7 replies to this topic

[Swirlysnowflake]

There was a absolutely huge monomorium colony in my backyard moving to a new nesting spot so I collected some queens and workers as they were traveling (I left tons of queens behind btw, I didn’t collect them all). I put them into a container with a test tube in hopes of getting them to move in but they are just sitting in a corner. I’m worried about them dehydrating, so how do I get them to move into the tube? It’s already covered and dark (the tube) but the monos don’t seem to care about being in the open.

[B_rad0806]

Even if they are not in the tube the ants would go back in there to get water when it is needed

[Swirlysnowflake]

Even if they are not in the tube the ants would go back in there to get water when it is needed

Doesn’t the brood need higher humidity though?

[B_rad0806]

 

Even if they are not in the tube the ants would go back in there to get water when it is needed

Doesn’t the brood need higher humidity though?

 

I'm pretty sure they don't. At least with my ants. You should be fine though 

[ANTdrew]

Expose them to sunlight while the tube is covered. Also blow on them with a straw.

[UtahAnts]

Monomorium are really hard to move into test-tubes permanently in my experience. If the container has a plaster base, try hydrating the plaster, they usually respond well to that.

[Swirlysnowflake]

Monomorium are really hard to move into test-tubes permanently in my experience. If the container has a plaster base, try hydrating the plaster, they usually respond well to that.

Oh ok, what types of nests do they prefer?

[UtahAnts]

I know naturalistic setups work well, I like using simple petri dish nests, like this one: 

 

 

 

As far as moisture goes, they like a little bit, but large drops of condensation can be dangerous. You could stick with the test-tube idea, just bury the tubes in a little substrate, especially around the openings, and let the ants find them and move in by themselves.