8 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

I have a Lasius neoniger colony that is about 2 years old and growing fast. But, I'm not thrilled with the ascetics of their set up. Far too many of them hang around in the outworld in the water feeding test tube. I don't think their nest is too small, more that their outworld isn't large enough for them to do normal scavenging and trail-making behaviors. 

 

I'd like something that was less like a box of listless overfed ants.

 

A natural set up could be nice... but how to make an aquarium ant proof without making it ugly?

 

Also it'd be a shame to never see the queen again.

 

I'm considering making a plaster nest with some long tunnels for them to explore and so there could be traffic going in and out as if from underground. But I'm open to any ideas. 

 

I know my queen could live for many years and I want something the whole family can enjoy watching. 

 

What is the most elegant setup for such tiny ants?

 

What about water feeding methods that don't need to be changed often AND that don't let the ants drown by crawling inside of the feeder?

 

(I'm much more happy with my Pogonomyrmex and their dirt nests in glass panes and with my camponotus who live in wooden nests each with big glass outworlds. I can get another big glass outworld but they are expensive and I don't see the point if they are just going to mill around all over the place as they do now with their medium large outworld.)

[lazyant]

With the terrarium fluon may be an option for not being hecka ugly. Also not seeing the queen is very annoying. With the ytong/plaster nest, I kind of think that's a fire idea. I think IF you do the plaster/ytong nest right it would be amazing. About the feeders I don't know sorry

[antgallery]

You could try making a wooden nest with tons of tunnels for them (I've heard they can nest in dry wood but I'm not positive) and then just attaching it to a large outworld and make that look nice. In my opinion wood nests look great and if you make a nice outworld to go along with it than I think you'd have a great looking setup.

[ZTYguy]

I’d suggest getting a wood nest from foranto wood nests

[ANTdrew]

I don’t think Foranto nests would provide enough humidity for this soil nesting species. A natural setup will get messy quick with excavated dirt, and you won’t be able to observe anything. I say get a big flat THA nest like a Labyrinth. Make your own attractive mega outworld to attach to it.

[antsriondel]

I don’t think Foranto nests would provide enough humidity for this soil nesting species. A natural setup will get messy quick with excavated dirt, and you won’t be able to observe anything. I say get a big flat THA nest like a Labyrinth. Make your own attractive mega outworld to attach to it.

yes, get a labyrinth.

[T.C.]

I've kept this species for a long time. My best colony hit 5 years before it was sold. They were housed in a acrylic nest. Others were in my 3D printed designs and all thrived. I'd look into get something like that for them. Avoid wood and plaster with this species.

Edited by T.C., April 25 2022 - 3:58 AM.

[futurebird]

So I wanted to share how this all turned out. I ended up making a nest! But the first one I made was filled very quickly so I made an even bigger one. Here is how I did it:

 

 

And this is how they are doing in their new nest and a little history of this colony:

 

 

Today I saw the queen laying one egg after another. I bet she wants to see if she can get me to make an even BIGGER nest...

 

[Tai_pan1]

Nice videos!  I love the egg laying video.