13 replies to this topic

[AntsBrazil]

Hello guys, I have 3 nests that are ready to use but I don't know if it's ok for the ants. I was thinking about testing them with wild ants, but I would like to know the opinions of you guys, if I should test them, and how to do it in the best way possible. 

I was thinking about taking some workers and some brood and hold them in the nest for some time and see if they don't die, and if the brood develops. 

Thanks.

[BMM]

I'm still relatively new to ant keeping, but I've successfully done this twice already with workers and it's been helpful. The ants don't seem to mind too much, although there's an obvious risk with putting them into an untested environment.

[Alabama Anter]

I feel like having wild ants test it first is more ideal. If they die then that means it's not suitably for your ants.

[AntsBrazil]

Yeah, it could also help prevent escapes. 

[SamKeepsAnts]

yeh I test all my formicarium with Argentine ants.

[AntsBrazil]

yeh I test all my formicarium with Argentine ants.

You guys use just ants or brood too? 

[Batspiderfish]

This sounds like a good way to introduce contaminant organisms to your future colony.

[noebl1]

This sounds like a good way to introduce contaminant organisms to your future colony.

This was my first thought as well... I wouldn't want to risk it as not sure how well it can be sterilized.  

Edited by noebl1, January 17 2017 - 11:40 AM.

[AntsBrazil]

So I can expose my ants to the nest that can maybe kill them, or test it with other ants that maybe are carrying things that maybe will not be good to my ants. I don't know what to do now hahaha.

[Kevin]

Test it with a worker(s) from the colony you want to move it into. If it dies, oh well, better than the whole colony, and if it survives, it's reunited with the colony anyway.

[Alabama Anter]

Hmmmm. I agree with Kevin 100%! Try that JPS.

[Leo]

yup me too

[Batspiderfish]

Test it with a worker(s) from the colony you want to move it into. If it dies, oh well, better than the whole colony, and if it survives, it's reunited with the colony anyway.

Although, a worker can die much more easily if it is by itself. A sample of workers will be more appropriate.

Having said that, unless you have reason to believe that there are toxic materials in the setup, any colony you put in there should be fine. If hydration is a concern, just make sure they have access to a test tube with water. What species are you thinking about putting in there?

[AntsBrazil]

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking about using a similar design to Camponotus, Solenopsis, Crematogaster and Pachycondyla. I used Aquarium silicone and everything but I made a founding nest with the same products and the queen(Camponotus) didn't develop her brood, a queen that I captured in the same week now have 14 workers, and the queen in the nest keeps loosing her brood, so I think that the nest is maybe killing it. Maybe having a test tube always attached would solve the problem.