Caught a camponotus ant queen by the river, my wife saw her pulling off her wings and let me know! I guess she was listening when I was telling her about ants lol. Will be interesting to see how she (the queen not my wife) does. I have her in a test tube set up, little over half filled with water and using cotton balls. From my understanding If things go according to plan I will have 5-20 workers before they go into hibernation (though it is possible the brood may not hatch before hibernation). I imagine there are a lot of people in here who have kept this type of ant so I have a question or two. Did you leave a new queen and her fresh brood in the test tube during hibernation during winter? If so should I move them to a new clean test tube with fresh water at some point?
Or once the first new brood has been around for a few weeks should I consider moving them to a formicarian? Probably a small one? I feel like leaving them in the test tube is the correct thing to do but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. How do I know when they're done hibernating?
Thinking ill eventually purchase the hybrid nest from ants Canada as it seems like a well made nest and will keep things easy. Any tips for a guy trying to raise his first Camponotus queen from scratch? Oh found her in Oregon.
