ANTSTORE World of Ants

[jartok]

I have a colony of what must be the top end of Lasius niger colonies it expands whole bottom of the garden - we will be removing it and im trying to convince people into using the quartz in ground rather then chemical . im gonna try digging up and take as much as i can. any ideas where queen chamber be and how deep its bout 10square metres or so they come out everywhere

[Phasmid]

Unless you are luckly beyond reason, you will not find the queen.
As for removing a colony that big alive, expect to dig up over 10cube metres. You will need a small trowel, a brush, a BIG collecting jar and enough time for all ants you miss (including queen if you don't find her or kill her accidently) to die of old age. Also a queen of that colony is likely to be old. Better destoy it than try to capture the queen and 10% of her workers.

Why do you intend to remove it?

[damondeionno]

The queen in Lasius niger won't necessarily be in a special chamber. Lasius niger colonies don't tend to be that deep. I would be surprised if there was anything below 300mm.

Most times I've found niger queens it has been near the surface. They like warm areas, so under large stones, large pieces of decaying wood or within compost heaps.

=> edit mod
post from 6:37pm

I would agree with Phasmid though. I don't see the benefit of trying to capture the queen.

The only time I would say this is potentially worthwhile is if the colony is small and entirely based in a container, like a plant pot or window box.

[Phasmid]

I don't mean 10 metres deep, I mean about a metre deep X 10squared (can't do maths ), years ago (before I realised you can capture queens after they fly ) I found a small nest and dug way more than 30cm before I just gave up, there were plenty of ants all the way down. I think if your looking at 10square metres it will go alot further than 30cm. The best chances you have of finding the queen is if there are any stones or logs you can lift on a sunny day. I have lifted alot of stones in my life and only found 2 Lasius niger queens in established colonies, in fact I have found more Camponotus ligniperda queens in established colonies than Lasius niger .
Good luck.

[jartok]

well we having decking and all and the ants come in house in swarms in summer etc so they want rid id leave em but not my place. ill bandon capturing then there all under slabs . well use the vibration thing to remove them id rather not kill them. ive never seen campontus lign here unfortunantly id like some but cant afford to buy