So, I have three Camponotus pennsylvanicus colonies.
C2 has one nanitic and seven eggs.
C3 has one nanitic and ~15 eggs.
C4 has 14 nanitics/minors, ~25 pupae/huge larvae, and 40+ eggs with more appearing every day.
God, that looks like the start of an algebra problem.
Anyway, while I'm pleasantly surprised with the amount of eggs 2 and 3 have laid since coming out of hibernation, I'm still concerned about those nanitics. They should be fairly old, and I haven't been very impressed by their ability to forage, bring back sugar water, or really do anything important. It concerned me enough I removed their access to their outworlds a week or two ago. C4 seems to be doing great, but I confess I'm a little nervous about caring for a large colony, and their growth seems to be going exponential.
So, I'm thinking I will take 4-6 pupae from C4 and split evenly them between C2 and C3. Nothing major, but I think the queens will really benefit from a helping hand with the next generation. If I understand brood boosting correctly, taking the pupae, letting them "air out" in a moist environment for about a day, and then introducing them to C2/C3 should be about as safe as I can get, yes? Any thing extra I should worry about? Both the eggs and pupae should all be hatching/eclosing within a few days of each other.
Edited by Antsinmycloset, March 22 2017 - 1:04 PM.
