8 replies to this topic

[NPLT]

So, I have a problem, I have an ant colony that needs a new outworld, and I have an outworld, however, when I want to attach it to their nest, they get aggitated and try to escape, and since it's a small nest, they can escape very fast lest I plug the blocker back in. Wanted to ask if it would be a good idea to slow them down by refrigerating them for a day or so and then attach the outworld?

[ANTdrew]

Can you keep the old outworld on and attach the new one on another side or something? You could more easily deal with the old outworld if the ants are excitedly exploring a new one with more space. Chilling the ants would work, too, but you don’t need an entire day for that.

[futurebird]

1. Large plastic tub method: Get a large plastic tub, like the big boxes for organizing closets. Line the sides with fluon. Put the whole nest in the tub. Make the changes. Keep the aspirator handy in case any escape the tub. Then asperate all of the ants who escaped in the tub when you are done attaching things. Just accept that some ants will get out. Have a plant to capture them.

 

2. Cold treatment Method: This is less safe than the plastic tub as making ants cold could have an impact on their health. But you can always put your ants in the fridge and child them to make them slower. Then you can make modifications with ease. You don't need to leave them in for a day! that's too long. They should be plenty slow and miserable after about 90 min. But avoid this if you have other options. 

 

 

One other tip is to have cotton stoppers made up and handy when disconnecting the tubes. 

Edited by futurebird, June 23 2022 - 6:43 AM.

[NPLT]

Can you keep the old outworld on and attach the new one on another side or something? You could more easily deal with the old outworld if the ants are excitedly exploring a new one with more space. Chilling the ants would work, too, but you don’t need an entire day for that.

I'm sort of forced to keep the old outworld since they're in a Tar Heel Ants nest .

 

 

1. Large plastic tub method: Get a large plastic tub, like the big boxes for organizing closets. Line the sides with fluon. Put the whole nest in the tub. Make the changes. Keep the aspirator handy in case any escape the tub. Then asperate all of the ants who escaped in the tub when you are done attaching things. Just accept that some ants will get out. Have a plant to capture them.

 

2. Cold treatment Method: This is less safe than the plastic tub as making ants cold could have an impact on their health. But you can always put your ants in the fridge and child them to make them slower. Then you can make modifications with ease. You don't need to leave them in for a day! that's too long. They should be plenty slow and miserable after about 90 min. But avoid this if you have other options. 

 

 

One other tip is to have cotton stoppers made up and handy when disconnecting the tubes. 

I, er, I don't have an aspirator, or a tub, so I'm gonna make em colder. It shouldn't kill them right? I'm only gonna cool them to 15 degrees celcius.

Edited by NPLT, June 23 2022 - 10:51 AM.

[FloridaAnts]

Can you keep the old outworld on and attach the new one on another side or something? You could more easily deal with the old outworld if the ants are excitedly exploring a new one with more space. Chilling the ants would work, too, but you don’t need an entire day for that.

I'm sort of forced to keep the old outworld since they're in a Tar Heel Ants nest .
 
 

1. Large plastic tub method: Get a large plastic tub, like the big boxes for organizing closets. Line the sides with fluon. Put the whole nest in the tub. Make the changes. Keep the aspirator handy in case any escape the tub. Then asperate all of the ants who escaped in the tub when you are done attaching things. Just accept that some ants will get out. Have a plant to capture them.
 
2. Cold treatment Method: This is less safe than the plastic tub as making ants cold could have an impact on their health. But you can always put your ants in the fridge and child them to make them slower. Then you can make modifications with ease. You don't need to leave them in for a day! that's too long. They should be plenty slow and miserable after about 90 min. But avoid this if you have other options. 
 
 
One other tip is to have cotton stoppers made up and handy when disconnecting the tubes.

I, er, I don't have an aspirator, or a tub, so I'm gonna make em colder. It shouldn't kill them right? I'm only gonna cool them to 15 degrees celcius.

If this helps, my agressive C. Floridanus tend to be cowards when a nest entrance is opened. Majors stay back, and 5-10 nanitics get out in a 10 second period.

Also, not sure if my fault, but every colony refrigeratate at the right temps, often die if put on heat a day later. If you heat them, maybe wait a few days before heating them again.

[NPLT]

 

 

Can you keep the old outworld on and attach the new one on another side or something? You could more easily deal with the old outworld if the ants are excitedly exploring a new one with more space. Chilling the ants would work, too, but you don’t need an entire day for that.

I'm sort of forced to keep the old outworld since they're in a Tar Heel Ants nest .
 
 

1. Large plastic tub method: Get a large plastic tub, like the big boxes for organizing closets. Line the sides with fluon. Put the whole nest in the tub. Make the changes. Keep the aspirator handy in case any escape the tub. Then asperate all of the ants who escaped in the tub when you are done attaching things. Just accept that some ants will get out. Have a plant to capture them.
 
2. Cold treatment Method: This is less safe than the plastic tub as making ants cold could have an impact on their health. But you can always put your ants in the fridge and child them to make them slower. Then you can make modifications with ease. You don't need to leave them in for a day! that's too long. They should be plenty slow and miserable after about 90 min. But avoid this if you have other options. 
 
 
One other tip is to have cotton stoppers made up and handy when disconnecting the tubes.

I, er, I don't have an aspirator, or a tub, so I'm gonna make em colder. It shouldn't kill them right? I'm only gonna cool them to 15 degrees celcius.

If this helps, my agressive C. Floridanus tend to be cowards when a nest entrance is opened. Majors stay back, and 5-10 nanitics get out in a 10 second period.

Also, not sure if my fault, but every colony refrigeratate at the right temps, often die if put on heat a day later. If you heat them, maybe wait a few days before heating them again.

 

Well, the colony in question is Formica rufibarbis, so not sure how much that applies, and I don't heat them.

[NPLT]

Update: Managed to do it both without freezing and without escapees.

[ANTdrew]

I knew you could do it.

[NPLT]

I knew you could do it.

Turns out the solution was to just use a flashlight to actually see what I'm doing, and moving fast.

Edited by NPLT, June 24 2022 - 6:16 AM.