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Ants relocation

CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
in Problem solving
I am in the process of digging out a huge red ant colony which has grown for some years beneath the soil in my lawn where rubble and sand etc had been dumped by the previous owners.  I am relocating the soil and debris into a (disused) small quarry area in my adjoining field.
I'm wondering whether destroying their nest means they cannot re-group in their new location? Also if the queen has been killed in the evacuation does this mean the colony dies, or can they regenerate a new queen?
Before anyone berates me for this wanton destruction, I do know that ants are an important part of the ecosystem, but this one colony did need to be dealt with.  Believe me, I have many more, lesser colonies all over my lawn that I am allowing to do their own thing!

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @lesleymeyrick They seem to tunnel from nest to nest. I doubt if it will make a lot of difference whatever you do. Sort out one nest and they are off to visit their neighbours!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    Probably won't matter much to them.  I'm reading "The Garden Jungle" by Dave Goulson and apparently there is on average one ants nest every square metre,  not all red ants though. Good that you are trying to relocate them; hope it works.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    pansyface said:
    I’m not certain, but I imagine, like bees, they will find the queen and start a new life around her along with any eggs and immature ants they can find and save.
    Not quite like bees according to Goulson; apparently more queens are produced. 

    BTW, I recommend "The Garden Jungle" for anyone interested in garden ecology, pollinators in particular. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garden-Jungle-Gardening-Save-Planet-ebook/dp/B07JC571D2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=5D1OOZYAFYE1&keywords=The+Garden+Jungle&qid=1647110230&sprefix=the+garden+jungle,aps,59&sr=8
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 173
    Certainly I reckon to have an ants nest every square metre!  I don't mind the black ants - I may be wrong, but I don't think the black ones sting (or do I mean bite?)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    They all bite if you upset them but the red ones sting more in my experience.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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