Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

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davidflowers
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:41 am
Location: Alabama

Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34630Post davidflowers
Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:04 pm

Hey guys, I just got accepted into the forum and I've been really interested in starting my new Ant Colony. I've been fascinated by my local Camponotus (Carpenter) Ants, and I have about 5-6 nests I keep a check on inside of trees near the river. It's near the end of March right now, and I need to know when nuptial flights usually are for Carpenter Ants. I live in Alabama. Any help is appreciated. Thanks guys !

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antnest8
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:11 pm
Location: Detroit, MI

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34649Post antnest8
Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:01 pm

in michigan we have flights a may but you might have them at april i would look for them from april-july
they are very easy to ID from their size
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

davidflowers
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:41 am
Location: Alabama

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34650Post davidflowers
Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:05 pm

I don't have much of a problem identifying Queens from workers but I haven't seen any out and about yet. I found a dead Queen that I thought could be hibernating, however she was in fact dead. Where should I look for Queens during Nuptial Season, what kind of structures do they normally seek.

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antnest8
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Location: Detroit, MI

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34660Post antnest8
Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:13 pm

you could make a black light trap if you really want to get fancy but i find all of mine by taking a walk and looking on the pavement/concrete. also bodies of water. you will find drowning ant queens(even though it is hard to drown them) in a pool pond or birdbath
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

davidflowers
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:41 am
Location: Alabama

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34664Post davidflowers
Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:58 pm

Hmm doubt I'll be able to do the black light, I've located some nests. Should I look by the entrances to those ? I've tried searching pavement and sidewalks to no avail yet. Hope I can find a Queen this season. So far I've located about 5 nests in my local park.

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antnest8
Posts: 1438
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:11 pm
Location: Detroit, MI

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34665Post antnest8
Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:21 pm

don't worry it's still really early in the ant season and yes you can look at the entrances to find NOT fertilized queen alates if you find some that means you should really look for the next couple days. constant vigilance is your best friend
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

davidflowers
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:41 am
Location: Alabama

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34667Post davidflowers
Tue Mar 27, 2018 3:28 pm

Sounds good, I hope I can start my own colony. I've been feeding my local Carpenter Ants honey and fruit to help with their colonies inside the trees. My treat for them letting me spectate their activity. I'm gonna try to go at night and see if I have any luck then, less people to worry about also

PwnerPie
Posts: 105
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:59 pm
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34676Post PwnerPie
Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:07 am

Checking the current nest is good to find out when they will fly. If you see queens around the entrances of a nest, they are getting ready to fly. But generally you will find them while walking on sidewalks from April-Sept. I found 1 in Aug in a parking lot, and 1 in Sept on a side walk (in Washington State). Really it needs to be 70+ for them to even think about flying.
Keeper of:
1x Formica Pacifica
2x Camponotus Modoc
1x Tetramorium Immigrans
2x Lasius Sp

Founding:
3x Lasius Sp
2x Formica Argentea
2x Myrmica Rubra

GAN Farmer: 4 Colonies sold
Goal: Supply school science classes with colonies for learning.

davidflowers
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:41 am
Location: Alabama

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34678Post davidflowers
Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:25 am

It's currently 75 and we will have some warm days down here in Alabama and I will try to get out as much as possible and keep a look for Queens. I really hope they start flying soon

Rhetorik
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Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:51 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: Help w/ Carpenter Ant Nuptial Flights

Post: # 34689Post Rhetorik
Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:21 pm

Collecting queens at or near the nest isn't advised, better chance of finding a mated queen a short distance away.

Usually find them on the edge of sidewalks and curbs.
Yaaas my queen
-Me

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