7 replies to this topic

[MazerRackham77]

Hello, I am relatively new to ant-keeping. I live in Ohio, where we've got plenty of ants for most of the year. I've been trying to get into ant-keeping for almost a year now, but due to some misinformation I got from an ant-keeping guidebook, my first attempts didn't go so well. 

 

I'm a bit better prepared the second time around, thankfully. I've currently got one Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Black Carpenter Ant queen and three Tetramorium Immigrans Pavement Ant queens. I originally had five, but I gave two to a friend who is also trying to get into the hobby.

 

All my queens are in AntsCanada test tubes, and I have AC test tube portals to transition them into. I currently have both Carpenter Ant and Pavement Ant nanitics, so they seem to be doing good.

 

However, I was hoping I could find out how many nanitics are recommended in Black Carpenter Ant and Pavement Ant setups before transitioning them to an intermediate setup where they would be fed? 

 

I was also wondering if Carpenter Ants require fresh prey for food? My understanding is that pavement ants are generally not very picky and willing to eat dried crickets, like you can get at a pet store, but I'm not sure what food Black Carpenter Ants require.

 

In a few days, I will be leaving for a week on a trip and so I won't be able to feed them, although I can leave them with a friend if necessary.

 

 

I think Antkeeping is really cool (cooler than Beekeeping, since it's done purely for the pleasure of the experience rather than a byproduct), and I think that it's amazing that there are forums of people dedicated to supporting the hobby. I'd appreciate if anyone who has experience with Camponotus Pennsylvanicus or Tetramorium Immigrans could answer my questions.

 

Thanks for all that you do to keep Ant-keeping alive!

 

 

Regards,

 

---MazerRackham77

[IdioticMouse26]

Hi! And welcome to formiculture! It's always nice to see someone new get into the wonderful hobby of antkeeping.

To answer your questions, you should start feeding your ants when you see the nanitics pulling at the cotton blocking the testube. It means they're hungrey and ready to forage for food. 

On what to feed your ants, you should start with sugar water or pre-killed feeder insects. Make sure not to give them too much and remove leftover after 2 or 3 days. Carpenter ants are also not that picky, but they do love sweet things.

Good luck with your ant colonies! feel free to ask more questions if you have them.

Edited by IdioticMouse26, August 11 2024 - 1:14 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Welcome! Read through this guide carefully, and it will answer your questions.
https://www.formicul...view=getnewpost

Edited by ANTdrew, August 11 2024 - 2:23 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Hello, I am relatively new to ant-keeping. I live in Ohio, where we've got plenty of ants for most of the year. I've been trying to get into ant-keeping for almost a year now, but due to some misinformation I got from an ant-keeping guidebook, my first attempts didn't go so well. 

 

I'm a bit better prepared the second time around, thankfully. I've currently got one Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Black Carpenter Ant queen and three Tetramorium Immigrans Pavement Ant queens. I originally had five, but I gave two to a friend who is also trying to get into the hobby.

 

All my queens are in AntsCanada test tubes, and I have AC test tube portals to transition them into. I currently have both Carpenter Ant and Pavement Ant nanitics, so they seem to be doing good.

 

However, I was hoping I could find out how many nanitics are recommended in Black Carpenter Ant and Pavement Ant setups before transitioning them to an intermediate setup where they would be fed? 

 

I was also wondering if Carpenter Ants require fresh prey for food? My understanding is that pavement ants are generally not very picky and willing to eat dried crickets, like you can get at a pet store, but I'm not sure what food Black Carpenter Ants require.

 

In a few days, I will be leaving for a week on a trip and so I won't be able to feed them, although I can leave them with a friend if necessary.

 

 

I think Antkeeping is really cool (cooler than Beekeeping, since it's done purely for the pleasure of the experience rather than a byproduct), and I think that it's amazing that there are forums of people dedicated to supporting the hobby. I'd appreciate if anyone who has experience with Camponotus Pennsylvanicus or Tetramorium Immigrans could answer my questions.

 

 

Hey, welcome! Attach their test tubes to the test tube portals as soon as they have workers, as feeding inside the test tube is dangerous (they can drown in liquids). All ants benefit from fresh insects, you can get some from PetSmart or PetCo, or another local pet store. Mealworms, superworms, and dubia roaches are favorites, though as the guide suggests it isn't a bad idea to freeze the fresh ones for a few hours. I'd recommend feeding Tetras those as well, as dried insects don't have nearly as much nutritional value, and it would be much better to feed them fresh. You can read my Tetramorium immigrans journal for some more insights on that species, I'm not currently keeping Camponotus. Good luck!

Edited by AntsDakota, August 11 2024 - 6:19 AM.

[MazerRackham77]

Thanks for the advice!

 

An additional question:

I'm leaving on a trip for a week in a couple of days, and I was wondering if it would be better to leave them with a friend, or if they would be fine without food for that long?

 

Thanks,

 

MazerRackham77

[Artisan_Ants]

Thanks for the advice!
 
An additional question:
I'm leaving on a trip for a week in a couple of days, and I was wondering if it would be better to leave them with a friend, or if they would be fine without food for that long?
 
Thanks,
 
MazerRackham77

Leaving them for a couple weeks with food should be fine (they can survive minimum a month without food for a little colony whereas larger can survive over two without food. Results are much better when fed before though). Just make sure there is a food source before you leave to ensure they will be fine while you are off. I would recommend to add both sugars and protein in case they are full on one of the types. Good luck with your colonies!

[RushmoreAnts]

Yes, leave some honeywater or sugarwater out for them, preferably in an ant feeder like the ones from ByFormica, though leaving it in the test tube portal still works. Keep in mind without a feeder there is a chance they will drown, so I would recommend putting them in an outworld and having a feeder, which will likely last them two weeks.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Thanks for the advice!

 

An additional question:

I'm leaving on a trip for a week in a couple of days, and I was wondering if it would be better to leave them with a friend, or if they would be fine without food for that long?

 

Thanks,

 

MazerRackham77

You might find this thread helpful https://www.formicul...on/#entry242582