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Post by philip369 on Aug 16, 2013 18:09:05 GMT
I heard on a website recently that Argentine Ants have been found in south of the UK and in many part of Europe has anyone else heard anything about this?
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Post by Jenny on Aug 16, 2013 18:21:16 GMT
We live in the South so I wonder where they are talking about?  They would have to survive indoors as I can't see them making UK winters..... Perhaps it is the stowaway article from the BBC I put on the other day. Stowaway Ants |
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Post by philip369 on Aug 16, 2013 18:35:01 GMT
I think that was the article I saw and I agree I don't think they would be able to survive UK winters but they though that the African honey bee cross breed couldn't survive the cold weather and that could. To be honest all it would take was a mild winter and they may gain a foot hold in abandoned buildings and the such like. It's a worry for the native ants although maybe Lasius niger might give it a run for its money?
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Post by Stutheant on Sept 26, 2013 17:09:07 GMT
Just read this article on them www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1395066/Heading-kitchen-new-aggressive-army-Argentine-ants.htmlAlthough I live in the North of England, it is worrying IF they settle under a shed with a boiler. And if you think about it, what if they acclimatise, the colony sizes would have swelled thanks to the summer! There is two worrying problems apart from the infestation problem, 1st where did they come from or who let them off. 2nd, as ant-keepers we have a duty to keep and protect the species we have in a controlled way and we are lucky we still don't have many, if any safeguards in place to bring ants into the UK (via AntStore for example). I love this hobby, it is great watching the MEssors, and the Poly' Dives at work, but I would not like to see controls placed because some small minded keeper dumped them. |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Sept 26, 2013 17:33:07 GMT
It might take them some time to get acclimatised to the north of Britain, but with the south being closer to the gulf stream and having slightly milder winters I wonder how long it would take them to eradicate some ant species down here? A frightening thought if they ever become established here in the UK.  |
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