11 replies to this topic

[Queen]

I have a C. sansabeanus colony at around 30 workers. I finally decided to move them out of a very small test tube into a THA Fortress. It's been about 3 days and they don't seem to want to live in the THA Fortress chambers but rather in its outworld. The queen and all workers hang out in a corner of the outworld standing over all the eggs, larvae, and pupae. Occasionally, one or two workers will go into the nest to roam about before leaving, and at times the eggs may be scattered everywhere in the outworld but are eventually collected.

 

I followed instructions and research with the seller, on this forum, as well as informational videos on YouTube. Wondering why the colony won't move into the nest but rather reside in the outworld...

 

THA Fortress Nest:

-Water dish filled 2/3s for moisture 

-Has one ventilation tube

-Has heat cable in 1 corner to create a heat gradient

-No garbage/trash seen inside any chamber

-Does not have red tape/film to block out light, but I turn the nest to a darker area of the room to minimize light

 

THA Fortress Outworld:

-Has water and sugar water tower

-Has feeding dish (uneaten food cleaned regularly)

-Does not have red tape/film to block out light, however, it's always bright because its usually facing the area of the room with most light

[TechAnt]

Honestly, I had the same problem with my Camponotus vicinus colony once, I did every bit of advice people gave me. But they still lived in their outworld, honestly you need to may need to give them a little more time, Camponotus are stubborn, finally my C. vicinus moved in, it took a week but they did. You could cause disturbances in the outworld to get them more inclined to move inside. Nothing that will harm them, of course. 

[TestSubjectOne]

My experience with this species is that their brood need very little moisture and therefore don't mind living outside their nest. Can the queen fit into the bottom section of the nest? If there is nothing physically preventing them from moving in then it might be best to let them take their time. They are preparing for hibernation now so they will be inactive.

[Queen]

Thank you all!

 

The queen fit, I was surprised too. The queen hasn't been to the water dish chamber yet. While I don't know if she can comfortably fit, but by the looks of it she is able to fit (I mean, she did squeeze through the small entrance that connects the nest to outworld. I do notice all of them are very inactive... They just sit there and do nothing.

 

 

My experience with this species is that their brood need very little moisture and therefore don't mind living outside their nest. Can the queen fit into the bottom section of the nest? If there is nothing physically preventing them from moving in then it might be best to let them take their time. They are preparing for hibernation now so they will be inactive.

 

Is it harmful for them if they live in the outworld? I am just worried because their eggs kind of blend in with the sand and I have to really pay attention when I put down the feeding dish.

[TestSubjectOne]

Mine lived in the outworld for a few days because their nest was overheated with no issues. I've heard that some Camponotus species don't need moisture in their nest as long as they have drinking water separate from their nest water dish and I believe C. sansabeanus is one of those. For the feeding dish, maybe you could leave it in place and simply add or remove food from it?

[ANTdrew]

Take a straw and blow on them every so often to make the outworld seem uncomfortable (ants hate smelling mammal breath in their nest for obvious reasons). Tape some tinfoil or a card over the glass to make it more welcoming in the nest.
Camponotus can be pretty dumb and stubborn. And, yes, INACTIVE.

[KitsAntVa]

This is why I will only keep small camponotus because they are much better than bigger ones and are more active.

[Queen]

Thanks everyone!

 

But I should still fill the water dish inside the nest 2/3 full right? I mean, so just that one area has moisture and they can use it if they want to.

[ANTdrew]

Yes, fill one water tower, so they can choose a dryer or moister area.

[Queen]

Yes, fill one water tower, so they can choose a dryer or moister area.

 

Thank you very much! Sounds like the instructions/procedures I followed are good. It's just this species may be stubborn. Glad I did my due diligence!

[ghoguma]

You could shine the outworld with lamp to encouraging them to move in.

[TechAnt]

You could shine the outworld with lamp to encouraging them to move in.

Camponotus are unphased by light. They don't care about it, I shined a bright reading light right in front of my C. vicinus and they never cared a bit.

Edited by TechAnt, October 12 2020 - 9:22 PM.