5 replies to this topic

[MrLunk]

Tja, the title pretty much says it all

I've ordered all kinds of stuff that's needed and a 1st Lasius Niger queen with 12 workers in a start tube.

A few tube connection splitters, 2m of 10mm tubing, endcaps and a small outworld to start out with...

FLuon cottonwool etc....

Perhaps some 50 EUro overkill for a starter but I want to take this a long way

I'll be D.I.Y.-ing the later necessary bigger nesting mazes and other outworld in the near fututre...

For now... waiting for the delivery of all the materials and the ants

Greetigs,
Peter Lunk
 

Edited by MrLunk, June 14 2023 - 12:27 PM.

[Ernteameise]

Good luck!

Don't forget to share some pictures of your setup and the fledgling colony and the exploits of your girls.

Greetings from Germany.

[ANTdrew]

Good luck to you! You can get some great advice on here, plus we’d love to follow the progress of your colony if you choose to journal them.

[Serafine]

Um... let me give you a quick warning here.

Lasius niger are notorious escapists. Compared to most other ants they are super active, super curious, super fast and super explorative (well, once they have around 100+ workers).

If the setup has a weakness anywhere, they will find it VERY quickly.

 

When my gf's colony of maybe 200-250 workers first explored their new vertical farm the lid wasn't 100% aligned and they immediately found a <1mm gap at the narrow side and walked right through.

I've now taped down the lid over its entire lenght, just to be sure.

 

So if you DIY your nests make sure they are super escape proof and don't take any risks. This is a species that absolutely needs a maximum security approach.

Edited by Serafine, June 14 2023 - 1:23 PM.

[MrLunk]

So if you DIY your nests make sure they are super escape proof and don't take any risks. This is a species that absolutely needs a maximum security approach.

Thanks for the tip, but I was assuming that any ant eclosure would need very carefull and precise fittings
I am perfectionist at stuff like this so I think I will do ok...
Once the stuff arrives I'll start either a blog or perhaps a amateur video series about my fairng...

Thanks for caring and giving the extra double warning

PL.

Edited by MrLunk, June 14 2023 - 11:24 PM.

[MrLunk]

I've setup the start for a Journal here:

https://www.formicul...y-lasius-niger/