10 replies to this topic

[Martialis]

My crematogaster queen finally laid eggs, but there is mold on the cotton in her test tube. Any ideas on how to move her? I've had her since September, she's been moved once before. I don't want to disturb her, as i'm pretty sure that's the reason why she just recently laid eggs, probably sometime in November. Ideas?

[Salmon]

She should be fine. The stress caused by moving her would probably be worse than the mold.

[Martialis]

Okay, thanks. I got conflicting advice from you and annexis.. Not sure what to do right now.

[Alabama Anter]

Okay, thanks. I got conflicting advice from you and annexis.. Not sure what to do right now.

Leave her. The mold will not harm the ants unless it's a harmful one. My Aphaenogaster fulva had so much mold that I couldn't see them and they were fine for 4 month

[Mdrogun]

The mold will not harm the ants unless it's a harmful one. 

 

What does this mean?

[FSTP]

 

The mold will not harm the ants unless it's a harmful one. 

 

What does this mean?

 

 

It means they won't get killed unless they die.

[Alabama Anter]

The mold will not harm the ants unless it's a harmful one.

What does this mean?

There are different species of mold and some are harmful to ants and some are not

[Okeedoke22]

I have the same problem. Plus my Crematogaster are ready for hibernation but I have been holding off. They are very low on water and black mold on cotton.

While some mold will not harm ants others can and will. The biggest problem is finding out which mold it is.

I have noticed my Crematogaster stay off cotton. It's black mold and they usually are a few inches away.

My Tertramorium have a brownish/red mold and they hang out on it all the time.

Not sure what to do either so sorry I can't help. I have tried to get my ants to move with light but they haven't budged.

[Antfollower]

I feel any mold growing in formicia should be considered negative, and cause for concern.  I've only witnessed bad things with mold in those conditions.  The conditions wouldn't cater to benefitial microbes, which would mean its a result of some type of contamination.  I've only had positive results by force moving queens and brood with piano wire, or cotton.  My advice is very carefully get them in something fresh.  

Edited by Antfollower, December 7 2016 - 6:43 PM.

[Serafine]

Put the tube into a small container and place a second tube right next to it, remove the front cotton from both tubes (or even better put a large drinking straw (McDonalds has good ones) through the cotton that is large enough for your queen to pass and connect both tubes that way, that way you won't even need a container) and wait. If they feel the mold is bad they will move into the new tube on their own.

Edited by Serafine, December 8 2016 - 2:55 AM.

[AnthonyP163]

Put the tube into a small container and place a second tube right next to it, remove the front cotton from both tubes (or even better put a large drinking straw (McDonalds has good ones) through the cotton that is large enough for your queen to pass and connect both tubes that way, that way you won't even need a container) and wait. If they feel the mold is bad they will move into the new tube on their own.

that's the best way to do it, because like Serafine said, if it's bad, she'll go to the new tube on her own.