Digging up new colonies

Discussions about the care and keeping of ants

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Opinion on digging up colonies

Don’t do it
1
20%
Only do it with invasive species
1
20%
Don’t do it with native species(different from one before.Ex Odontomachus ruginodis isn’t invasive or native)
0
No votes
It fine to do it
3
60%
 
Total votes: 5

SolenopsisKeeper
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Location: United States, Florida

Digging up new colonies

Post: # 86135Post SolenopsisKeeper
Wed Dec 22, 2021 12:06 pm

Guys I dug up a trap jaw ant colony that has 30 workers. Could I get a queen age estimate so I can estimate her remaining lifespan? Also, should I have found brood? Btw it is winter in Florida, although it is 50 degrees.
When you accidentally reply to yourself…

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AM1C39
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:17 pm
Location: Canada, ON
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Re: Digging up new colonies

Post: # 86136Post AM1C39
Wed Dec 22, 2021 12:32 pm

I would only suggest capturing a wild colony if you believe you can do it withought causing mass amounts of death, and also only if you have already made the nest or setup you plan on keeping them in.
My current colonies:
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]

AntsLuxembourg
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Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:17 am
Location: Luxembourg
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Re: Digging up new colonies

Post: # 86142Post AntsLuxembourg
Thu Dec 23, 2021 1:55 am

It is a good question. I don't know too much about what ant species hibernates and which isn't, which is why I always ask for the exact species name. But in any case I wouldn't really try to dig up ant colonies. Mostly because you might harm the queen. I would only do it to either get ride of the ants or if I really wanted, I would most likely start to dig them up with a spoon or small shovel to be able to dissect the dirt and look through the nest more careful.

But I would just leave the colony at peace and feed them if they are a local species.
Doing some proper research is the best way to start an antcolony.

Need help or want to help? https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=18153#p70566

Currently not keeping any ants anymore.

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AntsAntsAnts
Posts: 365
Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2021 1:10 am
Location: Australia

Re: Digging up new colonies

Post: # 86194Post AntsAntsAnts
Sat Dec 25, 2021 5:03 am

The two reasons you shouldn't dig up colonies is cuz u might injure ants and also the colony may not become used to captivity
keeping:
all my queens died :(
got a sugar ant colony started :)

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