3 replies to this topic

[ctantkeeper]

Can a fully grown colony living in soil be removed from the substrate in its entirety with the use of a berlese funnel trap. If there are any other tools or techniques you would recommend to do so, please let me know.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Not sure a funnel trap would be the best way to separate them from the soil. I'd say it might be easier to keep the soil in a bin connected to their desired nesting area. Let the soil dry out on its own while you keep the nest moist and dark to help entice them in that and not in the soil. Dried out soil can then be removed as the ants move out of it, giving it a final inspection for ants before discarding it for good of course.

Edited by MrILoveTheAnts, February 3 2017 - 12:53 PM.

[drtrmiller]

A funnel trap is to separate small organisms from larger media, such as leaves.

 

It is very difficult to collect entire colonies of soil-dwelling ants, except in the early morning on cool days when the colony, including the queen, may be at the sun-warmed surface, or in a solar mound.  Another exception would be very large ants in desert areas, such as Myrmecia.  Otherwise, you're just likely to cause harm to the colony.

[ctantkeeper]

the species of ant that I am planning to capture nests relatively close the the surface (about approx. 7-9 cm. underground).