Awesome Idea

[RubyAntKeeper77]

I had a idea to get a wild colony of (fire) ants, what if I stick a tube into the only opening of the nest, and then at the other end of the tube to a man made nest. Is there a way to get nest to the best conditions to get the queen into the new nest? I think it would be awesome to get a wild colony!

[antperson24]

I had a idea to get a wild colony of (fire) ants, what if I stick a tube into the only opening of the nest, and then at the other end of the tube to a man made nest. Is there a way to get nest to the best conditions to get the queen into the new nest? I think it would be awesome to get a wild colony!

I highly doubt the queen would come up to the test tube/nest, normally the queens are quite away below ground. But you could look under rocks, sometimes the queens will be under those. Just be carful so you don't get stung.

[RubyAntKeeper77]

AntsCanada sometimes talks about collecting colony’s but no demonstrations.

Is there a way to get wild ant colonys?

[Antlover41157]

AntsCanada sometimes talks about collecting colony’s but no demonstrations.

Is there a way to get wild ant colonys?

It's difficult to dig up wild colonies, however sometimes founding queens can be found under flipped rocks, if your talking about Myrmica fire ants, they have very shallow nests under leaf litter, however I think a better way is to find queens foraging because they are semi-claustral.

[antperson24]

I have actually found a Myrmica colony in a flower put one time, queen and all! I agree with Antlover41157. When they're foraging is a good time to catch one. Formica are really easy to find under rocks.

[RubyAntKeeper77]

I have a huge (fire) ant colony near my home, could I dig it up and get a queen? How deep do queens stay in their nests?

Is there a place to get huge colony from a Gan farmer in Wyoming?

[antperson24]

I have a huge (fire) ant colony near my home, could I dig it up and get a queen? How deep do queens stay in their nests?

Is there a place to get huge colony from a Gan farmer in Wyoming?

You would likely kill a lot of workers, and possibly the queen. I think queens normally stay 2-6 feet under ground. It would be almost impossible to find the queen. You could try setting a rock on their mound, and after a few weeks lift it up and see if the queen has gone under the rock.

[RubyAntKeeper77]

Thanks for the idea

[AM1C39]

And a very usefull tool is an anspiration device. They are easy to make and makes the collection prosses so much easier. Here's a link to a tutorial on how to make one: https://www.formiculture.com/topic/8271-diy-insect-aspirator-photo-guide/ Good luck and happy hunting!