8 replies to this topic

[zlez93]

I've got 2 mymrica colonies, purchased from the same seller so they might be related and I have no idea how to merge them.

 

IN THE FUTURE, I will have a small chamber where I can partition the wall with mesh but nothing right now.

 

I've put two workers in the foraging box, they kinda seemed to be biting each other, they've been in together for like 3 hours and there's 1 ant dead.

 

[LC3]

Only certain Myrmica species will merge colonies, and during a certain time of the year (i.e Myrmica rubra during the spring) I would suggest you separate them immediately as assuming you're in North America the Myrmica taxonomy here is an utter mess and chances of accurate identification is slim. On the other hand you can take one for science if you're willing potentially to loose a colony.

[Batspiderfish]

Not so much "science" as "neglect". There's really no good reason to continue with this (especially considering you don't know what species they are). You might get what you want and have a Myrmica colony with two queens that you'll never be able to spot inside the nest, or more likely, you could wind up killing one or both colonies.

 

I doubt many people have experience doing this to Myrmica because the survival of their pet colony would have to be foremost in order to keep them successfully in the first place.

Edited by Batspiderfish, May 4 2017 - 12:30 PM.

[zlez93]

Only certain Myrmica species will merge colonies, and during a certain time of the year (i.e Myrmica rubra during the spring) I would suggest you separate them immediately as assuming you're in North America the Myrmica taxonomy here is an utter mess and chances of accurate identification is slim. On the other hand you can take one for science if you're willing potentially to loose a colony.

 

Not in NA and they are rubra. What would you suggest is the best way to merge them?

 

Not so much "science" as "neglect". There's really no good reason to continue with this (especially considering you don't know what species they are). You might get what you want and have a Myrmica colony with two queens that you'll never be able to spot inside the nest, or more likely, you could wind up killing one or both colonies.

 

I doubt many people have experience doing this to Myrmica because the survival of their pet colony would have to be foremost in order to keep them successfully in the first place.

 

Thanks for the concern but I'm willing to risk it.

[LC3]

I don't have any experience with Myrmica rubra, so I can't give you any advice but from what I've read the colonies fragment during hibernation and merge during spring right after hibernation.  So as far as I can tell certain conditions must be met. 

[gcsnelling]

because the survival of their pet colony would have to be foremost in order to keep them successfully in the first place.

 

Thanks for the concern but I'm willing to risk it.

 

Pretty sad attitude.

[zlez93]

 

 

because the survival of their pet colony would have to be foremost in order to keep them successfully in the first place.

 

Thanks for the concern but I'm willing to risk it.

 

Pretty sad attitude.

 

 

Is it?

 

I didn't purchase multiple colonies to raise them separately.

[dermy]

Honestly, not only is it a risk, it's much better off to have 2 separate colonies. I'd rather have two colonies in separate setups, because then you don't have to worry about one big event killing both queens/colonies. You never know what might happen, mold problems, disease, pests etc.

 

As the old saying goes Never put all your eggs in one basket

[zlez93]

Honestly, not only is it a risk, it's much better off to have 2 separate colonies. I'd rather have two colonies in separate setups, because then you don't have to worry about one big event killing both queens/colonies. You never know what might happen, mold problems, disease, pests etc.

 

As the old saying goes Never put all your eggs in one basket

 

In my case, it's not better to have 2 separate colonies since I don't have the space . I think I'll make an attempt at it with the mesh in a few weeks time and see how it goes from there. I purchased 3 colonies so if it goes wrong I've got 1 spare .