7 replies to this topic

[Ants_Texas]

I plan on going all the way out from Katy to Midland, Texas and maybe even farther to catch queens during the summer. This will be a roadtrip lasting about a week as I plan on traveling to multiple West-Texan cities. Does anybody know how to make this a non-stressful ride for the queens? I don't want them dying on me as I go, as this will be hours and hours of driving. 

 

Why?

 

Well I won't go on a rant right now, but I can sum it up in two words:

 

Solenopsis invicta.

[Works4TheGood]

I presume you mean that S. Invicta is the reason why you can't find queens locally?

I suppose that if I were in your shoes, I'd probably pack them some place dark, cool, and shock-absorbant, like an open cooler filled with wash clthes, and then use the AC to reduce the temp and thus their metabolism. It's probably tempting to add a coolant in the cooler, but I'd probably resist this temptation because it could easily get too cold.

... that's what I'd suspect would work the best. Hopefully someone else who has done something similar will offer you advice from the angle of experience.

[Ants_Texas]

I presume you mean that S. Invicta is the reason why you can't find queens locally?

I suppose that if I were in your shoes, I'd probably pack them some place dark, cool, and shock-absorbant, like an open cooler filled with wash clthes, and then use the AC to reduce the temp and thus their metabolism. It's probably tempting to add a coolant in the cooler, but I'd probably resist this temptation because it could easily get too cold.

... that's what I'd suspect would work the best. Hopefully someone else who has done something similar will offer you advice from the angle of experience.

Yeah we've got quite the fire ant problem in Texas. Good suggestion, I'll be trying out various ideas.

[nurbs]

I plan on going all the way out from Katy to Midland, Texas and maybe even farther to catch queens during the summer. This will be a roadtrip lasting about a week as I plan on traveling to multiple West-Texan cities. Does anybody know how to make this a non-stressful ride for the queens? I don't want them dying on me as I go, as this will be hours and hours of driving. 

 

Why?

 

Well I won't go on a rant right now, but I can sum it up in two words:

 

Solenopsis invicta.

 

Yep, I hear ya. Grew up and lived all over Texas until my 30s - Denton, College Station, Sugar Land, San Antonio, Carrollton, Dallas, Austin - RIFA is all there is. Oh and Dairy Queens. Lots of Dairy Queens.

 

Every summer, my dad and I would go to Home Depot and grab a box of Amdro just to kill the the mounds that would pop up every week on our yard. And whenever it rained, there would always be flights. This was decades ago, so I'm sure it is even more invaded now.

 

I've also lived in Atlanta GA and South Carolina in my youth - same story there . It's why when some individuals on this forum who have never even set foot on US soil (much less lived in Texas) make this massive huge apocalyptic deal about TX selling RIFAs for $5-10 through GAN, all I keep thinking was "were there even any buyers?!" And yes, before someone puts words into my mouth and spreads more misinformation, I am against selling S. invicta - just saying it is not the huge world ending dilemma that some make it out to be.

 

Anyway, head out West to the borders - Big Bend, El Paso, Amarillo. You'll find Pogonomyrmex for sure. You also have humid Houston - which has tons of Atta texana, a beautiful ant. You might even find Atta mexicana near Big bend?

 

Good luck! Report back on what you find next season 

[Ants_Texas]

Before selling RIFA was illegal I tried to do it, even going down to $3. No buyers ever. I don’t even think they would’ve taken it for free. This was when I was new to the hobby, though. I’m also considering going to Amarillo, but I’m not sure where to find Atta in Houston.

Edited by Ants_Texas, November 7 2017 - 4:54 AM.

[nurbs]

Before selling RIFA was illegal I tried to do it, even going down to $3. No buyers ever. I don’t even think they would’ve taken it for free. This was when I was new to the hobby, though. I’m also considering going to Amarillo, but I’m not sure where to find Atta in Houston.

 

Yeah, I believe you. No harm done. There are some attention seeking members here who love to shout at the top of their lungs and play "judge jury and executioner" - like telling members whom they have never met that they "deserve federal prison". But don't let all that nonsense scare you. As long as you know not to sell RIFA, it's fine.

 

My family and siblings still live in TX, actually. But none are into ants. If I were to guess for Attas, drive along the outskirts of Houston along I-10 or 45 may net you something. Look for dense trees along the highway among the grass plains near water (make sure you are also not trespassing on private property) and look for foraging either in the evening or late at night. Bring a headlamp and maybe a friend! Once you know they are there, look for flights in the Spring or Summer months. Good luck!

Edited by nurbs, November 7 2017 - 2:37 PM.

[Spamdy]

 

Before selling RIFA was illegal I tried to do it, even going down to $3. No buyers ever. I don’t even think they would’ve taken it for free. This was when I was new to the hobby, though. I’m also considering going to Amarillo, but I’m not sure where to find Atta in Houston.

 

Yeah, I believe you. No harm done. There are some attention seeking members here who love to shout at the top of their lungs and play "judge jury and executioner" - like telling members whom they have never met that they "deserve federal prison". But don't let all that nonsense scare you. As long as you know not to sell RIFA, it's fine.

 

My family and siblings still live in TX, actually. But none are into ants. If I were to guess for Attas, drive along the outskirts of Houston along I-10 or 45 may net you something. Look for dense trees along the highway among the grass plains near water (make sure you are also not trespassing on private property) and look for foraging either in the evening or late at night. Bring a headlamp and maybe a friend! Once you know they are there, look for flights in the Spring or Summer months. Good luck!

 

There are actually lots of Trachymyrmex in Sugar Land. Most are around the local neighborhoods as they don't use pesticides compared to the rest of Houston. Solenopsis invicta is not as dominant there too.

[Ants_Texas]

 

Before selling RIFA was illegal I tried to do it, even going down to $3. No buyers ever. I don’t even think they would’ve taken it for free. This was when I was new to the hobby, though. I’m also considering going to Amarillo, but I’m not sure where to find Atta in Houston.

 

Yeah, I believe you. No harm done. There are some attention seeking members here who love to shout at the top of their lungs and play "judge jury and executioner" - like telling members whom they have never met that they "deserve federal prison". But don't let all that nonsense scare you. As long as you know not to sell RIFA, it's fine.

 

My family and siblings still live in TX, actually. But none are into ants. If I were to guess for Attas, drive along the outskirts of Houston along I-10 or 45 may net you something. Look for dense trees along the highway among the grass plains near water (make sure you are also not trespassing on private property) and look for foraging either in the evening or late at night. Bring a headlamp and maybe a friend! Once you know they are there, look for flights in the Spring or Summer months. Good luck!

 

Hopefully I'll catch some Atta. That would be amazing. Any cities in eastern or southern Texas I should be looking in to?