6 replies to this topic

[Swirlysnowflake]

I have a colony of Tetramorium immigrans, with 15- 20 workers. They were in a tubs and tubes setup with dry sand as substrate. They started to bring sand into the test tube and stick it to the cotton to moisten it, then started putting it into the ground. Today they moved out of the test tube and into the sand. I'm afraid that the tunnels they built might collapse if the container is moved at all. Should I leave them in the sand, or is there some way to get them out without harming the queen. Thanks in advance!

[ANTdrew]

I would try to get them out of the sand. Just figure out where they’re digging and gently brush away the sand with a feather to make it unsuitable for nesting.
Sand is a good substrate for them, but it should be bone DRY and a very thin layer. I’ve had many colonies with dry sand substrate, and they’ve never dug in it.

[AntsMaryland]

Make sure to cover the test tube up so it's dark. They tend to like it. Something must have been stressing them out to get them to move like that. OR their was a lot of sand in the outworld area, and in that case – tetras LOVE to dig.

[Swirlysnowflake]

Make sure to cover the test tube up so it's dark. They tend to like it. Something must have been stressing them out to get them to move like that. OR their was a lot of sand in the outworld area, and in that case – tetras LOVE to dig.

There is a 3/4 inch layer of sand in the outworld...

[RushmoreAnts]

 

Make sure to cover the test tube up so it's dark. They tend to like it. Something must have been stressing them out to get them to move like that. OR their was a lot of sand in the outworld area, and in that case – tetras LOVE to dig.

There is a 3/4 inch layer of sand in the outworld...

 

That might be a little much.

[ANTdrew]

Yeah, too much. Keep it at 1/4 inch and dryer than an AA meeting.

[AntsMaryland]

Yeah, too much. Keep it at 1/4 inch and dryer than an AA meeting.