6 replies to this topic

[alwayslearning]

I know this is a recurrent topic, however, technologies evolves and so products and advices.

 

I have a couple colonies still in the test tubes. Every time I have to clean the tubes or add protein (shrimps) and a drop of nectar, it turns into hell of a fight.

Do you know any product that I can use at the end of the tube that could prevent the ants from escaping? And yes, I could put cotton but I want some kind of liquid to keep the tube open allowing me to do maintenance. (To avoid jokes  )

I don't know if this exists and if so, if it is recomendable or really useful.

 

In any case, I would appreciate advice. Thanks for your time!

[ReignofRage]

Refrigerating your colony for 5-15 minutes should make them slow down enough for you to remove old food and add new food.

[MrPurpleB]

I'm not aware of a product that leaves the end of the tube opened and not escape. I feel your struggle since it is quite annoying to have ants escape or run in frenzy.

I solved this issue by providing an outworld to my ants when they get their first workers and begin to forage. I place a test tube in a container. Either make sure the container has a lid or a form ofinsect slip barrier to prevent them from escaping. Then I place food in the container, which workers should begin to forage. You can use plaster, sand or sticky tac to prevent the tube from rolling. Some hobbyist even use pencil cases as a small outworld for smaller colonies and its work fairly well.

Just a tip if you plan to only use a lid without insect barrier, refrigerate (not the freezer) the ants for 5 to 10 minutes. This slows them down so you are able to feed them quickly before they begin to move in a frenzy. I'm not sure if all ants can be refrigated, so you might have to ask.

You could also connect a vinyl tube directly from your test tube to a small container. The small container is the outworld. I have used deli cups as an outworld.

[manik]

what i would do is take a bigger container and put the test tube in it, put a barrier on the container and clean away, if they space they will stay in the bigger container and if you just wait they will go back in the test tube and you just have to plug it back up

[ConcordAntman]

I agree with MrPurpleB, provide an outworld. I connect my brood containing test tubes to another test tube using an AC portal once the colony’s nanitics begin to eclose. This gives you a clean tube and a feeding area. You can encourage the budding colony to move with light and heat. 
 

 

 

You could also join 2 test tubes with 3/8” or  1/2” tubing and 2 adapters so you could have a “clean” nest but you’d lose the benefit of a feeding area. 

[alwayslearning]

Thanks for you advice! I appreciate it a lot!

[ANTdrew]

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