Alright.
I did some changes to the Antcube of this colony.
The back started out with a DigFix nest which they dug some tunnels in, but they never really used it and all they did in the past few weeks was storing rubbish in.
So I decided to remove the DigFix and just put some Antstore sand/loam mix for ants in.
According to instructions, I moistened the sand/loam mix, it will then harden and become relatively stable.
I hope with this, I encourage the girls to do some more digging and hopefully even move parts of the colony in.
I am not sure why these ants did not like the DigFix, while other people keep Messor with DigFix nests without problem.
This is how the back of the AntCube looks now (the moisture is still creeping downwards, I was careful to not put too much water; at the bottom, there are two holes in the glass into which the ants can enter).
I also got them a larger 10ml water drinker.
I also offered them a small drinker with sunburst nectar.
These Messor do not have a sweet tooth and are not really into honey, sugar and nectar, but other people keeping Messor report that the ants like it on occasion. So I give the nectar a second chance.
I will report back on how all this develops.
The colony has been doing well, they still take seed and love their walnuts.
I have switched all heat off and they have become calmer and are less active, ready for their winter break.
EDIT:
This is so cute!
So 30mins later, they have started excavations.
They have started to dig into the new sand nest, and also started digging a tunnel in the outworld.
This seems to be some quite nice enrichment for them.
Edited by Ernteameise, Yesterday, 1:22 PM.
