10 replies to this topic

[CozmoDog]

So in the 1.5 years of me keeping ants this is possibly the biggest disaster that has happened to me. I don't want to bother you guys too much but I will give you a brief explanation. Somehow my family thought it would be a good idea for them to bring my formicarium down from the bookshelf(i keep it as high as possible because I have a dog who messed with my ants before) so that my 10 year old niece could watch the ants long story short, I came home to a broken formicarium and with ants going crazy It took me 2 hours to finally manage to save some workers as well as the queen, before the accident the colony had 10 workers 4-6 pupae 1 big larvae and a big clutch of eggs, all I could save was the queen 8 workers 2-3 pupae which I m not sure whether they are still good and no eggs at all. I am literally out of words and stressed out so much guys I have not felt so bad in my life , probably because it's my first ever colony. I need to know if they can survive please tell me what can I do more.

[CozmoDog]

I want to add that the colony has been through a lot and that's why I want them to succeed I do not know if some species of ants are more durable than other but my colony is Camponotus sanctus.

[Loops117]

I'm no expert, nor have i a lot of experience. But to me, this would be similar to disturbing and collecting a wild colony, only that the colony is a little more used to the nest being moved, light, ....etc.

So, i'd say to do what i do after i collect a wild colony. Water supply, and container with holes in the lid, and sit in a dark quiet area till you're ready to move them again. As for the pupae, i'd say they're prolly good. Wonder if it would help to keep them a little cooler till you're ready to move again.

[CozmoDog]

Oh thanks for the good news at the moment I don't plan to move them I have placed them in a small test tube and put away in the dark I plan to check on them in 2-3 days let them relax first anyways more input from even more experienced ant keepers would be awesome.

[dermy]

So in the 1.5 years of me keeping ants this is possibly the biggest disaster that has happened to me. I don't want to bother you guys too much but I will give you a brief explanation. Somehow my family thought it would be a good idea for them to bring my formicarium down from the bookshelf(i keep it as high as possible because I have a dog who messed with my ants before) so that my 10 year old niece could watch the ants long story short, I came home to a broken formicarium and with ants going crazy It took me 2 hours to finally manage to save some workers as well as the queen, before the accident the colony had 10 workers 4-6 pupae 1 big larvae and a big clutch of eggs, all I could save was the queen 8 workers 2-3 pupae which I m not sure whether they are still good and no eggs at all. I am literally out of words and stressed out so much guys I have not felt so bad in my life , probably because it's my first ever colony. I need to know if they can survive please tell me what can I do more.

Happens to me all the time, sometimes once a week. For the most part, as long as you get the queen and them all inside a Formicarium, and feed/water them they are good. Keep them out of reach of kids and you should be good. Be glad it doesn't happen as often as it does to me, I've had one colony that has had this happen to it at least a dozen times in the last year alone.

[CozmoDog]

Yea I see what you mean how long do you think I should wait before feeding them dermy? Protein or honey ?

[dermy]

Yea I see what you mean how long do you think I should wait before feeding them dermy? Protein or honey ?

given the small size of the colony I'd give them at least some sugary liquids and maybe a small amount of protien, but take it out after a bit before it molds, since the colony is so small you won't need to feed them everyday, I'd say around every 3(?) days.

[CozmoDog]

Okey thank you very much

[Canadian anter]

Brood boost them heavily?

[NightsWebs]

I also would entice them to move as oppose to just moving them by dumping the test tube into a new formicarium.  Ants are durable and they will do what's right for them.  I am no expert on Carpenter Ants but I am sure some heat and light will entice them to pack up and move.  just remember to be careful with heat and test tubes as it can cause the tube to flood.  I usually use a sheath over my test tubes to keep them hidden even if placed in a dark cabinet so light tends to make them want to get out of town.  I hope this helps.

[CozmoDog]

I see thank you all for the responses here is an update, So the colony is back inside a test tube after a year and a half of living inside an actuall nest and outworld so I hope they adapt and not have the need to forage Today I gave them honey and half a cockroach which they seem to feed on, So my question is this after a month that everything happened they still don't have any brood left do you guys think they will adapt to the situation soon and maybe have some brood and maybe a few workers before end of summer ? At the moment it's just the queen and 7 workers.