842 replies to this topic

[AntsDakota]

I wouldn't think it'd matter, as seeing all the other Pogonomyrmex species around.

[Josh.Antlover]

Hey guys anyone here live near Fairfield California?

Does seeing argentine ants in your area means that it’s too late to find native ants?

I’m in NorCal

[ponerinecat]

Hey guys anyone here live near Fairfield California?

Does seeing argentine ants in your area means that it’s too late to find native ants?

I’m in NorCal

I'm on the other side of Sac, in EDH. No it does not. I have huge amounts of argentines, but I have native species aplenty. Recently argentine populations have gone down, probably due to me destroying any nests I find.

[YsTheAnt]

Hey guys anyone here live near Fairfield California?

Does seeing argentine ants in your area means that it’s too late to find native ants?

I’m in NorCal

Its never too late to find native ants! As long as you get away from developed areas, native ants will be present in abundance. Try a local forest or wilderness area .

[ponerinecat]

Argentines out front, Hypoponera, Pseudomyrmex, Crematogaster, Veromessor, Stigmatomma, Solenopsis, Pheidole, and tons more out back.

[EthanNgo678]

Hey guys anyone here live near Fairfield California?

Does seeing argentine ants in your area means that it’s too late to find native ants?

I’m in NorCal

Around 40 min west of that. 

[Josh.Antlover]

So the best places to go when anting are like places that are a little far from where the houses are that contains mostly argentine ants like big parks, right?

[YsTheAnt]

Yep, places without human development are where you want to go.

[ponerinecat]

So the best places to go when anting are like places that are a little far from where the houses are that contains mostly argentine ants like big parks, right?

mostly, but not always. developed areas can have surprising diversity.

[AntsDakota]

Argentines out front, Hypoponera, Pseudomyrmex, Crematogaster, Veromessor, Stigmatomma, Solenopsis, Pheidole, and tons more out back.

                                                                    ANT WARS 

                                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                                                           EPISODE I

                                                                                          ATTACK OF THE ARGENTINES

                

[Josh.Antlover]

So the best places to go when anting are like places that are a little far from where the houses are that contains mostly argentine ants like big parks, right?

mostly, but not always. developed areas can have surprising diversity.

[Josh.Antlover]

Oh really? I guess I'm not looking around harder in my area. I hope I see some evidence of diversity around my town this coming spring/summer for nuptial flights. Thanks

[OhNoNotAgain]

 

Hey guys anyone here live near Fairfield California?

Does seeing argentine ants in your area means that it’s too late to find native ants?

I’m in NorCal

I'm on the other side of Sac, in EDH. No it does not. I have huge amounts of argentines, but I have native species aplenty. Recently argentine populations have gone down, probably due to me destroying any nests I find.

 

 

How do you destroy their nests? ETA I think their biggest nest is in the walls of the house so um... really dunno what to do about that.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, January 12 2020 - 1:30 PM.

[ponerinecat]

 

 

Hey guys anyone here live near Fairfield California?

Does seeing argentine ants in your area means that it’s too late to find native ants?

I’m in NorCal

I'm on the other side of Sac, in EDH. No it does not. I have huge amounts of argentines, but I have native species aplenty. Recently argentine populations have gone down, probably due to me destroying any nests I find.

 

 

How do you destroy their nests? ETA I think their biggest nest is in the walls of the house so um... really dunno what to do about that.

 

Here they nest under stones and other flat objects. You can stamp on the nest, sealing any tunnels and killing queens/brood. If you stamp hard enough, you can sometimes make the ants not nest there again. They argentines are still here, but avoid nesting near my house and other locations I hunt in. Still see em, but the natives can nest where the argentines can't.

[YsTheAnt]

Baiting works well if you are persistent enough. Use a liquid bait killer right on top of the nest and replace as needed for 1-2 weeks or until all ants die.

Works great for killing argentines. I use a borax bait.

[AntsDakota]

What about pouring gasoline on their nests?

[ponerinecat]

What about pouring gasoline on their nests?

Environmentally unsound. Gasoline kills everything. Event things you want to live.

[JenC]

can't wait for those Camponotus!

[AntsDakota]

 

What about pouring gasoline on their nests?

Environmentally unsound. Gasoline kills everything. Event things you want to live.

But it's Argentines..... (jk I see your point.)

[OhNoNotAgain]

Baiting works well if you are persistent enough. Use a liquid bait killer right on top of the nest and replace as needed for 1-2 weeks or until all ants die.

Works great for killing argentines. I use a borax bait.

 

Okay I might have to try that again. Last time we had a huge invasion from the wall, I tried liquid bait for about 2-3 days. Only a few went for the bait; the rest were busy exploring everywhere else, and there was no reduction in the ant incoming flow. Eventually a small application of Raid to the hole in the wall stopped them completely. I've seen them traveling into and out of exterior ventilation or other openings and the sheer size of the columns - stretching across the entirety of the yard to who-knows-where - and longevity - months on end - rendered me somewhat doubtful about using bait (though I did try laying some (different brand from the other) and did not see a decrease). I may need to try yet a third brand or something and the longer time frame of 2+ weeks (but sorry, if they are coming in they are getting Raided ... after I evacuate my colonies and isopods from the area).

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, January 15 2020 - 11:49 AM.