highered: (1. Jul 2008 11:51)

You must live in a hot part of the UK becuase I haven't seen any winged ants in any wild nests yet. I think we've got about 2 weeks left before they go on their nupital flight.
You can collect the winged ants but only after they willingly leave the nest. That is when they consider themselves to be on their nupital flight. After gently putting them in a container the queens let off a smell that attracts the males. You will see males climbing near and over the queens so you will know what is happening.

KiamCameron: (1. Jul 2008 12:17)

Erm you shouldnt collect unfertilised queen ants because they will not mate with a male ant unless your really lucky they have to fly high in the air..

highered: (1. Jul 2008 14:58)

I personally tried this once with Laisus niger years ago and it worked.

SteveUK28: (1. Jul 2008 15:13)

You was very lucky then.. cos as kiam says they mate in the air!

ratgreen: (1. Jul 2008 16:25)

well surely they have to meet on the floor then they fly away, as meeting in the air would be highly unlikely.
also i read somewere that the queens 'run away' from the males so that only the strongest/fittest males that can catch up with mate with her.

marc.tulley: (1. Jul 2008 16:50)

is it nearly flight time?! goody, im on holiday for a week, tuesday hope i dont miss them all , want a flavus colony this year

JimmyVe: (2. Jul 2008 14:31)

I saw some winged queens flying out yesterday. ( Lasius niger )

ypzilopz: (5. Jul 2008 18:06)

hello, ehm highered what did u do to get the new queens and males to mate in a container? did u took males and queens from the same colony?(:
- because it's maybe work :D

delete-14751: (6. Jul 2008 18:48)

Do males and females mate within there own colony???

ratgreen: (6. Jul 2008 18:50)

would you mate with your sister? no lol, but there are some strange people/ants that do.