What should I do about this colony?

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MichaelJones
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Arizona

What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18102Post MichaelJones
Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:39 pm

There is a wild colony outside my house, I want to try to get them into my omni nest without flooding or digging them up. I left the nest and a tub right against their nest for a few days and all they did was eat the food and drink the sweet water that I left. What should I do that would get them to move but not in too much stress?

xTNxANTMANx
Posts: 416
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:03 am
Location: Western Tennessee

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18103Post xTNxANTMANx
Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:58 pm

If it's a wild colony that's already set up I highly doubt there's much you could do that would make them want to move in your nest. Without digging them up I wouldn't think there would be another way honestly.
Keeping:
Camponotus subbarbatus
Formica pallidefulva x2
Formica subsericea x4
Lasius sp
Tetramorium immigrans x2
Dorymyrmex bureni

Founding:
Formica pallidefulva
Unknown sp x2

Martialis
Posts: 1576
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:30 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18105Post Martialis
Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:08 pm

Don't dig up mature colonies. They most likely find their nest more suitable.
Keeper of

Selliing:

MichaelJones
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Arizona

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18106Post MichaelJones
Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:53 pm

xTNxANTMANx wrote:
Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:58 pm
If it's a wild colony that's already set up I highly doubt there's much you could do that would make them want to move in your nest. Without digging them up I wouldn't think there would be another way honestly.
So basically I should leave them alone and just find a mated queen?

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Batspiderfish
Posts: 3315
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
Location: Maine

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18107Post Batspiderfish
Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:01 pm

MichaelJones wrote:
Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:53 pm
xTNxANTMANx wrote:
Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:58 pm
If it's a wild colony that's already set up I highly doubt there's much you could do that would make them want to move in your nest. Without digging them up I wouldn't think there would be another way honestly.
So basically I should leave them alone and just find a mated queen?
Yup! The mating season isn't far away (except for in certain places which are getting 1-2 feet of snow tonight.)
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

Serafine

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18111Post Serafine
Wed Mar 15, 2017 3:40 am

Which species? I doubt anyone would complain if you dig up Solenopsis invicta (Imported fire ants, if you're ready for the challenge). Pheidole megacephalia (Big-headed ants), Linepithemia humile (Argentine ants) or another highly invasive species. Other (native) species should better be left alone, the chance of injuring the queen is very high anyway.

MichaelJones
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Arizona

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18146Post MichaelJones
Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:41 am

Serafine wrote:
Wed Mar 15, 2017 3:40 am
Which species? I doubt anyone would complain if you dig up Solenopsis invicta (Imported fire ants, if you're ready for the challenge). Pheidole megacephalia (Big-headed ants), Linepithemia humile (Argentine ants) or another highly invasive species. Other (native) species should better be left alone, the chance of injuring the queen is very high anyway.
It's the Dorymyrmex Insanus

Martialis
Posts: 1576
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:30 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: What should I do about this colony?

Post: # 18147Post Martialis
Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:43 am

MichaelJones wrote:
Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:41 am
Serafine wrote:
Wed Mar 15, 2017 3:40 am
Which species? I doubt anyone would complain if you dig up Solenopsis invicta (Imported fire ants, if you're ready for the challenge). Pheidole megacephalia (Big-headed ants), Linepithemia humile (Argentine ants) or another highly invasive species. Other (native) species should better be left alone, the chance of injuring the queen is very high anyway.
It's the Dorymyrmex Insanus
Leave them alone.
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