9 replies to this topic

[Californian Anter]

My colony isn't doing very well.

 

So far, only a single ant has been in the outworld, and apparently they cannot discern the two. That worker has gotten lost. In addition, I feel the size of the nest (7 chambers of an omni nest) as well as the composition is causing the ants to reject/get lost in their nest. A TarheelAnts Mini Hearth is on its way now. What is the general consensus on moving this colony? If is no way to connect tubing where they can find it, is it possible to first refrigerate them, then transfer them in using featherweight forceps? 

Edited by Californian Anter, February 7 2017 - 3:35 PM.

[Kevin]

Either that, aspirators, use your fingers, or dump them.

[Californian Anter]

Either that, aspirators, use your fingers, or dump them.

Thanks. I will first test the forceps on argentines and see if it harms them 

[Batspiderfish]

What makes you think the workers are lost? Have they been dying in the outworld?

[sgheaton]

 dump them.

 

So silly question as it probably shouldn't be done if it can be avoided...How far can ants fall without dieing? I'm sure its MUCH farther than anyone expects. That exoskeleton doin'' wonders! 

Probably safe to assume that 1 foot dropped ant isn't as stressed as a 20 foot dropped worker. Then again, I don't know ants, they do fly, hard exoskeletons.... I'm trying to think of reasons to NOT simply dump them but I really can't form a good reason to counter it, hence my silly hypothetical .

[Kevin]

 

 dump them.

 

So silly question as it probably shouldn't be done if it can be avoided...How far can ants fall without dieing? I'm sure its MUCH farther than anyone expects. That exoskeleton doin''' wonders! 

Probably safe to assume that 1 foot dropped ant isn't as stressed as a 20 foot dropped worker. Then again, I don't know ants, they do fly, hard exoskeletons.... I'm trying to think of reasons to NOT simply dump them but I really can't form a good reason to counter it, hence my silly hypothetical .

 

Well, I know drew transports his colonies into dirt boxes via dumping into a funnel and shaking. It could cause some stress, but if you really need to force it I don't think it's a major issue.

[sgheaton]

Hahaha, Yeah I remember the funnel pictures. I think dumping becomes an issue when you dump a container of ants AND dirt. While I wouldn't put it past people, I'm not sure with this crowd anymore...

[Californian Anter]

What makes you think the workers are lost? Have they been dying in the outworld?

No brood, no ants go back and forth from the outworld to the nest, all have shrunken gasters, queen tends to run around erratically. 

[Serafine]

So silly question as it probably shouldn't be done if it can be avoided...How far can ants fall without dieing? I'm sure its MUCH farther than anyone expects. That exoskeleton doin'''' wonders!

Unless they're in a bunch of dirt and get squashed by the weight of the dirt above them ants can actually fall for hundreds of meters. Ants are so small that the air is like syrup for them and they do not really fall in the way we do.

That is of course more true for smaller ants - Tetramorium workers can fall for hundreds of meters without getting a scratch while the 35mm Myrmecia workers might possibly get some issues if they fall on hard ground.

Edited by Serafine, February 8 2017 - 4:40 PM.

[Serafine]

No brood, no ants go back and forth from the outworld to the nest, all have shrunken gasters, queen tends to run around erratically.

Put them into a (darkened) test tube as fast as possible. They're not ready for a big nest. If you get them into a test tube fast enough and put some honey or sugar water in with them they might still make it.

You can put them into a fridge for a few minutes (only a few minutes so they calm down) then take of the chamber ceilings and tip them into a funnel that leads into the new test tube.
After they've dropped into the tube put a foil with some honey/sugar water into the tube and place the tube inside the outworld. Also darken the tube so the ants stay there. If they run out you can also plug it so they can't get out until they calmed down.

Edited by Serafine, February 8 2017 - 4:50 PM.