14 replies to this topic

[TheMicroPlanet]

I can see how feeding colonies in test tubes can be a little tedious, especially with small and fast ants. So I was wondering if maybe you could freeze them before feeding (for 5 minutes or less; basically chilling, not freezing)? I don't know if this would harm the queen or brood, and i'm sort of scared to try it. I suppose I could put the colony in a tubs & tubes setup instead.

 

NOTE: I don't actually have any colonies yet, so the more info I can get on this, the better.

[TheMicroPlanet]

I imagine Prenolepis imparis would be fine with this, but I don't  know about any other ants in this region.

[TennesseeAnts]

NEVER put anything live in the freezer without the intention of killing it.

[Unfrozen]

fridge not freezer

[Skwiggledork]

Once they get enough workers that feeding them in the test tube become a hassle, I would just give them an outworld.

[drtrmiller]

Test tubes should never, under any circumstances, be exposed to drastic changes in temperature.  Doing so can cause excessive condensation in the test tube, and contraction/expansion of the water supply, leading to catastrophic consequences like floods.

[TheMicroPlanet]

Yeah I should've specified: i meant in the fridge, definitely not freezer. However, now I think puting the test tube in a small container should suffice.

Edited by TheMicroPlanet, December 16 2019 - 12:33 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

It depends on where he lives, but a lot of tropical/subtropical/desert ants would die even in the refrigerator if they're in there too long. However, I feel perfectly comfortable putting ants into cold. Midwestern natives (Camponotus especially) has been known to survive temps much lower than the freezer. 

[Manitobant]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Just toss the food in there and quickly seal the tube back up.

[RushmoreAnts]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Just toss the food in there and quickly seal the tube back up.

Although that is how I feed them. 

[TheMicroPlanet]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Just toss the food in there and quickly seal the tube back up.

I'm just nervous i'll get a few escapees. I still think puting the colony in a tubs-and-tubes setup would be the best idea until it's big enough for a formicarium.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I wouldn't worry about them escaping the test tube during feeding. In my experience, unless you have a colony that is large enough to actually be in a formicarium, they will just cower in the corner, not even really knowing that they can get out. Just don't take the cotton out if there is a worker on it!

[TennesseeAnts]

I usually keep colonies in test tube setups till they have more than 50 workers.

[Somethinghmm]

I usually keep colonies in test tube setups till they have more than 50 workers.

You have to be a magician. My ants start camping the cotton at less than 20 workers.

[NickAnter]

With Nylanderia once they get past 8 workers it is a struggle to test tube feed.  20 is almost impossible.   I imagine with slower ants like Camponotus it would be far easier.  And, I live in Socal, and put a Formica perpilosa worker in our -3 degree fahrenheit freezer, and it survived for at least 30 minutes.  Rather incredible in my opinion.

Edited by NickAnter, December 19 2019 - 8:18 PM.