ANTSTORE World of Ants

[pylofm]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone would help I have a question, what would the best ant be for a beginer that does not hibernate?, I am located in Holland and would be intrested in European ants.

Many Thanks
Dave.

[mpir]

In nature ALL European ants hibernate. Although it is true that some hibernate longer and some shorter, especialy ants from south Europe.

Some German collegue will argue that some ants don't need to hibernate but that they only need a short "rest". In fact hibernating is good for all European ants. They are more active and have more offspring next year after hibernation.

If you'd really like ants that don't need hibernating look up some exotic ones. If you are ok with hibernating for only few months... then try Pheidole Pallidula.

Good luck.

[earlant]

Hi pylofm,

Do you know any region in Europe where there is no winter? - Even the southernmost Mediterranean countries have at least a mild winter, with low temperatures though perhaps without frost, and the ants there are quite inactive during these cool winter months.

I think this will answer your question. Ants without hibernation in Europe must be exotic ants that survive within heated buildings, hence pest ants such as the Pharao's Ant, or the Argentine Ant that even survives the Spanish winter outdoors.

Regards,
Earlant

[NuEM]

The only option would be exotic ants, but as a beginner you shouldn't consider this at all. Better make yourself comfy with the idea of hibernation. It's actually not as bad as one might think. Yes, we do miss our ants now, but on the other hand this gives us the time and oppotunity to work on our setups, build new formicariums (formicarii? formicaries? ) and make plans for the next year.

It's also nice to look at flies and not think "food".

[pylofm]

Thanks for the replies these have helped me very much..

I have been reading the backposts for many of my questions and still find some issues without answers...

I am currently looking at Polyrhachis dives (weaver ants) as a possibility, do you think this type of ant would suit a beginner...

Also why should I look at Hibernating type ant only and not others speciies, this question is asked respectfully.

Many thanks for your time

Dave.

[mpir]

I am currently looking at Polyrhachis dives (weaver ants) as a possibility, do you think this type of ant would suit a beginner...

Also why should I look at Hibernating type ant only and not others speciies, this question is asked respectfully.

Let me answer the second question first. Hibernating type of ants usually means that it is European ant. And European ants are easy to keep at home most of all because the climate and conditons in your home are similar to those outside. You don't have to simulate extreem heat and low humidity conditions like Australian ants demand and you don't have to simulate rainforest conditions like some other exotic ant would demand. Hence it is easy for beginers.

I don't have experience with Polyrhachis dives so I really can't say if they are demanding or not. If you do decide to buy this try to read as much about them as you can. Look on the internet what have other people done to make a nice home for them. (heaters, humidifiers, what type of nest,...) If you get everything right you can have success too. And buy a colony not just a queen. In this case worker ants will take care of the queen and you will have better chances. I'm just worried that you won't be able to buy this ants right now as outside temperatures are too low.

Good luck

[NuEM]

It is not an ant for beginners. Them being demanding is not the problem, as they are relatively easy to keep. Too easy I'd say. The colony growths pretty rapidly, and they are very active and masters of escape. There have been several reports from Polyrhachis keepers, who had them escape and build secondary nests somewhere in the house.

The seconds issue I see with them is the way they are shipped. As far as I know they come with parts of their natural nests, including everything else living in that stuff. I have heard of at least two cases, where unidentified flies and moths were shipped together with the ants. The potential risk of letting them escape into our nature is definitely there, especially in the hand of unexperienced keepers. That might lead to yet another invasive species, and who knows what parasites they carry.

Even though Polyrhachis dives is a very interesting and pretty ant species, I am not going to keep them anytime soon. And I am not a complete noob when it comes to ants.

[JimmyVe]

What is wrong with European ants. I don't understand most of the beginners, they always want to keep an ant species that even a experience keeper is not sure hi is capable off. (if you now what i mean)
There is nothing wrong with keeping ants but you have to take good care off them. So why not start with an easy species and build up to a difficult one ?

[mpir]

Yes, JimmyVe is right. Start with something easy and have fun and enjoy observing ants. Falioure at the begining would bring lots of disappointmet. Then work your way up.