The Big DumpTruck

Okay, I know you're all sick to death of ant posts. Well, maybe some of you aren't. So if you are, I promise, the next post I write will be about something else. But this one is not.

Mr. Dump called me with some very important information today. Apparently the ant supply company sent us more ants. More killer ants! It's my dream package! Of course, I'm pretty sure that if we added them to the ant farm they would immediately start a turf war and then all the ants would be dead before morning. They are like that. So I have a few hours to figure out what to do with these things. No freaking way can I release them. That's all I need, is a back yard full of harvester ants [waves to Dave G]. Anyone local to Leominster have an ant farm lacking ants? If you do, post here in the next couple of hours, otherwise, the poor suckers are probably going to have a burial at sea.

Labels: ants, fun

This one is for Karen, who seems to have taken a lot of interest in the level of work we're getting from our new ant friends. This is what they've done after one week. I have to say, it looks far cooler in person than it does in the photo. Whoever invented this blue stuff for ant farms deserves a big pat on the back.

If you go to check out the ant photos on flickr, there are two others for you, Karen. One of them is called Ant Bathroom. Because that's what we think it is.

Labels: ants

This if from yesterday. Junior and I watched as they broke through to the top. It was a momentous occassion, and we all high-fived each other. We're really getting along well with our new friends.

Too see the full ant set on flickr, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigdumptruck/sets/72157600038021830/

Labels: ants

The ants arrived in the mail yesterday. Mr. Dump received them, and the first thing he saw when he opened the package was the following warning:
CAUTION! DO NOT TOUCH THESE ANTS
The harvester ant can inflict a painful sting that normally causes local swelling and itching. If you are stung apply ice to the area until the pain subsides. If symptoms persist see your physician. Persons who are allergic to stinging insects should be especially careful as they may need emergency medical attention in the event of an allergic reaction.

Oh my God. Killer ants are in my house. Did you ever see the movie Phase IV? That's what I'm picturing. Mr. Dump IS allergic to bee stings, so I'm pretty sure he was ever so happy to have received this package today. My fear is that knowing how clumsy Junior is, this container is going to hit the floor, smash open, and the ants will fly onto our faces. Or something like that. I can tell you, if something did happen (the lid seems REALLY secure) I wouldn't be trying to wrangle them back into the container. Can you say "Look out! It's a shoe!" little ant people?

When I have more time, I'll have to see if I can get a close up of one of them for you. They look pretty fierce. They were completely creeping me out last night because They hadn't started tunneling yet, so they were freaking out trying to climb the sides and there's something unsettling with a bunch of ants walking around on top of something as opposed to ants making tunnels and stuff. That is definitely less creepy to me.

Labels: ants, flickr, holy_crap, photos

Not my pants. I have those. My ants. Well, Junior's ants, really. We sent a check to the ant company so that we can let them loose in the Ant farm he got for Christmas. He's dying to get the ants "up and running" but with the pesky lack of ants, it's really much less fun and exciting than the box would lead you to believe.

I know other people have ant farm web cams, but I'm really tempted to do the same. Because I'll just best most of you regulars aren't out watching other people's ant farms on webcams, are you?

Labels: ants, junior