16 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

I know we have a good number of Socal members and I'm hoping someone will be willing to take and care for my colonies for 3 weeks this coming July. That's usually the hot month so they're pretty much doomed if I leave them. Below is a current picture of my colonies, though I'll probably (hopefully) have more queens by then. They're pretty much all in THA setups. In exchange, I'll give up a few queens/colonies (depending on what I have) or $200 cold hard cash money, provided they're not neglected or eaten by your pet anteater. Any takers?

 

[PTAntFan]

This may be a good deal for me actually.  However, I am not sure about my July travel plans yet either.  Message me your specific dates if you have them.  I know I will likely be gone the very end of July.

[Foogoo]

This may be a good deal for me actually.  However, I am not sure about my July travel plans yet either.  Message me your specific dates if you have them.  I know I will likely be gone the very end of July.

Not certain yet but tentatively I won't be back until July 30 .

[Gregory2455]

I can probably do it if nobody else wants to, Foogoo but do not put me on the top of your queue.

Edited by Gregory2455, April 28 2015 - 10:24 PM.

[Foogoo]

I'm considering leaving a small tube of water plugged with a PVA sponge in each nest. Worst case is the nest will dry out and they'll move into the tube right? I'm thinking about doing a trial but it might not be accurate with the current weather.

[drtrmiller]

If I were going away for a few weeks, I'd make sure the ants were completely fed with sugar and water, and I'd put them in a mini-fridge at between 5 to 8 C to slow their metabolism, in addition to dripping some water into the nests to hydrate the plaster or stone portions.  

 

Even desert ants can survive cold periods—just not freezing temperatures.

[BugFinder]

$200?  Don't you think that's a little much to give to someone for doing something that friends should probably just do for each other as a favor?  We all have to go on vacation at some point...  Sharing/exchanging ant watching duties is probably a good way to help each other out.

[Foogoo]

If I were going away for a few weeks, I'd make sure the ants were completely fed with sugar and water, and I'd put them in a mini-fridge at between 5 to 8 C to slow their metabolism, in addition to dripping some water into the nests to hydrate the plaster or stone portions.  

 

Even desert ants can survive cold periods—just not freezing temperatures.

That's a great idea. Their growth/life cycle won't get messed up going to hibernation in the middle of summer?

 

$200?  Don't you think that's a little much to give to someone for doing something that friends should probably just do for each other as a favor?  We all have to go on vacation at some point...  Sharing/exchanging ant watching duties is probably a good way to help each other out.

I equate it to paying the neighbor's kid to water your lawn. I probably should have been specific, but that would also cover any insects etc. too. Some nights I spend 15 min with my colonies, some nights 2 hours so I thought an incentive for the time and effort spent would be appreciated. At this point however, I'm thinking of going with a few of the methods mentioned to not need a caretaker.

[drtrmiller]

Think of it as the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs. Ants survived that, didn't they?

[Crystals]

I was once in chat with an airline attendant - ants were the only pets that she could have since she was always gone for 2-3 weeks at a time.  She had who ever was house sitting to drop in a mealworm every 3 days and water the nest (some insurance companies require someone to check the house every 2 days or so).

 

Ants are tougher than you might think - look at what the queens alone go through during the founding stage.  Look at the lengths some people go to to try to get rid of them! 

 

The fridge is a good idea, it is just 1-3 times a year, so they will recover quickly enough.  Food isn't so much the issue as moisture.  Water the nests and cover them with suran wrap.plastic wrap to maintain the humidity.

Feed them well the week before and have a test tube with water, and if room, a test tube with sugar water. 

[Chromerust]

Contact Barbara Hunt on the ants California Facebook group. I'm pretty sure she would be willing to help you out. She's not far from you I believe.

[Foogoo]

Contact Barbara Hunt on the ants California Facebook group. I'm pretty sure she would be willing to help you out. She's not far from you I believe.

Yup, I know Barbara. But she's got her hands full so I don't want to burden her.

[Chromerust]

I talked to her and she's down to do it. She was planning on meeting me for some anting today but something came up. She's in the San Gabriel valley. How far is that from you?

[Foogoo]

I talked to her and she's down to do it. She was planning on meeting me for some anting today but something came up. She's in the San Gabriel valley. How far is that from you?

Oh thanks, I'll drop her a line then. She lives about 15 minutes from me, I actually found my Tapinoma under a rock in her yard. 

[bugbarb]

Hey there! I'm here. I'm Barbara Hunt and might be up to it. Depends on the details.

[dspdrew]

Welcome.

[Foogoo]

Hey there! I'm here. I'm Barbara Hunt and might be up to it. Depends on the details.

Welcome! I sent you a FB message last night. I'm going to test the concept of leaving them in the fridge hydrated which will help with my future vacation plans, but some of my queens and young colonies may do better with a sitter.