6 replies to this topic

[1tsm3jack]

So I have a colony of Monomorium Minimum with 5 queens and somewhere around probably 90 workers, and I have another Monomorium Minimum colony with 1 queen and about 15 workers, if I were to quickly put them all in the same test tube and then very lightly shake it around or something so that they get their colony scents confused or whatever (Just and idea don't flame me for animal cruelty), would they accept the new queen and workers or would they kill them? Another idea is should I just take like one or two workers and some of the brood from the small colony and put them in and see if they kill them/reject them? Or is this just a terrible idea altogether?

[AsdinAnts]

Monomorium Minimum is highly polygnous, they will most likely fuse together. You should just let them mix together when they are ready by attaching both colonies to an outworld, and waiting for one or the other to move in together.

[Izzy]

So I have a colony of Monomorium Minimum with 5 queens and somewhere around probably 90 workers, and I have another Monomorium Minimum colony with 1 queen and about 15 workers, if I were to quickly put them all in the same test tube and then very lightly shake it around or something so that they get their colony scents confused or whatever (Just and idea don't flame me for animal cruelty), would they accept the new queen and workers or would they kill them? Another idea is should I just take like one or two workers and some of the brood from the small colony and put them in and see if they kill them/reject them? Or is this just a terrible idea altogether?

 

The shaking idea would probably just make them really really angry and then they'd kill each other.

I'd probably try and do some research online and see if you can find anyone who has successfully combined colonies. Monomorium are often polygynous but I don't know if that necessarily means you can combine them. Someone else might know,

You could test with workers, but that's not really the same thing as combining queens, and the other queen may potentially try to kill the other.

Whatever you attempt, I'd probably not force them to do it though and see if they do it naturally themselves.

If you try it I'd love to hear about the results.

[1tsm3jack]

I guess I will try tomorrow wish me luck haha.

[AsdinAnts]

it’ll most likely work, but be gentle with them, like Izzy said.

[The_Gaming-gate]

I’d suggest putting your colonies in a cooler or fridge before and after doing this, just for a day or two. The ants can’t fight if they barely move.

Edited by The_Gaming-gate, May 28 2024 - 4:31 AM.

[1tsm3jack]

it’ll most likely work, but be gentle with them, like Izzy said.

Yeah for sure thanks.