7 replies to this topic

[Stubyvast]

Hey guys! So one of my myrmica rubra queen set ups has developed a decently large mold issue. The mold hasn't spread to the water, but has simply collected around the cotton of the test tube. The queens inside it are completely nonchalant, and seem not to care. I gave them another test-tube to migrate to, but they don't seem interested in moving out. The mold hasn't spread.

In my single queen set-up (another one), the queen simply dumped some soil on top of a little bit of mold, and the mold mysteriously went away, and is not a problem for her. I assume some bacteria ate it all up.

So should I be worried for the multi-queen set-up? Or should I just leave it be and wait for the first workers to arrive? If you want some pics just let me know.

[AntsAreUs]

I always get mold in Myrmica test tubes. I usually just let them get their workers and move them immediately into an actual nest/outworld setup.

[Stubyvast]

Oh ok great! I'll see about doing that. Thanks for your help!

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Hey guys! So one of my myrmica rubra queen set ups has developed a decently large mold issue. The mold hasn't spread to the water, but has simply collected around the cotton of the test tube. The queens inside it are completely nonchalant, and seem not to care. I gave them another test-tube to migrate to, but they don't seem interested in moving out. The mold hasn't spread.
In my single queen set-up (another one), the queen simply dumped some soil on top of a little bit of mold, and the mold mysteriously went away, and is not a problem for her. I assume some bacteria ate it all up.
So should I be worried for the multi-queen set-up? Or should I just leave it be and wait for the first workers to arrive? If you want some pics just let me know.

Bit late but generally you move ants from any bad situation first through some kind of encouragement or reason, and then through force. If you don’t want to force them, stress the ants in the original tube, but make it a safer spot. Adding light, shaking the original tube, stop heating the original tube, etc. You could also dump them out too. If I may ask, do you add substrate or use sugar water? Those can be common mold causes. Usually I get mold after almost a year with good condition.

[Stubyvast]

Okay yes so I did end up moving them to a new test-tube, simply by annoying them a bit, and shining a light on them. That night they took everything and moved. And thank goodness I did that, because a few days later my single-queen colony, whose mold mysteriously disappeared, was found limping, and the next day dead as a doornail. Welp, dodged that bullet! 

 

 

Hey guys! So one of my myrmica rubra queen set ups has developed a decently large mold issue. The mold hasn't spread to the water, but has simply collected around the cotton of the test tube. The queens inside it are completely nonchalant, and seem not to care. I gave them another test-tube to migrate to, but they don't seem interested in moving out. The mold hasn't spread.
In my single queen set-up (another one), the queen simply dumped some soil on top of a little bit of mold, and the mold mysteriously went away, and is not a problem for her. I assume some bacteria ate it all up.
So should I be worried for the multi-queen set-up? Or should I just leave it be and wait for the first workers to arrive? If you want some pics just let me know.

Bit late but generally you move ants from any bad situation first through some kind of encouragement or reason, and then through force. If you don’t want to force them, stress the ants in the original tube, but make it a safer spot. Adding light, shaking the original tube, stop heating the original tube, etc. You could also dump them out too. If I may ask, do you add substrate or use sugar water? Those can be common mold causes. Usually I get mold after almost a year with good condition.

 

Yes thank you for the info, I did use substrate in the form of potting soil, a very thin layer. I learned my lesson for that! Do not use substrate for founding colonies, especially moisture-loving species. Thanks!

[michiganantsinmyyard]

Okay yes so I did end up moving them to a new test-tube, simply by annoying them a bit, and shining a light on them. That night they took everything and moved. And thank goodness I did that, because a few days later my single-queen colony, whose mold mysteriously disappeared, was found limping, and the next day dead as a doornail. Welp, dodged that bullet!

Hey guys! So one of my myrmica rubra queen set ups has developed a decently large mold issue. The mold hasn't spread to the water, but has simply collected around the cotton of the test tube. The queens inside it are completely nonchalant, and seem not to care. I gave them another test-tube to migrate to, but they don't seem interested in moving out. The mold hasn't spread.
In my single queen set-up (another one), the queen simply dumped some soil on top of a little bit of mold, and the mold mysteriously went away, and is not a problem for her. I assume some bacteria ate it all up.
So should I be worried for the multi-queen set-up? Or should I just leave it be and wait for the first workers to arrive? If you want some pics just let me know.

Bit late but generally you move ants from any bad situation first through some kind of encouragement or reason, and then through force. If you don’t want to force them, stress the ants in the original tube, but make it a safer spot. Adding light, shaking the original tube, stop heating the original tube, etc. You could also dump them out too. If I may ask, do you add substrate or use sugar water? Those can be common mold causes. Usually I get mold after almost a year with good condition.

Yes thank you for the info, I did use substrate in the form of potting soil, a very thin layer. I learned my lesson for that! Do not use substrate for founding colonies, especially moisture-loving species. Thanks!

It’s fine if you use substrate, as long as it is thoroughly sterilized. Some species do need substrate.

[Stubyvast]

Ah okay that's good to know. I did find this potting soil in an old bag in my backyard...so I think that's why haha

[The_Gaming-gate]

Boil your soil to prevent parasites, mold, and other pathogens.