11 replies to this topic

[T.C.]

Hello all, I was thinking of giving my queen a worker. She just has larvae, and she wouldn't eat hardly anything when I took her out of hibernation to feed her because she was so skinny. I am thinking of taking her out and giving her a worker here soon. Anyone have any experience in this?

[AntsMAN]

I personally haven't done this before, just let her do her thing she'll be fine if she is healthy. But if you are going to, I'd choose a small callow worker and put it in for the remainder of hibernation. I take my larger colonies out once a month during hibernation for a sugar boost.

[T.C.]

hmmm... thanks. I woulld get the worker out of my house, they are everywhere. So you think a small worker rather than something like a major?

[Saftron]

Definately not a major. The smaller worker will help more.

[T.C.]

Awesome, that is mostly what the ones in our house are. Not many majors.

[AntsMAN]

Awesome, that is mostly what the ones in our house are. Not many majors.

I'd still be careful as these ants are foraging workers and will probably attack. I'd make sure both queen and worker are cooled down before putting them together, to avoid any potential harm.

[T.C.]

 

Awesome, that is mostly what the ones in our house are. Not many majors.

I'd still be careful as these ants are foraging workers and will probably attack. I'd make sure both queen and worker are cooled down before putting them together, to avoid any potential harm.

 

Ok, thank you.

[Diesel]

I didn't know u could add workers from a different colony to a fertile queen.

[T.C.]

I didn't know u could add workers from a different colony to a fertile queen.

Sometimes they will accept them if they are in need, however it is a dangerous process, for both the queen and the worker.

[Saftron]

The worker might see the queen as food for their own colony.

[LC3]

Generally Camponotus workers will adapt a new queen if they've been in isolation for around 3 months according to Crystals and some other accounts.

Foraging ants tend to be the colonie's eldest workers so they're not very optimal for adoption.

[MichiganAnts]

Generally Camponotus workers will adapt a new queen if they've been in isolation for around 3 months according to Crystals and some other accounts.

Foraging ants tend to be the colonie's eldest workers so they're not very optimal for adoption.

this

 

the workers you see foraging are NOT the best candidates for introducing to a new queen. they are the eldest ants in that colony.