3 replies to this topic

[JCRHJM]

Hi all,

 

my Myrmecia forficata queen and her workers have unfortunately passed away recently and I was wondering on what the best way of cleaning the acrylic nest was for future use. Currently I have given the layers a wipe down with water. 

 

It would also be appreciated if anyone has any ideas about the reason for the passing of this colony, for context, the brood had been failing to pupate for many months. Recently the workers (3 of them) started dropping off and the queen followed a few weeks after. 

[antsriondel]

You should soak the nest in soap and water. Also Myrmecia pupae needs sand to pupate, do your ants have access to substrate of some sort?

[JCRHJM]

You should soak the nest in soap and water. Also Myrmecia pupae needs sand to pupate, do your ants have access to substrate of some sort?

Will do, the ants did have access to sand and coco fibre, the first generation of workers were able to develop properly but further generations haven't for some reason

[T.C.]

Acrylic nests aren't ideal for a lot of species. I've had a lot of deaths in 3D printed and acrylic designs.  With that being said I'd take it apart and just use hot water and dish soap like dawn. Where did the nest come from?