4 replies to this topic

[Devi]

Hey guys, I had a few questions about my tetramorium colony.  There are around 50 workers, and lately they have been LOVING their outworld...  This morning I counted 20-25 ants in the outworld which seems like a lot due to the small size...  Do you guys think this is normal, or am I doing something wrong?  Also, I'm getting conflicting reports on if I should hibernate them or not...

[Kaelwizard]

I mean it gives you a break if you do hibernate them.

[DDD101DDD]

Have you been feeding them?

[Devi]

Have you been feeding them?

Yes, I have been feeding them...  In fact I am prepraring a fresh grasshopper for them tonight.    On the same topic of feeding, there is a grasshopper that has been in their mini hearth for almost a week now...  They have COMPLETELY hollowed it out which is expected.  But when I try and take it out, a bunch run out and run all over it, so I can't figure out how to throw it away with out throwing away an ant.    Any insight on that??

[ANTdrew]

It's totally normal for tons of Tetramorium workers to be out foraging at all times. I definitely recommend hibernating them for your own sanity, but they don't necessarily need it.

Cleaning gets tricky with little ants that like to hang out chewing on the insides of old feeder insects. Definitely tap and shake anything before you try picking it up. A feather comes in handy for brushing them off stuff. I also highly recommend making or buying an aspirator to quickly suck up any ants that run out of trash you collect. I can't imagine keeping ants now without an aspirator. With an aspirator, you can drop old trash in another container, then suck up the ants when they run out of it. This is the only way I can clean my huge colonies now.