3 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

Over the past few days, I've been attempting to move my A. rudis colony into the first level of an AC Omni nest vertical. What I did was attach a tube to their test tube to the formicarium. By exposing the test tube to bright light, I got them to move into the poly tubing. The bit of tubing they were in was small enough to fit into the outworld, so I set it in and waited for them to move into the moist formicarium.

 

Just now, looking into the outworld, I noticed only seven ants and the queen, when before there were twelve. I noticed that they were able to squeeze through a tiny gap where the acrylic sides came together.

 

Obviously, I can't close off the gap. or else the escaped ants won't be able to get back in, but I don't want more ants to get out. What I came up with was to close off one end of the poly tubing with cotton and attach the other end to the nest so that they couldn't get into the outworld. I'm placing food in the outworld for the escaped workers to find. I also placed a test tube setup in the outworld for the escaped ants to find when they return.

 

If the workers explore outside my ant room, I have cats that like to hunt insects, so that's another danger.

 

I'm about to leave the house or a few hours, so hopefully, some will return by then. I there is anything else I can do, PLEASE let me know!

 

HELP!

Edited by Mettcollsuss, January 20 2018 - 9:45 AM.

[Kevin]

You can seal it and look for the other workers. Surely, they will be around the nest in no time if you are checking it often. Or, you can take the small loss of 5 workers and move on.

[Mettcollsuss]

You can seal it and look for the other workers. Surely, they will be around the nest in no time if you are checking it often. Or, you can take the small loss of 5 workers and move on.

I'm out all day, so the checking strategy won't work for me. I'm attempting to lure them back, but if that doesn't work, I'll just accept the loss of 5 workers.

[Batspiderfish]

You can leave a test tube setup nearby the escape point so that the foraging workers may collect there. Is it possible that they are hiding out in the foraging area or somewhere else you can't easily view? I would just keep an eye out for them and throw them back in. That may be the best you can do.

Edited by Batspiderfish, January 20 2018 - 1:23 PM.