Preparing for 2014

[vigiluk]

I guess this is the right place to ask questions regarding ants coming out of hibernation and advice on this years nuptial flights. If it's not please do move and sorry for the confusion.

Hibernation + New accommodation when they wake up
Ok to start I have around 7 colonies in hibernation and I'd like to present them with better accommodation for each colony for the upcoming year. Space for the colonies to grow, dig and for myself and other students at the university to view within disturbing the ants. I've had a look around multiple online stores to either get pre-built formicariums or the equipment to do it myself, however struggling to find a site that has products in stock/is active and replies to queries (as the order will be considerably large so would prefer communication, but never got it).

If anyone can point me in the right direction for equipment/materials where I can create formicariums (either ytong style or acrylic glass) myself that that would be highly appreciated. It is also my preferred method as I like making things myself, that hopefully never fall apart!

I'd also appreciate confirmation on my hibernating colonies and my knowledge of how long they typically hibernate so far:

• Lasius Niger - Late October -> Feb/March?
  
• Myrmica Rubra - November -> Feb?
• Messor Barbarus - December -> 6 weeks?
• Messor cf. Capitatus - December -> 6 weeks?
• Camponotus Vagus - November -> Late Feb?

Preparing for a year of ants
This year will be a busy one for myself in regards to ants. As well as running a uni society on Myrmecology, my first hibernation of my colonies, my first participation (or indeed properly prepared) in local nuptial flights, either way its going to be fun. As a web designer and developer I was also thinking about documenting my journey through a neat site, to also include work with the society and dartmoor zoo.

I was just wondering how other experienced ant keepers prepare / equip themselves for nuptial flights?

(I've read a lot in some places, especially youtube videos where people gather far too many queens during nuptial flight periods, I'd like to state that I will be following the advice shown in this forum and on anthillwood's main website on 'ant hunting').



Thank you in advance!

[Wood~Ant]

Have you thought about making some home made nests and buying a couple of ready made? For ants such as Lasius or Myrmica then you could home a colony easily in a set up like an Ant World (click the link to view).
Aerated concrete blocks can be bought cheaply enough from several DIY stores.

As for bringing your ants out from hibernation, if you plan to move them into permanent homes, then it may prove best if you do this while they are still semi-dormant, as moving ants which are active and very fast moving is more difficult to do.
I would wait until early March before bring any ants completely out of hibernation, unless they show signs of being very active.

Nuptial flights are a case of having plenty of clean empty collecting pots, good eyesight and a lot of patience to find the newly mated queens of whatever species you wish to keep. 

[Jenny]

You also need to think outside the box. Use local glaziers, diy stockists, and aquatic suppliers. Even glass frames from old pictures have been used. Ant suppliers are not the first and last stop, and ants can be unpredictable when it comes to  choice of habitats. Don't spend loads if you don't have too, the ants won't always thank you and they will make it to their own liking anyway, usually by digging it up, or covering it up  More ideas on the formicarium board.
As for flights, I collect various snappy pots that fit in a pocket, you don't know when or where you will catch a flight! Patience, timing, watch the weather and the ground is the key. Not too many queens in one pot, they spray formic acid and you may find some dead if you are far from home and they cannot be seperated quick enough. Flights take place up to 9pm, I have been collecting at dusk before now, especially with flavus. Around here, flavus and nigers can fly on the same day and I have known them to go on the same hour which is a bit chaotic. I have ended up with both in the same collecting jar. Tubes you need plenty of, but also you need an outlet for them all. 
Some members use an aspirator for collecting, I use fingers and sometimes a soft brush as the concrete can have crevices. Again more ideas on the hunting board.