My own Ant Colony

[Tyred]

I'd like to get an ant colony. You know, those see through habitats were ants can tunnel, feed, etc. I shopped online a bit, and prices look good. Sounds like I can even have the ants shipped to my home.

However, it may be tough to get a queen since they cant be sent across state lines to prevent species from being introduced to new regions. Im not sure if there is a place locally to buy ants, and if they sell a queen, but I'll look into that. I just cant imagine buying a colony without a queen. Too depressing.

I heard that some of the winged ants are females that can fly off and start their own colonies. Perhaps I could nab a group of ants in my backyard that includes some winged ones, and put them in the habitat. Any idea if the female would mate and be "coronated"?

Has anyone here had an ant colony? Any advice?

[MichaelXY]

I think there is something like 12,000 species of ants. Trying to introduce an outsider ant would result in lunch for the main colony, well maybe a snack.

[Tyred]

Thanks Michael, I think you are right. Would be interesting to watch, but short lived.

Best advice I have read on the web, is to find a colony in your back yard, use a shovel to dig up the whole colony into a plastic container, then pick out the ants into a jar. Would get some females then, and ideally would find the queen.

Guess there are some things money cant buy: love and queen ants.