48 replies to this topic

[benjiwuf]

Any new developments on this? I'm really curious to see how this is working out.

[Anhzor]

They now have two pupae and a clutch of eggs

 

 

 

[Anhzor]

Here is P. rugosus before and after

 

[Anhzor]

here is solenopsis Xyloni

 

[Gregory2455]

Dang! that's a lot of brood for one P.rugosus. Mine always have only gotten one or two nanatics so far.

[dspdrew]

It's the agar!

[Gregory2455]

Meanwhile I am mourning the mass deaths in my P.rugosus queen population.

[Anhzor]

the thing about the agar gel set up is it allows for the queen to feel comfortable.  I notice that they would periodically come out of their chambers to go drink on the sugar/protein mixture i put outside without feeling threaten.  I think its the combination of adequate moisture and nutrition that allow them to produce so much brood in this set up. 

however keep in mind i did not have the same success with formicea, probably because they can't dig through the agar.

[Gregory2455]

I need to try this with my remaining queens. Right now it looks like I will only have 4/22 successful.

[benjiwuf]

So we're up to what around 5 weeks with no mold still? Sounds to me like a pretty good test tube setup alternative still.

[Anhzor]

So we're up to what around 5 weeks with no mold still? Sounds to me like a pretty good test tube setup alternative still.

 

more like 7 weeks, they been in those tubes for a while before i posted in this thread.  that's not to say that infectious agent won't grow, i had bacterial colonization on some of my set up because the pan that i was boiling water had chicken fat residue.  Add some salt or antifungal agent if you want to keep the mold off.  I'm thinking about putting some antibiotics in the mixture.

Edited by Anhzor, September 17 2014 - 1:11 AM.

[benjiwuf]

I may have to try this out for my queens. Any suggestions on what to look for when shopping for antifungal and antibacterial supplies? Or would the salt take care of that safely?

[Anhzor]

Salt is really there for the bacteria, i haven't had any mold growth yet because there's no sugar in it.  So far most of the anti fungal additives need to be found online, one of them is methyl-parabin.  Be careful though because in high concentration its pretty much a toxin.  IMO mold and bacterial growth are the least of your worries, getting the right concentration of agar to water is probably the hardest part.

[Ant_DMF]

Can you give us exact measures of ingredients for us?

 

It would make our life much easier and not put our ants at risk if we do it wrong.

[Alza]

agreed

[Anhzor]

2 table spoon for 3/4 cups of water.  Make sure you let it dry out for a bit cause water will seep out a bit after curing takes place.

Edited by Anhzor, September 28 2014 - 3:06 AM.

[Ant_DMF]

Thank you for your info! I am doing this tomorrow. If you have more tips, let us know.

[Gregory2455]

Awesome! ... Where can I buy agar?

[Crystals]

Agar is basically a vegetarian gelatin.  Try calling some health food stores, I found some once in a Bulk food place.  I see it occasionally in some grocery stores, especially ones catering to gourmet cooking.

Sometimes Asian supermarkets.

[dspdrew]

Yes, asian markets will have it. I bought mine on Amazon.