6 replies to this topic

[Spazmops]

So I got tetramorium nanitics today. Yay! But they won’t go past the first 1/2 of their test tube or into the AC test tube portal I attached. Is this normal? I would think the queen would want food right away... I offered some honey and some clean water, but they’re still hiding. Any tips?

[Zeiss]

They'll go out when they're comfortable.  Keeping ants is all about patience. 

[ANTdrew]

They’ll be very timid until they hit about 40-50 workers, which won’t take long for this species.

[AntsMaryland]

They'll be like this at first. Give it a few more days and they'll be running around a lot more. Don't worry You'll have your hands full soon enough

[ponerinecat]

When any ant colony starts, they will be extremely cautious about how they utilize their nanitics. My Liometopum nanitics wouldn't even touch food a few mm away from them.

[Spazmops]

Thank you guys! I gave them some honey water in their test tube because the queen took longer than most to produce nanitics, and the entire colony immediately drank. My main concern was that the queen would starve, so I’m more content with them taking their time now.

[RushmoreAnts]

Most of the time the nanitics will eat when you're not looking. The timidness is an instinct which allows them to avoid predators more effectively in this delicate stage; and if they can avoid predators, they can definitely avoid you.