go to the store late at night, do you go to the sketchy one in a high-crime neighborhood, or do you go to the well-lit one in a quiet, suburban neighborhood? You could go to the sketchy one, get your stuff, and walk out just fine. There's a higher chance, though, that you might get caught up in a robbery or drive by shooting than if you were to go to the nice one.

 

If you decide to go with GAN, you could get a good queen and walk out just fine. There's a higher chance, though, that you might get a cheap temu-quality queen or an illegally imported queen.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, May 22 2025 - 10:18 PM.

[ANTSANDMORE11]

Ok I have already been sent the contacts to the seller, and they are only based in Irvine, but, does this look suspicious? 

• Species: (Red BIG - HEADED ANTS) Pheidole californica email: antsgarten@gmail.com
• Colony Size: 5+ workers with larva and eggs with an active queen!
• Housing: Glass Test tube
• Price: $125 USD Prices are negotiable zemveestaff@gmail.com
• # of Colonies: 1

Are there any signs to discern pheidole californica from other species?

Edited by ANTSANDMORE11, May 23 2025 - 5:48 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Ok I have already been sent the contacts to the seller, and they are only based in Irvine, but, does this look suspicious? 

• Species: (Red BIG - HEADED ANTS) Pheidole californica email: antsgarten@gmail.com
• Colony Size: 5+ workers with larva and eggs with an active queen!
• Housing: Glass Test tube
• Price: $125 USD Prices are negotiable zemveestaff@gmail.com
• # of Colonies: 1

Are there any signs to discern pheidole californica from other species?

Definitely a scam. No Pheidole californica is worth $125. The colony is also likely severely neglected and in poor condition, as they fly in the summer, so that colony is already ~10 months old and only has 5 workers. It should have several hundred.

[ANTSANDMORE11]

Should I call the seller or email them? I kind of want to see if the ant colony is actually real. should I or should I find another seller or site?

[RushmoreAnts]

Should I call the seller or email them? I kind of want to see if the ant colony is actually real. should I or should I find another seller or site?

As I just said, it is a scam, do not contact them. Find a different seller that doesn't charge $125 for one tiny queen ant.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, May 25 2025 - 1:27 PM.

[ANTSANDMORE11]

thank you!