[***How to Use a UV Light to Attract Queen Ants***](https://discord.com/channels/263540094864982026/434503823155789843/438731798680305674) There are many ways to catch queen ants. You can find them crawling on the ground, nesting under stones, or floating in water. All of these methods require YOU to LOOK for queens. Wouldn’t it be cool if queens came to you? Well, they can! In the summer of 2017, I used a fluorescent black light (UV light) nearly every night after sunset. I caught the majority of my queens this way, spanning many genera and species. Some queens I caught using my black light include Odontomachus haematodus, Brachymyrmex patagonicus, Brachymyrmex depilis, Temnothorax curvispinosus, Camponotus floridanus, Camponotus castaneus, Camponotus tortuganus, Colobopsis impressa, Colobopsis obliqua, Dorymyrmex bureni, Pheidole bicarinata, Pheidole metallescens, Hypoponera sp., Crematogaster sp., and Tetramorium bicarinatum. Fertile B. patagonicus and P. bicarinata queens showed up nearly every night for months. Which Blacklight to Buy To catch queens, you need a decent black light—not a small flashlight. This is the exact light I used (site may not ship outside the U.S.): - [**menards**](https://www.menards.com/main/lighting-ceiling-fans/indoor-lighting/accent-lights/american-fluorescent-22-1-light-15-watt-t8-black-light/sle15-bl/p-1444423573580.htm) - [**entoquip**](https://entoquip.com/) - [**amazon**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002F5544/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-is4AbREQF7SD) I recommend a fluorescent light with at least 15 watts, since that’s what worked well for me. I can’t speak to LED or other wattages. Setup Lay a white bedsheet on the ground and place the light in the center. The sheet helps you spot insects easily. You’ll need a nearby power outlet or an extension cord. Choose an open area free of dense trees so the light is visible from above. Weather Just like daytime flights, favorable weather is key. In my area, queens fly when humidity is above 60% and temps are above 70°F (21°C). Windy nights usually prevent flights. These rules apply across much of the Southeastern U.S., though cooler or drier regions may have different thresholds. If your nights are always cold, dry, or windy, you may not have many night-flying ants. Fertility in Queens At the blacklight, many queens will still have wings. Wingless queens are almost always fertile. Winged queens often are too—especially during peak season. Many don’t shed wings at all; the light might disorient them. Some still try to fly. Don’t assume these are infertile—I’ve had plenty start colonies. Always keep winged queens for several weeks before making any fertility judgment. >[!info] >**Up:** None >**Related**: None >**Author:** [[303411591276134401]] >**Volunteers:** None >**Last Edited:** 2025-08-06 22:47:29