As summer draws to a close and Autumn begins to show itself, here’s an update on my colonies. Lasius umbratus Today on checking this colony, I saw what appeared to be an empty nest. But no, wait. There’s the queen moving about in one of the chambers. Sadly, there appears to be just one worker
Sad Demise of the Lasius umbratus Colony Read More »
Flying Ant Day is Here! Yes, it’s that time of year again when us ant enthusiasts get excited. Everybody else gets annoyed as flying ants in their thousands take to the air. Of course, to call it Flying Ant “Day” is a bit of a misnomer. Flying ants do not just fly on one day
Flying Ant Day is Here! Read More »
In my previous blog entry I stated that my Lasius umbratus had not produced any eggs this year. Well, I was wrong. Lasius umbratus I wanted to check on the soil within the nesting box, to make sure it was not too dry. As I lifted the lid I received a nice surpise; there were
Ant ID Request and Colony Update – Eggs and Flying Ants Read More »
I think I have ants under my house. Yesterday morning I found perhaps 50 dead Lasius niger ants on the floor of my Ant Room. On checking my own Lasius niger colony I was satisfied that they were not my ants. I noticed a live ant on the floor. She was much bigger than my
Ants Under My House Read More »
I was recently contacted by Octopus Books who offered me an advance copy of a new book which is due for release on 6 May 21. The book is Empire of Ants by Susanne Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche. It was originally published in German in 2019, but this is the first English translation. Susanne Foitzik
Empire of Ants – Suzanne Foitzik & Olaf Fritsche Read More »
Following the winter demise of my cockroach colony, with which I use to feed my ants, I ordered more from Virginia Cheeseman. They arrived yesterday and I immediately placed them in my new cockroach bin. I then used one to feed my ants. Myrmica rubra Within minutes of putting a piece of freshly killed cockroach
Hello Lasius niger – Colonies Update 1 April 2021 Read More »
Hello everybody to another Spring, and what a year it has been. Winter has officially ended. Still in lock-down, and yesterday I had my first Covid vaccination. No side effects experienced other than a slight dull ache in my left arm. In my ant colonies it has been life as normal, and as is usual
Spring 2021 – Colonies Update Read More »
Hello – yes I am still alive! My apologies for the lack of colony updates over the past few months. Life as been pretty hectic lately, as I am sure it has been for you too. I do hope that you and your families are bearing up, and that you all have a very Merry
2020 Hibernation – Colonies Update 24 Dec 20 Read More »
Lasius niger To Stop Ants Escaping, Let Them Escape! Last update I talked about how my Lasius niger were escaping, and I could not see how they were doing so. Well, yesterday I finally discovered their escape route. In order to find out how they were escaping I had to encourage them to escape. This
To Stop Ants Escaping, Let Them Escape! – Colonies Update 3 September 2020 Read More »
Lasius niger Sigh! Here we go again! More Lasius niger escapes. I have said it many times in the past, and I am saying it again. Those Lasius niger have to be the naughtiest ant species I have ever experienced. I could have 100 different species in their respective ant farms, and I can almost guarantee that the only
Lasius niger escapes. Why is it Always Lasius niger? Read More »