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Hello, another rookie from England

Started By subfeeder , Jul 7 2025 2:52 AM

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4 replies to this topic

#1 Offline subfeeder - Posted July 7 2025 - 2:52 AM

subfeeder

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Hello,

Just joined up as I'm wanting to start keeping ants.

I did an Ecology degree a long time ago and was fascinated with ant behaviour and genetics.

I'm finally in a position to have a decent attempt at this.

Hoping to use this forum for advice and guidance

John 


  • RushmoreAnts and rptraut like this

#2 Online ANTdrew - Posted July 7 2025 - 3:32 AM

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Welcome to FC!
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted July 7 2025 - 4:14 AM

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Welcome!


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 Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

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

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My Micro Ants Journal

#4 Offline amerikansturm - Posted July 14 2025 - 6:33 PM

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Welcome!


There are four things which are little on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer

Proverbs 30:24-25 NKJV

#5 Offline Flu1d - Posted July 14 2025 - 7:08 PM

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Hello,
Just joined up as I'm wanting to start keeping ants.
I did an Ecology degree a long time ago and was fascinated with ant behaviour and genetics.
I'm finally in a position to have a decent attempt at this.
Hoping to use this forum for advice and guidance
John

We are glad to have you here! Keep us updated, have you been able to catch a queen yet?

I highly recommend trying a blacklight setup. I have mine turned on around 45 minutes before the sun comes up for early morning species, and I have it on about 10 minutes before the sun goes down until about 2 hours into pitch black nighttime for night flying species.

For day species, your best bet is around buildings, on the pavement (streets, gutters, sidewalks, tracked areas at public parks), fences, etc. Keep in mind, you can find queens scrambling around for a place to found during all hours, up to 3-5 hours after a nuptial is your best bet.

Most favorable conditions for queen hunting, at least in my area, are as follows: 3 days after a rain, 8 mph/13 kph (miles per hour/kilometers per hour) or less, and at least 70+°F (21.111+°C). That being said, I have had luck up to 5 days after a solid, good rain and wind speeds up to 10 mph/16 kph as well as the temp being as low as 68°F (20°C).. Just not as often.

Here is an example of my blacklight setup:
0130231746-HDR.jpg

Get a blacklight (I use a powerful 40w blacklight, therefore I, and any other person with a blacklight over 15 watts of power should use a pair of 100% UV blocking protective glasses [not sunglasses]). I have a pair that fit over my seeing glasses. I also use an headlamp on my head to illuminate my area (blacklights are dark) when I'm looking at the setup. I recommend it!

Just get a blacklight, a white sheet and possibly a table to lay the sheet and set the light on so you're not bending over (some people lay it on the ground, some hang it, etc).

Edited by Flu1d, July 14 2025 - 7:10 PM.

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