Day length, temperature, and rainfall are just a few of the variables to take into consideration for your area regarding when a queen will do this. For dryer areas such as the Southwest, it will usually be in the springtime, whereas later summer monsoons may be the ideal time in other regions. [2] X Research source
Since you’re looking for a queen ant, you should know how to differentiate them from the other ants in the colony. At this stage, the queen ant will have wings. However, even after the stage where she pulls off her wings, you can identify her by her much larger size compared to the other ants. This will be most prominent in the thorax, which is the middle section of the ant between the head and the abdomen of the ant. You can also find additional characteristics provided at: How to Identify a Queen Ant If you simply want a queen ant, this is the ideal time to cup one; however, if you want a queen ant in order to start your own ant colony, then you shouldn’t do it yet. These still winged queen ants have not yet mated in this step of colony building. [5] X Research source
Another sign that a queen ant has already mated is when she has pulled off her wings. [7] X Research source Once she picks a general area, she will pull off her wings in order to appear less conspicuous. She will still walk around trying to find the perfect location in her chosen area, though.
The best option is to create a test tube setup. You need a test tube, cotton balls, and water. Fill the test tube 1/2 full with water. Push a cotton ball down to block off the water. Make sure the cotton is not soaking wet. Put the queen in the tube and block off the entrance with some cotton. You now have a standard test tube setup. [9] X Research source
Try to keep the clumps of earth as intact as possible so as not to collapse every tunnel as you dig the colony out. You also want to make sure that you cover each bucket as you will it to stop any queens from potentially escaping. If you use this method on a brand new colony where the queen has just mated and is still digging out her nest, then you won’t have to dig very far, and you won’t have much to sift through to find her. [10] X Research source Telltale signs for this type of brand new colony include a very small entrance hole with a small heap of fresh dirt beside it that hasn’t yet been formed into a mound. [11] X Research source
You may want to transfer the ants into smaller jars as you separate them and the soil. For obvious reasons, you probably don’t want to do this inside your house.
