25 replies to this topic

[DrygonKing]

I am interested in getting a Cephalotes sp. ant colony but was wondering the difficulty of this species.

[LC3]

Cephalotes isn’t found in Canada so not sure how you’re going to obtain them, that being said it seems like a pretty difficult species.

[rbarreto]

I'm also interested in hearing about this Canadian Cephalotes sp.   

 

*EDIT* This was sarcasm.

Edited by rbarreto, June 13 2018 - 1:14 PM.

[DrygonKing]

I was going to ship them. I was just wondering so I could know wether to get them now or later.

[LC3]

That would be against the law unless you have a permit, and probably still against the law from wherever they’re coming from unless the seller also has a permit.

Edited by LC3, June 13 2018 - 12:24 PM.

[rbarreto]

I noticed in your signature you mention that you want to keep Carebara diversa, Myrmecocystus, and Odontomachus. Unfortunately what LC3 said applies to these species as well and unless you plan on moving or somehow acquire a permit you will not be able to keep these species.

[DrygonKing]

It is legal for me to ship them from England or Australia as long as I’m in canada and they are not considered a pest and I don’t like walk up to the police say I’m shipping ants into Canada. From what I heard it’s one of those grey zones that as long as you don't ask they don’t care. same with keeping chickens in my area. They are not actively hunting chicken keepers but if you where to ask them or a neighbor complained then they would have to do something.

Edited by DrygonKing, June 13 2018 - 1:50 PM.

[gcsnelling]

One of the worst beginner species.

[rbarreto]

It is legal for me to ship them from England or Australia as long as I’m in canada and they are not considered a pest and I don’t like walk up to the police say I’m shipping ants into Canada. From what I heard it’s one of those grey zones that as long as you don't ask they don’t care. same with keeping chickens in my area. They are not actively hunting chicken keepers but if you where to ask them or a neighbor complained then they would have to do something.

Good luck with that.........

Edited by rbarreto, June 13 2018 - 2:52 PM.

[DrygonKing]

It is legal for me to ship them from England or Australia as long as I’m in canada and they are not considered a pest and I don’t like walk up to the police say I’m shipping ants into Canada. From what I heard it’s one of those grey zones that as long as you don't ask they don’t care. same with keeping chickens in my area. They are not actively hunting chicken keepers but if you where to ask them or a neighbor complained then they would have to do something.

Good luck with that.........

You sound sceptical. It’s not California over here. We are sooooo much more chill. And aren’t slapping warning signs on everything. I can legally ship a queen ant from anywhere in Canada and from England and I’m not sure but I am 99.999999% sure Australia to

One of the worst beginner species.

Ok thanks for the info

[gcsnelling]

I seriously doubt legally to Australia. They are extremely tough regarding import of potentially invasive species.

[rbarreto]

 

 

It is legal for me to ship them from England or Australia as long as I’m in canada and they are not considered a pest and I don’t like walk up to the police say I’m shipping ants into Canada. From what I heard it’s one of those grey zones that as long as you don't ask they don’t care. same with keeping chickens in my area. They are not actively hunting chicken keepers but if you where to ask them or a neighbor complained then they would have to do something.

Good luck with that.........

You sound sceptical. It’s not California over here. We are sooooo much more chill. And aren’t slapping warning signs on everything. I can legally ship a queen ant from anywhere in Canada and from England and I’m not sure but I am 99.999999% sure Australia to 

 

 

Do you mind showing me were you got this information? I'm just curious.

[Canadian anter]

Just my two cents here.

 

I will say shipping ants to Canada is pretty easy and it has been done by a forum member here. However, I do not condone this. It is still illegal and can result in fines upwards of 10,000 dollars

[YsTheAnt]

Hah, I wonder if this is how Solenopsis invicta came to the US... Must've come in on a shipment container bound for some Antscanada Fan's house, only to be poorly sealed and the colony escaping. The poor kid ordered two (ant obviously both escaped) and you got yourself a fresh population or "fire ants".

All exaggerated theories aside, not only does buying ants from Australia and Asia risk involving yourself in illegal activities, it is harmful to the environment. Some guy might sell you Parponera in a box of dirt, and a black crazy ant colony might as well hitchhike in it. Before you know it, your mistake kills off boatloads of native ants.

And besides, ants from out of your area are terribly difficult to keep alive. Desert ants won't do well in cold, medium-high humidity places, mountain ants won't do well in dry, hot places. If you are just beginning the hobby, I doubt you will be able to keep all, if any of the listed ants successfully.

Do everyone and everything around you a favor and stick to stuff native to at least your country. You won't be able to keep Myrmecocystus alive if you are a beginner, along with probably Cephalotes Spp. (Note Spp., referring to multiple species, not Ssp. I would italicize the species names but I'm on mobile at the moment).

Edited by YsTheAnt, June 13 2018 - 8:50 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

To be clear on what species are easy to keep, none of the ones that you appear to want are easy (far from it actually). Myrmecocystus being the easiest. However, I do agree with previous statements being that you shouldn't ship them into Canada. Based on your signature, the ones you have listed that you want are very easy to keep. Perhaps Tetramorium would be a good choice if it is in your area.

Edited by AntsAreUs, June 13 2018 - 8:50 PM.

[Leo]

Just saying....

carebara is hard, I have a queen in my pocket but she may not make it.

I have had 23 odontomachus queens and colonies, 3 laid eggs, 1 had larvae, 1 had pupae. All of them died. AND they were native.

cataulacus is basically the turtle ants here and THEY ARE DARNED HARD. 

 

I am keeping myrmecia AND 12 carebara queens, none have larvae. Also attempted cataulacus and Cephalotes please just don't if you are a beginner. 

[DrygonKing]

I was told from a friend who ships insects for his iguana from the UK. He also did a ant queen for the uk to. And I can ship things from other Provence’s too. I know that for sure.

[DrygonKing]

That is like my bucket list of ants for later. I’m not getting them now and probably not for a,few years. That’s why it says “when more experienced”.

[rbarreto]

You need a permit to import ANY species other than some of the ones listed in Appendix 1 in the link below.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-pests-invasive-species/directives/imports/d-12-02/eng/1432586422006/1432586423037#a5

 

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis is the only ant listed as "No Permit Required" in Appendix 1 but I assume that is because it it also found in Canada.

[DrygonKing]

Ok then. Chill out.