Solenopsis Invicta doing their thing!

[@aaronrollins7184]

It’s crazy how much they react when they realize that you are watching them. I keep a colony in my office and they run wild when I try to video/picture.

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

That is One of the reasons I find them so interesting! I love how they react to everything!

[@PrecisionDan]

Makes me jealous seeing your invicta colonies. I've had the worst luck with them. Over 40 queens and they've just randomly died when they have 15+ workers

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

There’s a lot of factors that go into play with ants randomly dying. I’ve noticed mine die if it gets too cold or if the ants aren’t in a good dark place. Ants stress easy so it’s best to keep them as far away from noise and from our day to day lives. Good luck with them if you are able to catch more! I accidentally killed my very first solenopsis colony because I thought they needed to hibernate (solenopsis do not hibernate/go into diapause). So I had a 300+ worker colony and they died. It was sad 🥲

[@PrecisionDan]

@tennesseeantkeeper8206 my first queens I killed by checking too much but later ones went pretty much forgotten other than once a week or so I added a tiny drop or piece of mealworm. Some had heat and some didn't and it was all the same. Hopefully this year I get luckier lol

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

@PrecisionDan what wattage heating cable did you/do you use?

[@PrecisionDan]

@tennesseeantkeeper8206 just a regular 15 watt

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

@PrecisionDan weird. Make sure the cable stays towards the front of the tube as far away from the, the water. I wish you luck this season!

[@milehighants1257]

How old is that colony? I just ordered an invicta queen!

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

They died out. They killed the queen then died out. It was odd. However, I caught them early June last year I believe.

[@LlLl-i7u1d]

What are you doing to prevent them from escaping from the fanarium into the room? what kind of tool do you use?

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

Sorry I didn’t see your comment till 5 days later! I use fluon as a barrier. It prevents the ants from being able to climb past a certain point in the out world!

[@LlLl-i7u1d]

@@tennesseeantkeeper8206 hello! Thank you for answering my question. I do not know what "fluon" is. Can you tell us more about it or show it?! unfortunately, I don't know English well and sometimes use Google translator. I'm from Russia and they love ants here too! but few people dare to lie to "solenopsis" because they can convince! Have a nice day and thank you!

[@tennesseeantkeeper8206]

@user-xn5ph4ce3j fluon is a liquid that is very slippery to ants! It makes it so they can’t climb out of the outworld!