14 replies to this topic

[to_be_announced]

I have a small colony of Camponotus pennsylvanicus currently in a test tube setup.  Queen with 9 workers.  I have an empty mini hearth currently.  Wondering if it's worth it to move them into there or if it holds such a small number of such a large species that it would be better to hold off and then go from tube to something bigger?  How many of this species do you think a mini hearth could hold?

[ZTYguy]

You could put them in there if you want. A mini hearth can hold more than you think.

[ANTdrew]

A mini-hearth would be ideal for them. Tape the test tube to the mini-hearth or stick it on with mounting putty. Use bright sunlight to move them onto the nest and detach the tube as soon as they vacate.

[gs5248]

I agree. And anyways, if you need an expansion, you could always just get another mini hearth and connect it up to the original one, since they are modular.

[MinigunL5]

Honestly a Mini Hearth would be a bit too big for them in my opinion. I would keep them in a test tubes until they get a few more workers.

[to_be_announced]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I've decided I'm going to go ahead and put them in there.  I know MinigunL5 said he/she thought it was too big, but there are about 5 more workers about to eclose, so I'll be up to 14-15 workers soon.  It'll just be so much easier feeding in the mini hearth.

[ANTdrew]

That’s a perfect size colony for a mini-hearth.

[Skwiggledork]

How many C.pennsylvanicus workers could a mini-hearth hold? Hopefully I will have a mini and an xl mini soon and I got a decent number of workers in my one colony.

[ANTdrew]

Maybe 50 or more. They can just hang on the ceiling.

[JoeByron]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I've decided I'm going to go ahead and put them in there.  I know MinigunL5 said he/she thought it was too big, but there are about 5 more workers about to eclose, so I'll be up to 14-15 workers soon.  It'll just be so much easier feeding in the mini hearth.

 

I know some people said bright sunlight. But I wouldn't use sunlight at all if you don't want to hurt them. Any light would do. I would do one that doesnt get too hot as to not hurt any of the delicate larva or eggs you might have. the greenhouse affect is super easy to create inside a test tube thanks to the curved class. BE CAREFUL!

[to_be_announced]

Thanks JoeByron.  I've got their test tube hooked up to the mini hearth as of this morning.  No light on them now as I had to head to work and didn't want that on them without me being there in case of too much heat or something.  I put some sunburst nectar in the mini hearth outworld and hoping they just find that and realize on their way that the nest is much better than their tube.  Also, their tube is pretty much out of water, so once the cotton dries up, hopefully that helps too, though it's my understanding that Camponotus pennsylvanicus's aren't a species that requires it to be too moist.

[MinigunL5]

Thanks JoeByron.  I've got their test tube hooked up to the mini hearth as of this morning.  No light on them now as I had to head to work and didn't want that on them without me being there in case of too much heat or something.  I put some sunburst nectar in the mini hearth outworld and hoping they just find that and realize on their way that the nest is much better than their tube.  Also, their tube is pretty much out of water, so once the cotton dries up, hopefully that helps too, though it's my understanding that Camponotus pennsylvanicus's aren't a species that requires it to be too moist.

If they don't move in quickly I suggest that you just dump them in. It's the quickest to move ants and works well.

[to_be_announced]

 

If they don't move in quickly I suggest that you just dump them in. It's the quickest to move ants and works well.

 

 

 

I'm certainly considering that option, though I'd like to let them move on their own if possible.  I have the test tube connected directly to the mini hearth through a short piece of tubing.  So if they want some food or sugar, they'll have to go through the hearth to the outworld.  Hopefully that does the trick.  May be a bit until they get hungry though as they had a cricket the day before I hooked them up to the mini hearth.

[Kaelwizard]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've decided I'm going to go ahead and put them in there. I know MinigunL5 said he/she thought it was too big, but there are about 5 more workers about to eclose, so I'll be up to 14-15 workers soon. It'll just be so much easier feeding in the mini hearth.

I know some people said bright sunlight. But I wouldn't use sunlight at all if you don't want to hurt them. Any light would do. I would do one that doesnt get too hot as to not hurt any of the delicate larva or eggs you might have. the greenhouse affect is super easy to create inside a test tube thanks to the curved class. BE CAREFUL!

Sunlight was suggested because it creates conditions that are intolerable for the ants, which prompts them to move. People started using it instead of other light because in captivity ants can get used to light being shined on them. In my own experience, normal light doesn’t seem to bother any of the species I have tried to move.

[ANTdrew]

I’ve used sunlight many times to move colonies. It’s the only thing that will get some of them going. Just do it on a cooler morning and be there to supervise to make sure nothing goes wrong. Hook the nest you want to move them into up a few days beforehand, so the ants have an idea of where to go.

Edited by ANTdrew, April 9 2021 - 10:50 AM.