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Help! My eggs aren't developing

Started By Sharpman972 , Jun 9 2019 10:04 AM

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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Sharpman972 - Posted June 9 2019 - 10:04 AM

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I have a almost year old acrobat ant colony I keep in my garage. They are displaying troubling things that I can't figure out. 

1. The eggs have had no development in weeks

2. The ants do no dispose of the dead ants in their garbage area, they just keep carrying them around.

3. The queen will not move out of the tube.

 

I have tried changing the ends but it hasn't changed anything. They have taken some of the cotton to block the none feeding side which is the back block. I just don't know what to do at this point. Please help

 

PICTURES

 

https://imgur.com/a/jxWlh7z


#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 9 2019 - 11:23 AM

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What is the temperature in your garage? Are there a lot of automotive or garden chemicals in there giving off fumes?
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline Sharpman972 - Posted June 9 2019 - 11:36 AM

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The temp hovers between 70-75F and there's very few chemicals in the garage and they are on the other side of the garage.


#4 Offline Jamiesname - Posted June 9 2019 - 12:54 PM

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The temp hovers between 70-75F and there's very few chemicals in the garage and they are on the other side of the garage.



Temps may be a little too low. My Cremotagaster pile their brood just off of their heating cable and it gets pretty hot. They seem to love it though. Other than that I'm at a loss.

#5 Offline AntPhycho - Posted June 9 2019 - 1:12 PM

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Queens need a lot of protein to lay healthy eggs. What have you been feeding them?


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

#6 Offline Acutus - Posted June 9 2019 - 3:02 PM

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I agree with the temps needing to be higher. Diet is always important like Antphycho says! 


Billy

 

Currently keeping:

Camponotus chromaiodes

Camponotus castaneus

Formica subsericea

#7 Offline Sharpman972 - Posted June 9 2019 - 3:39 PM

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crickets and honey

 

What temps should they be at?


Edited by Sharpman972, June 9 2019 - 3:40 PM.

#8 Offline AntPhycho - Posted June 9 2019 - 4:08 PM

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crickets and honey

 

What temps should they be at?

 It is always good to have a varied diet. I have experienced food rejection even from my hardiest colonies (solenopsis) when they are being fed the same diet for a long amount of time. Eventually this food rejection stunts growth and finally kills your colony. I would buy some other sources of protein (mealworms, waxworms, basically any worms they sell at a pet store, flies, and any other insect you have access to) and see if you will get a new healthier batch of brood. This website sells about every feeder insect (and animal) you could ever want and conveniently ships them to your door with a live guarantee https://www.rainbowmealworms.net/ !  :yes:


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

#9 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 9 2019 - 5:24 PM

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I would shoot for 80-85 degrees for fast growth. Crematogaster love heat!
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#10 Offline Sharpman972 - Posted June 9 2019 - 5:28 PM

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Thanks for all the help guys! I'll buy the new food and a heat cable tomorrow.


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