How to release ants into the wild

[Antmanboy]

Hello I've had my camponotus sayi colony for about 1-2 years now but they recently escaped. I'm so stressed I can't take it anymore so are there any tips on how to release them and where I should? They are native to Texas so they are not invasive. Any help would be appreciated.

[AM1C39]

You should release them in some place that not many people will bother them or be bothered by them. To release them bring there nest to that area and open all possible exit points. If you have them in multiple nests/outworlds you can put it all in a bin, bring it to that place and disassemble it(unconnected the tubes). Leave the nest there for a day or two by then they should have moved out.

[AM1C39]

You could also give the colony to someone, just make sure you are not braking any import/export laws.

[Antmanboy]

I'm gonna release them. I'm too stressed to find them a new home. I'm going to release them for their sake and mine. Thank you for the tips I will release them in a non used part of our yard. I had a good run with them but they gotta go.

[AM1C39]

How big did the colony get? About how many workers?

[Antmanboy]

I'd say 40-65 workers. Originally it was about 30-40 workers. They've about doubled in size I would say.

[AM1C39]

How did they escape? Just curious.

[Antmanboy]

I made the mistake of taking away most of the cotton and not replacing it. They squeezed through and man it sucked.