@futurebird while cycling this morning, I stopped on a bridge in a wooded area, and noticed these guys.
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Oh! Myrmica rubra. They can overwinter. But to be fair they aren't as annoying as Solenopsis. I'll need to read up more about them. "fire ants" can mean a few very different species.
@futurebird @jericevans Yikes. Annoying isn't the word. Aggressive with extremely painful bites, and if the other species is worse, just extra yikes.
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@futurebird @jericevans Yikes. Annoying isn't the word. Aggressive with extremely painful bites, and if the other species is worse, just extra yikes.
I have not be bitten by Myrmica rubra. But my understanding is they aren't known for stinging? Lots of keepers in Europe have them as pets.
You know if you see those ants again catch a few in a film canister and try to get a really good photo of them. They do sting but are supposed to be timid and the sting isn't "significant" but this could be wrong... or it's not Myrmica rubra.
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They can't be contained. But, they can settle into something more like the niche they live in their home range. There they are not numerous. They are opportunistic, nesting near storm-damaged trees, forest margins, places recently touched by fire. They are the "first ants in" and they can't dig packed soil or deal with real competition.
The way we tend lawns, cut down trees, clear brush, and plow soil is a delight for these ants. Perennial native plants are their enemy.
@futurebird @CStamp @jericevans
And this applies to Solenopsis invicta? I have them. I'm also in permaculture school and am working on a school project to design for my land. If perennial native vegetation works against then, that would be awesome. I don't really want to use pesticides.
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@futurebird @CStamp @jericevans
And this applies to Solenopsis invicta? I have them. I'm also in permaculture school and am working on a school project to design for my land. If perennial native vegetation works against then, that would be awesome. I don't really want to use pesticides.
@springdiesel @CStamp @jericevans
Take a look at the inaturalist page for Solenopsis invicta. Look at their nest and the places where they are found. They like direct sun, water, and above all disturbed soil. A shady garden with hard packed clay soil is something they will struggle with. And these same conditions will attract ants that attack them.
Learn to spot Dorymyrmex bureni, these non-stinging ants love to eat young fire ant queens and overlap with them in most places.
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@springdiesel @CStamp @jericevans
Take a look at the inaturalist page for Solenopsis invicta. Look at their nest and the places where they are found. They like direct sun, water, and above all disturbed soil. A shady garden with hard packed clay soil is something they will struggle with. And these same conditions will attract ants that attack them.
Learn to spot Dorymyrmex bureni, these non-stinging ants love to eat young fire ant queens and overlap with them in most places.
@springdiesel @CStamp @jericevans
Dorymyrmex bureni likes sandy sidewalk cracks, sand, hot places, and ruining the day of fire ant colonies when they send out their alates.
Where it isn't possible to make a garden fire ant proof it could be made to attract Dorymyrmex bureni more.
