8 replies to this topic

[AntPerson11111111]

I am new to ant keeping and a couple of months ago got this queen. She had not been laying eggs and I was worried. Today I went to check on her and there is this weird hole in the cotton ball and next to it is what looks like the missing chunk. Her tube is a mess anyways and I am trying to decide if I should let her go. I live in Texas, near the coast, if that helps with anything.

[Broncos]

Sounds like she isn't mated or is way to stressed. 

[AntPerson11111111]

She shouldn’t be stressed because I only check on her once or twice every week.

[bmb1bee]

I am new to ant keeping and a couple of months ago got this queen. She had not been laying eggs and I was worried. Today I went to check on her and there is this weird hole in the cotton ball and next to it is what looks like the missing chunk. Her tube is a mess anyways and I am trying to decide if I should let her go. I live in Texas, near the coast, if that helps with anything.

What species, and how did you get her?

[DDD101DDD]

It's just a thing queens do. Don't get concerned, it's pretty normal, and doesn't really indicate fertility. 

[T.C.]

Post pictures of the Tube Setup. 

[AntPerson11111111]

https://postimg.cc/gallery/MzdXS8F

These are the best pictures I can get of her. I don’t know what species she is but I know that I found her near my pool one morning. To me she almost looks like a fire ant but I might be wrong. Also, another problem, she is running out of water because when I made the tube setup I did not put tons of water in there. I think she might’ve actually dug into the cotton ball to get to the water easier. How do y’all think I could refill the water without possibly removing her from her eggs (if she’s laid them)?

[T.C.]

I would suggest just leaving her alone.

[AntPerson11111111]

Ok