9 replies to this topic

[Melstar22]

I am a new ant keeper and just recently caught a new myrmica colony. I caught the queen, a ton of brood and about 30+ workers.
Just in the last 10 mins i just noticed that about half the colony is outside in the outworld running frantically around. The nest looks fine, humidity is good. The workers in the nest are also running around frantically and some are moving eggs around. There is nothing that has bumped the nest and no significant changes in the last while.
Any reason why this would be happening?

[Zeiss]

How long ago did you introduce the colony to their new setup? If it has only been a few days or possibly a week or two, they could still be settling into their new environment.

[LC3]

How long have you kept the colony? Maybe they're panicking because they're confused or so and haven't settled down.. They also have a reputation for swarming at the slightest threat and it seems to me they take sometime to settle. Either way I don't think it's too important/something wrong is going on. If they don't stop running around for the next hour or day than maybe there's something wrong.

 

Just a tip. might wan't to keep the outworld dry and no crevices/moist substrate aka simple/easy to access; they tend to nest everywhere, I found out they are just as comfortable as nesting under a test tube instead of in one.

Edited by LC3, August 17 2015 - 3:41 PM.

[William. T]

I am a new ant keeper and just recently caught a new myrmica colony. I caught the queen, a ton of brood and about 30+ workers.
Just in the last 10 mins i just noticed that about half the colony is outside in the outworld running frantically around. The nest looks fine, humidity is good. The workers in the nest are also running around frantically and some are moving eggs around. There is nothing that has bumped the nest and no significant changes in the last while.
Any reason why this would be happening?

They take time to adjust and to find the nesting area. LC3 and Zeiss have answered it in a nutshell.

[Melstar22]

I've had them for about a week. They have seemed to settle in really good. They havent done this since moving in about a week ago. Does that change anything or would they still do sporadic run arounds like this?

[LC3]

I would let them settle in or not disturb them maybe you can feed them something to calm them down? My guesses are either something disturbed them or they might be having a nuptial flight assuming there are alates.

[Melstar22]

I would let them settle in or not disturb them maybe you can feed them something to calm them down? My guesses are either something disturbed them or they might be having a nuptial flight assuming there are alates.

There is one winged male in there, he hasnt left the nest however, that was one of my possible thoughts actually, maybe ill find him flying around my living room later...lol

[dspdrew]

Yeah, that kind of sounds like they're swarming. I also thought it's possible some little flying insect could have landed in there or something, because a lot of ants will go nuts when another insect invades their nest. I think they perceive a threat and assume there are more on the way.

[LC3]

Yeah, that kind of sounds like they're swarming. I also thought it's possible some little flying insect could have landed in there or something, because a lot of ants will go nuts when another insect invades their nest. I think they perceive a threat and assume there are more on the way.

Myrmica perceive every thing as a threat... except other ants.

[William. T]

 

Yeah, that kind of sounds like they're swarming. I also thought it's possible some little flying insect could have landed in there or something, because a lot of ants will go nuts when another insect invades their nest. I think they perceive a threat and assume there are more on the way.

Myrmica perceive every thing as a threat... except other ants.

 

I have yet to find why Myrmica are so successful. Can't fight, can't forage, can't live peacefully, can't lay much eggs, can't tolerate the smallest things.