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Going away for 6 days

Started By NZAntKeeper , Jan 20 2017 7:08 PM

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7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline NZAntKeeper - Posted January 20 2017 - 7:08 PM

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Hello everyone, I'm going away for 6 days and I was wondering do my parents need to feed my ants? Or will they be alright? I have about 8 colonys in test tubes, max worker count is 11 and 2 colonys in nests one has about 110 workers the other has about 20 workers. Should I just chuck a big cricket or fly in for the test tube colonys and a couple big crickets in for the colonys with the greater amount of workers? Also the colony with the most amount of workers has a water feeder and a sugar water feeder so they will be fine for the liquids. Will all my other colonys be fine without sugar water or honey for the time I'm gone?

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Species I have kept or are keeping
-Nylanderia sp?
-Pheidole sp
-Pachycondyla Castanea (I didn't catch the queen sadly)
-Monomorium Antarcticum
-Iridomyrmex sp
-Ochetellus Glaber

-Amblyopone Australis

#2 Offline dermy - Posted January 20 2017 - 10:47 PM

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Just feed them before you leave, make sure they have water. The big colony with the sugar/water feeder should be good, just give them a bigger [not huge but a bit bigger] of a meal before you go. 6 Days isn't too much time anyway.

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#3 Offline NZAntKeeper - Posted January 20 2017 - 11:12 PM

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Alright thanks, do I give all the test tube colonys sugar water before I leave too?
Also the smaller colony in the nest has no vents in the outworld and there is no tube leading to the nest do my parents need to open the outworld every few days to give them oxygen?

-Amblyopone Australis

#4 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted January 21 2017 - 6:32 AM

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If they are sealed inside their test tubes, then don't feed them insect protein. Only give them insects when they have foraging space.

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If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

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Black lives still matter.

#5 Offline NZAntKeeper - Posted January 21 2017 - 10:41 PM

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But don't they need insects for protein for their larvae?

-Amblyopone Australis

#6 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted January 21 2017 - 10:52 PM

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But don't they need insects for protein for their larvae?

They do, but the ants can go for six days without eating. Leaving food in their tube will only promote the risk of dangerous molds. If your colonies have workers, then they need foraging space anyways; sealed test tubes are only for foundress queens and their first workers.

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

----

Black lives still matter.

#7 Offline NZAntKeeper - Posted January 21 2017 - 11:04 PM

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Alright thanks ill try get some containers for their outworld before I go. Just one more question will my parents have to open up the outworld every few days to give them oxygen or will they be fine? Thanks