81 replies to this topic

[PaigeX]

This is the cheap Glass drill bit set I brought that works well https://www.ebay.com...tm/293892295596

All you need is water and watch a few youtube videos that show to just let the weight of the drill do the work and not press on it.

As for the mesh I would replace with this. https://www.ebay.com...m/133850734950 
Its what I use for everything. Its Stainless steel mesh, mesh: 100. You can buy higher mesh count but costs more.

 

On another Note, I travelled yesterday to and around the area of pelican park, Moreton bay and saw a huge Camponotus consobrinus infestation. Their Majors were HUGE! We picked another spot and I was not able to get a picture but there were like 20 nests within a small 6meter area. I wouldn't wanna sit there for a picnic. They seemed to LOVE the sandy soil and sea breeze. 

[Shazza]

Wow, I didn't realise that you could get glass's drilling sets so cheep now. Certainly makes modifications a lot more viable.

I wish I had wild colony's that large around me, I'm lucky to find 1 or 2 foraging workers around my house.

Il be ordering the new set up this week hopefully

[PaigeX]

Wow, I didn't realise that you could get glass's drilling sets so cheep now. Certainly makes modifications a lot more viable.

I wish I had wild colony's that large around me, I'm lucky to find 1 or 2 foraging workers around my house.

Il be ordering the new set up this week hopefully

Yea they are the cheap ones and don't last a very long time but you can buy that set for the same price you would buy one drill bit in Bunnings. 
 

[markomac]

I can confirm that buying one from Bunnings is more expensive than buying that set. I may have paid near double for the one I used.

And I’ll definitely look into some of that mesh.

[Shazza]

A few quick pictures. Sorry for the quality, I can only do so well with my phone and one of the containers is opaque.

For some reason they do not like honey, they also never take protein back to the nest. They consume it and then return to the nest



Just a couple close ups

[PaigeX]

They might be full on the honey and don't need any more at this time. They will get some when they need it.

[Shazza]

Nah it's weird, they act aggressive to the honey for some reason. Il try it and they will atack it. They will gorge themselves on sugar water at the same time so I don't think they Re full

[JCRHJM]

maybe you could try some fruits though they should be washed thoroughly to remove pesticides

[PaigeX]

tonight while I was outside looking for queens. (only found one) I saw a bunch of Camponotus Humilior on wattle flowers, maybe they don't like the honey as much because its too thick and the sugar water is runny like nectar.

[Shazza]

That's a good point, I have tried to water it down before but that was in the very beginning. I will try to water it down again

[Shazza]

It was enevitable, first death of the colony 😞

The workers fore some reason have dismembered it, the Queen even got in on the action.



Would the colony be eating it?

[ANTdrew]

I don’t think any ants like pure honey. It’s too thick for them to lap up. Definitely water it down.

Edited by ANTdrew, January 3 2022 - 4:19 AM.

[PaigeX]

I don’t think any ants like pure honey. It’s too thick for them to lap up. Definitely water it down.

Mine all Love it. But I've found the Camponotus Humilior I have don't like pure as much. seeming the banded sugar ant is very closely related to Camponotus Humilior, it might be a trait along their kind.

[Shazza]

Time for a quick update, colony is going very well. 45+ in numbers and big brood piles.

They still live up to there name of the Nomads as they are still forever moving around.

I have ordered a new formicarioum and out world, so il post some pics once I get it!!!!

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[JCRHJM]

Interesting that they are content to stay out in the open, but at least they are doing well

[Shazza]

Ye I thought it was always odd that they did and also when they separate brood it is a long way from the other groups.

Received the new formicarium,outworld and feeders today!!!!!! The nest is a bit smaller then what I thought it was going to be so I think they will out grow it quickly.

I have hooked it all upand il give then a few days to see if they move on there own.

The feeders and out world I am realy happy with.

Some pics below.

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[United-Ants]

Ye I thought it was always odd that they did and also when they separate brood it is a long way from the other groups.

Received the new formicarium,outworld and feeders today!!!!!! The nest is a bit smaller then what I thought it was going to be so I think they will out grow it quickly.

I have hooked it all upand il give then a few days to see if they move on there own.

The feeders and out world I am realy happy with.

Some pics below.

those are very pretty ants 

[Shazza]

Ye I thought it was always odd that they did and also when they separate brood it is a long way from the other groups.

Received the new formicarium,outworld and feeders today!!!!!! The nest is a bit smaller then what I thought it was going to be so I think they will out grow it quickly.

I have hooked it all upand il give then a few days to see if they move on there own.

The feeders and out world I am realy happy with.

Some pics below.

those are very pretty ants

Thanks, they are def one of my favourites, IRL they are a darker orange. For some reason the camera on my phone makes all the images a lot whiter for some reason.

[Shazza]

Quick update, colony is loving the new out world area and liquid feeders.

As usual the colony can not make its mind up, they are storing the cocoons in the new nest with around 10 workers. The larvae is kept in one corner of the old out world and the eggs and newelly hatched larvae are in 2 different areas in the old out world also. Cocoons are being kept around 40cm away from the rest of the colony. Weird how the separate so much...

[ANTS_KL]

Quick update, colony is loving the new out world area and liquid feeders.

As usual the colony can not make its mind up, they are storing the cocoons in the new nest with around 10 workers. The larvae is kept in one corner of the old out world and the eggs and newelly hatched larvae are in 2 different areas in the old out world also. Cocoons are being kept around 40cm away from the rest of the colony. Weird how the separate so much...

Could be to regulate the humidity for better brood development.