9 replies to this topic

[MrCobalt]

I have a Tetramorium immigrans colony that seems to be very shy and slow in growth in general. This is I think their third year and they have around 75 - 150 workers if I had to guesstimate. They are very, very shy with foraging, and they rarely head into the outworld. I sometimes get so worried that they aren't eating that I pop open the nest for a moment to put in some food (which they gladly eat). 

 

It's also weird that they are literally scared of some peanut butter I offered them. Like I have seen 3 different workers "sneak up" to the peanut butter, touch it, and then run off like they were dared to poke it. The most I've seen this year is 2 in the outworld at once, and only one was eating some breading for a taquito that I gave them, since my mom who is also keeping a colony of Tetramorium i. said that hers like the breading. I live in Vermont btw, if that helps with any information about how my ants are supposed to behave seasonally.

 

Is there anything I can do to make sure they are getting the food that they need? I give them water, and my room (and by extension their nest) stays around 70-75F consistently, except in winter when it goes down to usually 60-65F and they sit next to a wall where it is usually a bit colder. I have no idea what they are missing or don't like.

[Manitobant]

Do you also feed them sugar water and insects? If yes, it seems like you just have a bad queen.

[TacticalHandleGaming]

What are they being kept in? Are you using a heat pad or cable? How much brood do they have? What's their diet like? Why are you feeding them peanut butter instead of proper insects, seeds, or fish food flakes? They should also have constant sugars available. Like byformica sunburst.

 

My experience with them is that they grow rapidly, especially when given heat, tons of protein, and proper humidity.

Edited by TacticalHandleGaming, May 6 2022 - 8:54 PM.

[T.C.]

Bump up the temperature if you can and feed a steady supply of insects. I feed my colonies fresh insects and raw chicken every three days. As well heating cables run through their nests. Post a picture of the nest. Seeing the nest could give a lot of answers to your problem.

[ANTdrew]

Tetramorium absolutely cannot thrive under 75 degrees F.

[MrCobalt]

Tetramorium absolutely cannot thrive under 75 degrees F.

Huh, ok, do you have any recommendations for heating pads I can use?

[MrCobalt]

What are they being kept in? Are you using a heat pad or cable? How much brood do they have? What's their diet like? Why are you feeding them peanut butter instead of proper insects, seeds, or fish food flakes? They should also have constant sugars available. Like byformica sunburst.

 

My experience with them is that they grow rapidly, especially when given heat, tons of protein, and proper humidity.

I'm keeping them in a tarheelants enclosure, nest and outworld combo though I'm not sure which one. I am not using heat pad or heating cable. I have no idea how much brood they have because they built a wall around them on top of the water container. I feed them fruits, mealworms/crickets (from the pet store), and various food scraps that I think they would like. I'm feeding them peanut butter because they have liked it before, and I like to give them a few choices at once. I will probably make them a water feeder to give them some sugar water. 

[MrCobalt]

Do you also feed them sugar water and insects? If yes, it seems like you just have a bad queen.

idk why the queen would affect the foraging, but maybe, since she literally came from my outdoor pool. Something def could've gone wrong from almost drowning and being in bleach. But she has lived for 3 years, so I'm not too worried about her

[m99]

If you haven't been giving them a constant sugar supply that's probably it. Some fruit now and then isn't enough to convince them it's safe to grow. That's their daily "running around" calories right there, they need access to it 24/7 ideally.

 

I bet once you put a sugar feeder in and keep it there, they'll perk right up and you'll be swimming in brood before long.

[TacticalHandleGaming]

 

What are they being kept in? Are you using a heat pad or cable? How much brood do they have? What's their diet like? Why are you feeding them peanut butter instead of proper insects, seeds, or fish food flakes? They should also have constant sugars available. Like byformica sunburst.

 

My experience with them is that they grow rapidly, especially when given heat, tons of protein, and proper humidity.

I'm keeping them in a tarheelants enclosure, nest and outworld combo though I'm not sure which one. I am not using heat pad or heating cable. I have no idea how much brood they have because they built a wall around them on top of the water container. I feed them fruits, mealworms/crickets (from the pet store), and various food scraps that I think they would like. I'm feeding them peanut butter because they have liked it before, and I like to give them a few choices at once. I will probably make them a water feeder to give them some sugar water. 

 

No heat source is your main issue here. Get a heat pad of cable with a temp controller. I use this heat cable, with this controller.

Edited by TacticalHandleGaming, May 7 2022 - 7:59 PM.