4 replies to this topic

[alwayslearning]

Hello, guys! I hope you are doing well.

I'm trying to move 2 colonies (both Camponotus) to a new test tube. Why? Well, both test tubes are pretty dirty and I think one is starting to get moldy.

I have been reading a few posts, watching videos, but... I thought asking would not hurt.

 

What I did?

I plugged the new test tube to the other one. I added a drop of nectar and food in the new (clean) test tube.

I also moved the new test tube to be partially on the heating mat and the old one not touching it (to make it "less comfortable")

This was made 2 days ago. I am aware that some movings can take time, but, is there anything else that I should try? They are still on the old tube.

I have them in a dark space.

 

Should I cover the new tube and expose the old one to the light? If so, could this hurt the eggs/larvae/pupae. Both colonies are small, the Queen and less than 7 workers.

 

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks a lot. 

[ANTdrew]

Direct sunlight will really get them moving, but supervise the whole time to avoid baking the ants.

[DDD101DDD]

Personally I'd dump the colony in to the new tube.

[alwayslearning]

Thanks for the concern.

I have tried the light in the past, and... It didn't work as well as this time. 

One colony moved in less than 30 minutes, the other, in less than 2 hours was in the new tube. I still can't believe it!

I exposed them to the late afternoon sun and covered the new test tube.

Thanks a lot, ANTdrew.

[ANTdrew]

That’s great. Sunlight is a whole other magnitude of brightness compared to any other lights. It will immediately get colonies moving.