Ants in my kitchen

[shane]

I found some ants in my kitchen this morning around 7am

At first I thought they was my Messors cos they was same size almost and it really shocked me at same time
on how could they have got out, Then looking at them properly I know they was not my messor's which was a relief.

Anyhow puzzled as well with how they'd gotten in, I got 1 with a glass to identify and was following others
to try and find out how they got in, but seem to just following border to back door "No opening or cracks", So a bit of a mystery how they got in

In all there was 5 keeping in a small pack.
They seem to be night dwelling ants as when I turned the light on they seem to cower for cover
following borders for shelter as they was in open a little close to little kitchen bin when I turned on lights.

Heres a pic of one I got with a glass.


They seem to be a Formica, don't know which?

[Wood~Ant]

Definitely Formica, and as we only have 2 all black species it could only be either F. fusca or F. lemani

[shane]

Feb 9, 2011 16:51:12 GMT Wood~Ant said:

Definitely Formica, and as we only have 2 all black species it could only be either F. fusca or F. lemani

There was more roaming around this morning at 6am, heres a macro pic


They seem to be coming from a small gap close to border near back door,
And with looks of it must have their colony there as there's nothing outside to get in as its sealed.

Queen must have got in last summer as back doors mostly always open, really didn't want to kill off her
and colony but have no option

[Jenny]

Hi Shane,
the macro pic you have taken has turned out brilliant, especially against the pale stone background It is a shame that they were doomed though.........

[odesssus]

nice looking ant. can't you just make life very unpleasant for them so they look to the garden for food?

[shane]

Feb 10, 2011 21:16:18 GMT odesssus said:

nice looking ant. can't you just make life very unpleasant for them so they look to the garden for food?

if that was an option I would, but their colony seems to be under a gap on border close to door thats inside
no cold air coming from it so its sealed inside and nothing outside for them to get out.
They seem to be feeding on small spiders and other bits of home foods that fall down side cracks,
The bleached floor doesn't seem to bother them.

[odesssus]

if you seal up the inside may be they will go and make a hole to the out side.

[shane]

:/ don't really want them didding around in there to be honest, and I think its all concrete the floor so only option for
them to go would be up side of wall, If I could drive them out + queen I would, but I may have to

[Wood~Ant]

I have made a new thread for this topic, as it relates to ants that Shane discovered foraging in his home.
That is a lovely photo of the 2 workers on the painted brickwork Shane, so clear and such a good close up even Alex Wild couldn't have done the shot better

With your kind permission I would like to use that photo on my site please

[shane]

Feb 11, 2011 8:43:45 GMT Wood~Ant said:

I have made a new thread for this topic, as it relates to ants that Shane discovered foraging in his home.
That is a lovely photo of the 2 workers on the painted brickwork Shane, so clear and such a good close up even Alex Wild couldn't have done the shot better

With your kind permission I would like to use that photo on my site please

Thanks

yes you have my permition to use photo wood

[Wood~Ant]

Thanks Shane, it is now on this page second paragraph down
www.anthillwood.co.uk/blackants2.htm

[shane]

Not seen any this morning roaming around, but seen a fat house spider crawling across carpet door mat
close to gap ants come out of. looks like I won't have to kill them after all if spider's eating them.

[shane]

I spoken to soon as there back.
Seen 3 roming around kitchen just now.

I'll just have to colected all the roming workers so they carnt take any food back to colony if they find any.

Looks like I'll have to get somthing to kill there queen

[shane]

Feb 12, 2011 23:04:23 GMT @blackberry said:

It is a shame that the nest is going to have to end in this way, but I understand that sometimes ants are just unwelcome.

If queen come out, she would have a 2'd chance of life but where she is now she's not moving


Just captured there first major worker wandering around with a little worker,

major cleaning her self

[odesssus]

as you know mate you can't keep a good ant down.