18 replies to this topic

[MinigunL5]

So for a while my ~35 worker Camponotus novaeboracensis colony has made a trash/[censored] pile in their Mini Hearth(pictures are linked). Today I was moving their nest and somehow(idk how) some of the water in the water tank spilled out and hydrated the type III material. Could this lead to a mold problem? Is there already mold there? Lastly, should I move them out? (Btw I know I need to hibernate them I just don't have anywhere to do it. Hopefully I can get a mini fridge soon.)

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[ZTYguy]

Looks moldy, if it starts to spread you should consider taking them out. I am a very cautious anter so I would have taken them out already but it doesn't seem too bad.

[ANTdrew]

All my set ups have way worse stuff in them. Just let it dry out a bit. I wouldn’t even worry about that. A regular fridge works for hibernation, too, if your family will let you.

[MinigunL5]

All my set ups have way worse stuff in them. Just let it dry out a bit. I wouldn’t even worry about that. A regular fridge works for hibernation, too, if your family will let you.

Thank you. I also saw a worker fall on it's back and stay there but then got back up a minute or 2 later. What could've caused this? I already had a worker die like this a week ago. I also noticed that the workers started acting strange after foraging in the outworld. Btw, both of these were older workers(possibly nanitics). I caught the queen this May and the workers eclosed in a normal time(not sure when) so it seems like they might be a bit young to die from old age.

[ZTYguy]

Who knows, they might be dieing of old age. I have had nanitics die in early months and the colony thrived. It all depends on the colony.

[Ants_Dakota]

you might need more ventilation. this is a might, but i have seen some of my ants do the same thing when there is no ventilation. 

[MinigunL5]

you might need more ventilation. this is a might, but i have seen some of my ants do the same thing when there is no ventilation. 

Wdym?

[ZTYguy]

I think he means air holes or a way to get air straight to the outworld or nest.

[MinigunL5]

I think he means air holes or a way to get air straight to the outworld or nest.

I am confused why though? Is he saying the ants are dying because their Mini Hearth is not ventilated enough?

[ZTYguy]

I believe so.

[ZTYguy]

Idk, Ants_Dakota is a mysterious guy

[Ants_Dakota]

Idk, Ants_Dakota is a mysterious guy

haha. i do mean that there is no air flow into the mini hearth. that means that the air stays in there forever, so it is easy for bad things to stay in the air and reproduce easily. this has also killed some of my ants when i had no ventilation and there was something bad in the air. i don't know what it was but i smelled it. hope this helps!

Edited by Ants_Dakota, November 10 2020 - 8:11 AM.

[ANTdrew]

You can put empty nestmates in as vents.

[Ants_Dakota]

You can put empty nestmates in as vents.

that is a really good idea!

[MinigunL5]

You can put empty nestmates in as vents.

What should I do if I don't have nest-mates?

[Ants_Dakota]

if you have mesh, you could create your own. camponotus is really big, so even large mesh would work

Edited by Ants_Dakota, November 10 2020 - 9:59 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Stuff cotton in the holes.

[Ants_Dakota]

Stuff cotton in the holes.

or you could ignore my over complicated answer and go with this simple and easy one. (how could i not have thought of that)

Edited by Ants_Dakota, November 10 2020 - 10:00 AM.

[MinigunL5]

Stuff cotton in the holes.

Okay