17 replies to this topic

[SamKeepsAnts]

I am digging up a small colony of pheidole moerens but do not know how deep they dig they are in my lawn and by putting food out I have found the general area of their nest and dug 5 inches in the ground in a square foot but only got workers no queen or brood 

 

I would like to know how deep their nests are and any other help for digging up nests.

Edited by dspdrew, January 2 2017 - 12:14 PM.
Fixed misspelled species name

[Vendayn]

They only have one queen in each colony. Though they seem slightly interconnected possibly with their colonies. The queens are also very very small. On top of that. The queens also get injured VERY easily.

 

I've did a bit of digging into their colonies and wouldn't recommend it to be honest. Far more likely to destroy the colony or injure/kill the queen than actually finding one.

 

You might get lucky and they could be residing in a piece of wood, I found a colony this way before of this species. That would be the only time you could really find one.

 

Also do note, their lifespan is VERY short, but they grow quick. Even the queens don't live long.

[SamKeepsAnts]

ok do you know when they have nuptial flights also do they do nuptial flights more than once a year because of their short life?

[Alabama Anter]

I am digging up a small colony of Pheidole morens but do not know how deep they dig they are in my lawn and by putting food out I have found the general area of their nest and dug 5 inches in the ground in a square foot but only got workers no queen or brood

I would like to know how deep their nests are and any other help for digging up nests.

Nice you destroyed a nest! Why don't you just wait for a nuptial flight? (The fly in the fall. Google them)

Edited by Alabama Anter, January 1 2017 - 3:31 PM.

[Vendayn]

Not sure. Drew found a bunch at night when he was blacklighting I believe, or maybe by a light or something he found some. It was in the Summer though if I recall. He didn't have any luck with his. 

 

Their colonies can get to a nice size. The one by my garage has grown quite large, bigger than any of the others ones I've come across. Maybe somewhere around 500 workers+soldiers. So quite a nice sized colony. Its been there for a couple years now, this will be the third year. Only ever see them when I put out a bunch of food (like crushed walnut) for them. Occasionally see workers in the day, but not often.

 

Also, to the above person. It doesn't really matter if he digs them up in my opinion. They aren't native, so fair game as far as I'm concerned.

[Alabama Anter]

Meh, Just because they are invasive doesn't mean they matter

[Vendayn]

They aren't really invasive, just not native. They are the least aggressive non-native ants I've come across. Very shy ants, any slight disturbance and they run and hide back in their colony. Rather harmless. Still not native though, and personally, don't care if someone digs up or/and kills non-native ants. People do it all the time to Solenopsis invicta and Argentine ants. 

 

I'd think more harm comes from having non-native ants around, than actually native ants. I'd love to have tons of Pogonomyrmex, native Pheidole and all the native species of ants that are in California. Sadly, urban areas and ant introductions have lowered or gotten rid of native ants entirely in many areas. 

 

But that kinda goes to the silly topic someone made on Antdude's forum about having non-native wildlife is better for the environment. Dunno what wacko would think that lol. I know this is about digging up ants, which I wouldn't agree doing with native ants. But, to me, non-native ants are fair game.

[dspdrew]

Around here they seem to fly in July when it gets really humid.

[Alabama Anter]

They aren't really invasive, just not native. They are the least aggressive non-native ants I've come across. Very shy ants, any slight disturbance and they run and hide back in their colony. Rather harmless. Still not native though, and personally, don't care if someone digs up or/and kills non-native ants. People do it all the time to Solenopsis invicta and Argentine ants.

I'd think more harm comes from having non-native ants around, than actually native ants. I'd love to have tons of Pogonomyrmex, native Pheidole and all the native species of ants that are in California. Sadly, urban areas and ant introductions have lowered or gotten rid of native ants entirely in many areas.

But that kinda goes to the silly topic someone made on Antdude's forum about having non-native wildlife is better for the environment. Dunno what wacko would think that lol. I know this is about digging up ants, which I wouldn't agree doing with native ants. But, to me, non-native ants are fair game.

Makes sense.

[Leo]

i dug some pheidole up once

[Salmon]

i dug some pheidole up once

How'd that go?

[1000101011]

i clicked on this because i thought it said pheidole memes.

 

just thought i'd share that with you 

i'll go now...

[Leo]

 

i dug some pheidole up once

How'd that go?

 

fine i got most of them along with 4 queens

[SamKeepsAnts]

 

 

i dug some pheidole up once

How'd that go?

 

fine i got most of them along with 4 queens

 

How deep where they?

[Leo]

 

 

 

i dug some pheidole up once

How'd that go?

 

fine i got most of them along with 4 queens

 

How deep where they?

 

they were about 30 cm deep in my largest plant pot

[Connectimyrmex]

Hawaiian Pheidole Megacephala never fly, and I get my queens by flipping rocks. Try doing that, because it is effective and easy to get workers and brood. The rocks can also be replaced after, thus not truly decimating the nest.

[Salmon]

i clicked on this because i thought it said pheidole memes.
 
just thought i'd share that with you 
i'll go now...

[Aaron567]

I am digging up a small colony of pheidole morens but do not know how deep they dig they are in my lawn and by putting food out I have found the general area of their nest and dug 5 inches in the ground in a square foot but only got workers no queen or brood
I would like to know how deep their nests are and any other help for digging up nests.

Nice you destroyed a nest! Why don't you just wait for a nuptial flight? (The fly in the fall. Google them)

Pheidole moerens fly in the middle of the summer.. for me at least