680 replies to this topic

[Rstheant]

Just put another tube next to the old one, so much so, that the lips match. Then, just tap the ants into the new tube. Also, they don’t need an outworld just yet, but that’s just a suggestion.

[ANTdrew]

Would taping two tubes together work? I’d leave little gaps for air.

[TennesseeAnts]

Yes.

[Rstheant]

Would taping two tubes together work? I’d leave little gaps for air.

Ants don’t much air, so some colonies in a test tube can survive a day or longer.

Just dump them, it’s easier, and when you leave gaps, the ants can get stuck in the tape.

[ANTdrew]

I'm concerned about stressing the queens that only have brood at this point. I'd prefer to have them move on their own with minimal disturbance.

[FeedTheAnts]

I wouldn't dump them. Crematogaster love heat even more than most other ants. Use heat in the new tube and they should move themselves.

[Rstheant]

I wouldn't dump them. Crematogaster love heat even more than most other ants. Use heat in the new tube and they should move themselves.

This could work, but you could dump them, and don’t disturb them, and the brood should be fine. I have done this with a LOT of species and it usually works. But up to you.

[Rstheant]

Pictures of the worker? They are really cute right?

[ANTdrew]

I taped new tubes onto the drying ones using masking tape and poked three needle holes in between to let in air. I ran a heat cable only under the new tube. I also took advantage to offer them a new drop of honey water and a crushed fruit fly. In the future I am NOT trying to cheat nature by bringing them out of hibernation in January. I wish I had waited until it was warmer in my house.

I'll try to get a photo of Frigg's worker this evening.

Edited by ANTdrew, March 8 2019 - 7:40 AM.

[ANTdrew]

The queens refuse to budge, so I gave up pressuring them. They have plenty of moisture now that the other tube is attached, so I'm just going to wait until they have more workers to help with any move. I've also given up on heat cables for them, and I'm going to use a space heater to heat up the whole little bathroom they are in (at least until my house warms up).

A second queen has two very dark pupae that will probably eclose within the next couple of days. 

Here is a photo of Frigg's first nanitic:

Edited by ANTdrew, March 9 2019 - 11:09 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I found a second queen yesterday. I hope she does as well as my original!

[ANTdrew]

A second one of these queens just got her first two workers. I wish I hadn’t had to disturb them so much due to the drying tubes. This whole process has been more stressful than enjoyable. I really hope this doesn’t become yet another dead end journal on here.

[TennesseeAnts]

My queen was stressful aswell. Once they get more than 10 workers, the stress goes away.

[ANTdrew]

Siggyn, my second queen, has three workers and a good brood pile now. I’m most hopeful for her. Frigg still has her lone worker and some good larvae. This may still work out after all.
My third queen still has no workers, and I can’t see her brood anymore. I’m worried she ate them.
In retrospect, I wish I had put these queens in THA starter formicariums that can be refilled with water. I also wish I had left them hibernating longer because I blame their heat cable for drying out the tubes. From now on, all my ants will be in diapuse from first frost to last frost.

[Rstheant]

Maybe try an Atom C for these species? After, you can boost a queen with some brood from with your successful colony, if the queen doesn’t lay.

[TennesseeAnts]

I don't think THA makes Atom Cs anymore...

[Rstheant]

Really?

[TennesseeAnts]

Yeah, they make the Discus though.

[Rstheant]

Yeah, I prefer the atom, though I haven’t bought any...

[TennesseeAnts]

The Discus is great! It is an Atom C, but super-sized! It can hold 500 Camponotus chromaiodes instead of 200.