6 replies to this topic

[Jonny8040]

Hey guys!
I was wondering if not covering an ant colony could result in the queen being stressed and not laying eggs. I had a crematogaster queen in a tube until I finished her founding nest and she laid eggs without being covered and my light being turned off and on a lot and she is doing great. But some colonies tend to go a little crazy when they see light. Would they get used to being uncovered or is it too much stress?

Thanks!

In Jesus,
Jonny

[DDD101DDD]

It depends on species. My Camponotus are uncovered and they don't seem to be bothered by light. But my lasius really don't like light.

[Jonny8040]

I agree!

[ANTdrew]

Crematogaster don’t care about light at all. I think most wood nesting ants don’t.

[TechAnt]

My Pheidole hate, and I mean HATE HATE HATE HATE light. While my C. Vicinus don’t care if I shine one or a hundred lights, they act like nothing is different. So I would concur that wood nesting ants (and stuff similar like Campontous spp.) don't care for light.

[Antkid12]

My Pheidole morrisii hate light too. Whenever I check on them they run around and open their jaws.

[OhNoNotAgain]

I think I saw Mack of THA say his ants are left uncovered, no red filter, etc.

Actually right now ALL of mine are too. I tend to leave them in the dark when founding, though. Once they have workers they get the rude shock of having tubes stuck in open-top bins in a busy room. Of course, Tetramorium fight back by covering the windows with sand.