Trying to get my son started

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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UnrealSparks
Posts: 192
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:45 pm
Location: Turin - Italy

Re: Trying to get my son started

Post: # 54105Post UnrealSparks
Thu Nov 29, 2018 7:41 am

Hi kadinsdel! Welcome to the forum! :)

Considering you mentioned snow I guess it's getting pretty cold in your area and ants are surely hibernating now. So, even if you'd buy a colony, it should be in hibernation (as a GAN Farmer myself I put all of my colonies in hibernation during the cold months).

Unfortunately, for this reason, I'd recommend waiting until Spring. I know 4 more months of waiting are painful, but going outside in search of queens, I can assure you it's one of the best experiences about ant keeping! :D

Do you already know what species are you looking for? And which are present in your region?
Keeping the following colonies:
  • [2x] Camponotus Barbaricus
  • [2x] Lasius Flavus

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UnrealSparks
Posts: 192
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:45 pm
Location: Turin - Italy

Re: Trying to get my son started

Post: # 54362Post UnrealSparks
Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:41 am

When you'll have the chance you could try to take some pictures of them and post them on the forum to get an identification if you want. :)
Keeping the following colonies:
  • [2x] Camponotus Barbaricus
  • [2x] Lasius Flavus

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antnest8
Posts: 1438
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:11 pm
Location: Detroit, MI

Re: Trying to get my son started

Post: # 54370Post antnest8
Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:59 am

Welcome kadinsdel! I do agree with the idea of waiting until spring. It could be hard because I had to wait also. But when the ants start flying it will all make up for it. Here is a list of ants that you can look out for in spring.

1. prenolepis imparis: these orangeish brown queens are hard to find but are the first to fly. also known as the winter ant these ants like the cold over warmth these colonies are also polygenous. look out for them in February-May when the temperatures reach 70 F (they flew in late April last year)
2. Any Camponotus: these large queens are easy to see are are my personal favorite currently, they fly during may-july and are easy to find plus they are kept a lot so there is lots of info on them.
3. Lasius umbratus: these social parasites can be found during winter even! found under rocks and such. the only problem with them is that they are extremely hard to keep and have only been able to be kept for the last 5+ years. also they have a tendency to die randomly before they find a host colony.
4. Myrmica: these queens can be found walking outside after winter looking for food for there brood because of their semi-claustral nature. fun to keep and polygenous these queens are OK for beginners (They Were Mikey Bustos fist ants!) the only downside it that these ants can sting

Hope you found this helpful
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

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