2 replies to this topic

[Nawor3565]

I recently set up a new outworld connected to my Lasius Niger's formicarium using a few feet of vinyl tubing. At least two feet of the tubing goes vertically straight up. I never would have thought this was an issue, since all people talk about are ways to STOP ants from climbing up walls, but today I saw two of the Lasius trying to climb the tube and failing. They would get a few inches up, fall down, and then try again. For now, I moved the outworld to the same level as the formicarium, but this begs the question, why? None of my other colonies have any trouble climbing that tubing, both smaller and larger species. Do Lasius just have terrible climbing abilities, or is there something wrong with my colony that I need to address?

 

Thanks!

[Kaelwizard]

Lasius are excellent climbers. And normally ants have a lot of trouble climbing vertical tubing, but they can climb vertical walls easily. It is hard for them to grip something that is cylindrical like tubing when it is vertical.

[ANTdrew]

Seems like you solved it by keeping it more level, but you could consider scuffing up the inside of the tube some. Maybe wrap some sand paper around a long implement of some kind.
My Crematogaster have zero trouble climbing vertical tubing, and it’s a ton of fun watching them march up and down. Some do slip from time to time, though, which is hilarious.