Capturing Queen Ants

Ants are interesting insects to observe, especially when they are in captivity, such as in an ant farm or an insect habitat. Though they are strong insects, their colonies will not last without a queen ant. Queen ants can be captured and placed in an ant habitat, adding longevity to the colony. Catching a queen ant requires patience and planning, but it is well worth the effort; a well-cared-for queen ant can live for many years, and the colony can flourish.

Function

Queen ants are necessary to increase ant populations. Once mature, the queen will spend her years laying eggs, while the worker ants care for the offspring and run the colony. Many ant colonies only have 1 queen ant, while some types of ant colonies have at least 2 queens.

Types

There are over 10,000 species of ants recognized by scientists, though many more species are believed to exist. Some of the most-common types of ants are the carpenter ant, army ant, ghost ant and thief ant. In every case the queen ant will be larger and will have wings before she mates. It is wise to research the type of queen ant that will be captured and to create a habitat that is appropriate for the species.

Time Frame

Capturing a queen ant is best done during the spring, when most ant species are mating. Catch the queen after her wings fall off. If the queen is caught before her wings have fallen off, she will not be fertile, so she will never lay eggs in captivity, and the colony will not grow.

Identification

Both male and female ants will fly during mating season. Look for flying ants in your neighborhood or community. Check your yard, local park and wilderness areas for flying ants, and locate the queen, which will have a large abdomen. Once the ants have been located, keep an eye on the area, and catch the queen once her wings have fallen off. Capture the queen ant before she crawls into the ground, because once she is in the ground, it will be difficult to find her.

Warning

Capture and keep only black ants. Stinging or biting ants can be dangerous to people who are allergic to the bites, and they can be harmful to pets. Your ant colony should be sealed well and should only contain ants that are found in your community. It is never wise, and possibly illegal, to bring in non-native ants, because they can cause damage to native species.

Resources

• All about ants