8 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

I’ve recently captured a large Temnothorax curvispinosus colony (or at least I think it’s large) in a hickory nut. I currently have one colony now with a queen and 6 workers. I did find another colony yesterday, but accidentally squished them when letting open the nut, so I’m going to find some other way to get these little gals to come out. Also, if I introduced both of my existing colonies together, do you think they would get along?

[Ferox_Formicae]

I’ve recently captured a large Temnothorax curvispinosus colony (or at least I think it’s large) in a hickory nut. I currently have one colony now with a queen and 6 workers. I did find another colony yesterday, but accidentally squished them when letting open the nut, so I’m going to find some other way to get these little gals to come out. Also, if I introduced both of my existing colonies together, do you think they would get along?

Use a knife or something like that and cut through it, being very careful to not injure any of the ants.

 

As far as merging the colonies goes, get a test tube or something along those lines, and place a worker (more from each colony would be better) and see if they get along. If so, SLOWLY introduce the colonies to each other, being very observant to their behavior. Make sure there is no fighting and especially no aggression towards the queen. They're polygynous, so it should be okay.

[Acutus]

I was thinking maybe place an ice cube on the side of the nut without the hole and maybe they'll come out

[TennesseeAnts]

Just tap them out like I do.

[Martialis]

sounds like a good way to kill both colonies

 

Source: have forcefully evicted ants from their nests many a time. Never worked out in the end

[CatsnAnts]

I never force my ants out unless it’s dire. Usually workers get hurt and brood is left behind. As for the ice cube method, I have already tried it and it didn’t work. And when you say it’s a good way to kill both colonies, are you talking about the mixing colonies part, or the “tap them out of their shell” part?

[CatsnAnts]

I’m such a hypocrite I dumped them out and they IMMEDIATELY started moving. I even saw a worker just pick up he queen like no big deal and carry her inside! The brood pile is MASSIVE, and I can see a lot of alate pupae! this makes me really excited to have a mature colony, and if I can mix it with my really young colony, I’ll have a two queen colony!

Edited by CatsnAnts, May 30 2019 - 4:40 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I never lose workers or brood when tapping them out.

[CatsnAnts]

I never lose workers or brood when tapping them out.

Ya, I was wrong, this worked quite well! I estimate there to be 70 workers, with 100 brood.

EDIT: they’ve started to form a line just to carry the alate pupae! I love the teamwork I’m seeing, it super cool.

Edited by CatsnAnts, May 30 2019 - 4:56 PM.