25 replies to this topic

[Alabama Anter]

I have caught 3 Subterranean Termite Queens and was wondering if anyone has any tips/tricks for raising them. Thanks!

[dspdrew]

Reading journals would be a great idea.

[AnthonyP163]

I have caught 3 Subterranean Termite Queens and was wondering if anyone has any tips/tricks for raising them. Thanks!

check on them much less than ants, they HATE light.

[Alabama Anter]

Reading journals would be a great idea.

Mmhmm I did that. Very helpful.

[Connectimyrmex]

I used to keep subterranean termites. Here are some tips: 
 

Fill a test tube with damp dirt/coconut fiber(available in pet stores) (set it up like an ant tube and fill in the airspace with dirt), but leave some airspace between the dry cotton and the dirt.

 

Use a chopstick to make a small burrow in the dirt, but make it large enough to accommodate both the king and queen.

 

Let the colony founders walk into the burrow.

 

Once done, put some small pieces of cardboard/wood pieces in the airspace. Make sure there is still enough room for the termites to walk around. You can block off the burrow with cardboard, but make sure to leave some access to air.

 

Let them be. I've kept dry wood termites and subterranean termites in the light before, but only partial and dim light.

 

Make sure that there is some visibility.

 

If the cardboard starts to disappear, continue to add more, but be careful to not disturb the founders.

 

The eggs take 2 months to hatch.

 

Once you see first nymphs, then you will soon have a colony trying to excavate a massive nest in your little tube. Keep a close eye on your termites, and when you see that the worker adults have matured, try to GENTLY move them into a larger space (with some area already excavated, of course). Add some wood and cardboard every so often, but be careful to not disturb your termites. 

 

You may eventually see your workers make strange dirt tunnels extending out of the ground. When you see that, that means that your colony is starting to make foraging tubes to get at the food. It is a good sign.

 

 

I hope this helps!

[Alabama Anter]

Hmmm that really helps! Unfortunatley I don't think I got any kings (RIP) is there a way past that? On some of Drew's journals I think he had termites without kings (?)

[Alabama Anter]

Also I have a question. I have the queens in a setup that is a regular test tube setup but instead of being just the airspace, I put a wet and mossy peice off wodd in it and the absolutley love it. Is it okay to keep them in that particular setup?

[Connectimyrmex]

Are you sure you don't have kings? King and queen plates look identical!

 

If they don't have dirt their colony may not be as successful when it matures. If they seem happy, though, keep them like that!

 

Try to post a picture of your nest. I don't have a very good idea of what your nest looks like.

[Connectimyrmex]

Also, this is how to find a king:

Place all of the dealates in a large bucket. When you see them in pairs, grab the pairs and put them in their test tubes. If you see any termites that don't get a mate (odd number, forever alone) keep them as backup. You never know when you may get more termites! 

[Alabama Anter]

Omg thanks so much Hawaiiant!!! I think I indeed do have a king! The Termites started to make little founding chambers in the wood. I have a bit of sand as a substrate. Here is a picture.

[Connectimyrmex]

In the pic, I noticed one lone termite. Does that one have a mate?

 

Also, I'm excited to see your colony! keep an eye out for those orange eggs!

Edited by Hawaiiant, January 5 2017 - 6:02 PM.

[Alabama Anter]

In the pic, I noticed one lone termite. Does that one have a mate?

Also, I'm excited to see your colony! keep an eye out for those orange eggs!

Mmhmm I noticed that too but eventually she/he joined the squad.

[AnthonyP163]

It's crazy how termites are so much like ants, but also so different! In Antkeeping you can easily tell males and queens apart, not with termites. And termites are so difficult to keep, also.

Good luck!!'

[Connectimyrmex]

 

In the pic, I noticed one lone termite. Does that one have a mate?

Also, I'm excited to see your colony! keep an eye out for those orange eggs!

Mmhmm I noticed that too but eventually she/he joined the squad.

 

How many are there in the squad? It would be interesting to see a polygyne termite colony

[Alabama Anter]

There are 3 Dealates

[Connectimyrmex]

It's all good I think. I was wondering if there was a sneaky termite hiding under the wood .

[Alabama Anter]

 I Have a question as well! At about when do they usually lay eggs? It has been about 4-5 days with no eggs!

[Connectimyrmex]

Lol, termites are by far the weird bugs. 

 

They take about 2 weeks to lay eggs (my experience) I think. Then they will take 2 months to hatch.

[Alabama Anter]

Lol, termites are by far the weird bugs.

They take about 2 weeks to lay eggs (my experience) I think. Then they will take 2 months to hatch.

[Connectimyrmex]

I sometimes wonder if my termites just laid slow.