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Hello from Michigan

Started By steelchair , Sep 21 2014 3:56 AM

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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline steelchair - Posted September 21 2014 - 3:56 AM

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Hello. I am new to keeping ants. Yesteday I caught 14 queens. Most are what I believe are fire ants and a few are pavement ants. I have them in test tube setups for now.

#2 Offline dspdrew - Posted September 21 2014 - 4:21 AM

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Awesome. Welcome.

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#3 Offline Crystals - Posted September 21 2014 - 6:46 AM

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Welcome.

Look forward to seeing how your colonies grow.

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#4 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted September 21 2014 - 9:25 AM

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That is really cool! What fire ants in Michigan? :thinking:

I have both fire ants and pavement ants so if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

#5 Offline steelchair - Posted September 21 2014 - 9:28 AM

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Thanks for the welcomes. I would like to take some pictures for Identification purposes. I am worried about disturbing them though.

#6 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted September 21 2014 - 9:35 AM

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You do not have to worry about disturbing either of these species, fire ants and pavement ants are very good ants for beginners, it is hard to disturb them, they are hardy, both will most likely have workers within a month like mine did (Getting workers in a month is really fast compared to other types of ants.)

#7 Offline steelchair - Posted September 21 2014 - 9:39 AM

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I have been doing some online searching but I'm not sure what kind they are. I have a pond in my yard that is surrounded by colonies. They are bright orange workers. Maybe Solenopsis molestra? I am new to this so I'm not sure.

#8 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted September 21 2014 - 9:43 AM

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Solenopsis molesta is the only Solenopsis up in Michigan I think, there may be others, but chances are they are something of the "Thief ant" part of the Solenopsis genus. I would not know if there is more than that, Antweb doesn't have Michigan yet.

#9 Offline steelchair - Posted September 21 2014 - 10:04 AM

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I just checked on them. One has removed her wings. Several others are cleaning their gasters. They didn't seem to mind the light when I removed the cloth covering the tubes. I tried to get pictures but my battery died.