12 replies to this topic

[klawfran3]

I found a small Pogonomyrmex colony here in Wyoming while I was hunting for beetle grubs that I managed to scoop into two separate vials (one wasnt big enough). I didn't have any test tubes on me so they had to live in the vials for a day or two until I managed to get a hold of a tube. After spending a few hours coaxing them to leave the vials that they oh so loved I managed to get them all in the tube with an extremely large pile of brood and the queen hopefully not too stressed (although to be honest it was an extremely stressful day or so for her constantly being moved around, so I hope she's okay). My only concern is that all the workers are chewing and pulling on the cotton to the outside of the tube. How do I get them to stop doing this? I can't open it up to feed them because the workers will spill out and I don't want a bunch of Pogonomyrmex running around my room.

Edited by klawfran3, April 11 2017 - 9:12 PM.

[dspdrew]

You can't make them stop. That's one thing I don't like about test tubes.

[klawfran3]

I was afraid of that... So what are my options? I have a tarheel formicarium back in cali that I could probably pick up next time I visit home for a little bit but in the meantime since I'm not allowed to bring ants over boarders what should I do? it'll be a month before I'm back in LA to get the dang thing and bring it back. Maybe I could make a miniature outworld to last the month or so out of some tupperware and ingenuity. I'll try and head to WalMart maybe and see how it turns out.

Edited by klawfran3, April 11 2017 - 9:41 PM.

[SirAnticus]

Is that GBB yours

[klawfran3]

Is that GBB yours

It used to be until I had to move. Had to get rid of about 30 something spiders.

[SirAnticus]

that's alot of money, what were your favorites

[klawfran3]

C. fimbriatus, H. lividum, A. geniculata, and H. villosella.

[Serafine]

Can't you just put them inside a cheap food container to feed them? Drill a hole through the top, enter food from there and close it with cotton if not needed.

Edited by Serafine, April 12 2017 - 1:51 AM.

[AntsSA]

or you could take an empty ice cream tub gut a large square hole in the lid. then 'paint' the under side of the lid with exra virgin olive oil as a barrier

[klawfran3]

Can't you just put them inside a cheap food container to feed them? Drill a hole through the top, enter food from there and close it with cotton if not needed.

Pretty much exactly what I was planning. The thing is I'm moving to a new apartment here in a few weeks and i'd like to be able to have all the ants in the test tube during that so none are running around the outworld.

[Alabama Anter]

Make an outworld.

[SirAnticus]

Drew cuts the finger tip off of a glove and puts it around the cotton. I think it helped with his larger species.

[XZero38]

Take a look at my pogonomyrmex journal in my signature. You will see part way down what i did with my queens. Its a simple setup.