24 replies to this topic

[BrittonLS]

If you don't have any isolated from the sides I suppose you could make a hole for tubing that you keep stuffed with cotton for moving? Again if you use something to get the ants to move though you'll upset the others. This is why I am trying to do my drawer idea, but have kinda fallen behind on it lol.

[antsinmypants]

There have been times when I thought about using divided containers as a solution, but like BrittonLS said, this means opening the lid on all of them, just to get into one. If you want to move one of them somewhere, you will be moving all of them. If you need to wash one of them out, you certainly won't be putting it in the sink and washing it the easy way, unless you want the rest of your colonies going down the drain. There are obviously some advantages, which is why I have thought about it before myself, but I always figured the bad outweighed the good in my opinion, so I left the idea alone. We all have different values and priorities though, so maybe the good outweighs the bad for others.

What I meant about cleaning the tackle box is just that: cleaning the whole tackle box when all the queens are no longer in there, either b/c I moved them out or b/c they passed on. That said, I can take a moistened paper towel and easily clean up a spill or stain on the plastic surface in a single compartment within the tackle box if there are still other queens present. Glass is much harder to clean. Although the other queens will be disturbed whenever the lid is lifted up, I generally do whatever maintence is necessary all at a single moment in time. I have found it too time-consuming to individually handle multiple single test tubes, dealing with the cotton plugs, carefully placing food in the test tube without having the ants escape, etc. Most importantly, I experienced much less neck pain and dizziness with the tackle boxes than with the multitude of test tubes. So yes, you are absolutely right, what works for some may make less sense for others.

[PTAntFan]

This thread inspired me to sit down and create an overdue post on a design I made for my Pogonomyrmex queen.  It was inspired by Drew's work, so I named it The Drewcarium.  Check it out. I hope it will be a good design for Pogonomyrmex.

[Foogoo]

I really have no idea what is optimal now. Of the Pogonomyrmex I have in test tubes, test tubes with dirt, THA nests and my founding nests, there's pretty much one of each that have a nice huge pile of eggs and at least one that has died...

[nurbs]

I don't know if I was just lucky or what, but two years ago I found two P. californicus. Raised them in a test tube setup with dirt inside. Was my first time. I was a total Pogonomyrmex virgin.

 

Both got to a few workers and one of the queen dies. I gave her remaining eggs to the other queen and the colony is now doing well.

 

I found that they really love crushed sunflower seeds and rotisserie chicken, as well as bits of apple (make sure to wash thoroughly or peel the skin... it eliminates the peticide).

 

Good luck!!!