Harvester ants! Please help

Questions from those who are just starting or considering getting into the ant keeping hobby. If you’re intimidated or confused by the in-depth posts of the other sections of this forum, feel free to post here, and we'll start from square one!

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Amyalgahim
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2022 8:37 pm
Location: Niles, Oh

Harvester ants! Please help

Post: # 96331Post Amyalgahim
Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:37 pm

Before knowing more than we should have, we ordered what we thought were innocent ants. After reading further, they are harvester ants. We read that they can/will bite and burn/very painful. We bought these online at Amazon, a place called Insect Lore Store. We bought these for our 6yo. And now I'm worried that if he bumps it or the dogs do, or if he just gets curious, he will get bite and have a horrible reaction, possibly worse. Please help with any information for the ants.

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antperson24
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: North East Iowa

Re: Harvester ants! Please help

Post: # 96350Post antperson24
Fri Sep 09, 2022 6:30 pm

Amyalgahim wrote:
Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:37 pm
Before knowing more than we should have, we ordered what we thought were innocent ants. After reading further, they are harvester ants. We read that they can/will bite and burn/very painful. We bought these online at Amazon, a place called Insect Lore Store. We bought these for our 6yo. And now I'm worried that if he bumps it or the dogs do, or if he just gets curious, he will get bite and have a horrible reaction, possibly worse. Please help with any information for the ants.
Well, as long as they are in an enclosure and he dose not open it it should be fine. If you decide you don't won't them DO NOT
RELEASE THEM!
This could be very bad for the ecosystem, if you don't want them, then freeze them for at least 24 hours. But over all I would not be too concerned about him getting bit.
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

SolenopsisKeeper
Posts: 2402
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
Location: United States, Florida

Re: Harvester ants! Please help

Post: # 96366Post SolenopsisKeeper
Sat Sep 10, 2022 11:21 am

antperson24 wrote:
Fri Sep 09, 2022 6:30 pm
Amyalgahim wrote:
Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:37 pm
Before knowing more than we should have, we ordered what we thought were innocent ants. After reading further, they are harvester ants. We read that they can/will bite and burn/very painful. We bought these online at Amazon, a place called Insect Lore Store. We bought these for our 6yo. And now I'm worried that if he bumps it or the dogs do, or if he just gets curious, he will get bite and have a horrible reaction, possibly worse. Please help with any information for the ants.
Well, as long as they are in an enclosure and he dose not open it it should be fine. If you decide you don't won't them DO NOT
RELEASE THEM!
This could be very bad for the ecosystem, if you don't want them, then freeze them for at least 24 hours. But over all I would not be too concerned about him getting bit.
If they get loose it won't be a big deal. They won't come with a queen, which means they can't produce females
When you accidentally reply to yourself…

Amyalgahim
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2022 8:37 pm
Location: Niles, Oh

Re: Harvester ants! Please help

Post: # 96436Post Amyalgahim
Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:44 am

Thank you guys for your input! I really appreciate it and feel more at ease.

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antperson24
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: North East Iowa

Re: Harvester ants! Please help

Post: # 96437Post antperson24
Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:52 am

Amyalgahim wrote:
Tue Sep 13, 2022 11:44 am
Thank you guys for your input! I really appreciate it and feel more at ease.
Your welcome! :)
Why keep ants that aren't found in your yard?
There are so many fascinating ants right where you live!
I disagree with the keeping/buying of ants that aren't in your area.

Join Ants, Plants, and Myrmecology: https://discord.gg/BeQuNf8yTN

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