12 replies to this topic

[CozmoDog]

So I basicly wanted to know how often you guys check on your queens when they are in their claustrar stage, I recently caught 5 queens and they don't seem too bothered when I check on them unless I move their box too hard they also don't eat their eggs. Is it different for each species on how skittish they are?

[Spamdy]

Once a week

[Jonathan21700]

 I just check them the day after I've put them in test tubes to see if everything is OK after that once a week.

Edited by Jonathan21700, May 13 2017 - 12:17 PM.

[Nathant2131]

I check my 7 Prenolepis imparis queens every 5-7 days, and keep them out for an hour or to to get pictures; They are doing remarkably well so far.

Edited by Nathant2131, May 13 2017 - 12:23 PM.

[BMM]

I check on my Camponotus queens once a week. They freak out when I do, but so far no negative effects.

[123LordOfAnts123]

I've found most ants eventually become habituated to regular disturbances and light. Therefore I keep all my colonies in dim to moderate light, with observations made using a bright LED, and never fret about checking them excessively, within reason of course. IMO, this is less stressful for them as check-ups produce little to no alarm response while a colony kept in the dark and only checked occasionally reacts negatively every time.

There are however exceptions with some genera. Formica, and much of the dolichoderinae for example, seem to always remain sensitive to bright lights and vibrations.

[soulsynapse]

no eggs = once a week tops

 

eggs = 2 or 3 times a week, tops

 

workers = every other day

 

lots of workers = whenever

[CamponotusLover]

Most my queens I do every 1-2 weeks.
Some queens it's better to leave for 1 month.
Some queens though, can be stress trained, but don't do this though unless you have been informed that your specific species can be stress trained by a professional.

[Martialis]

Too much.

[dermy]

Usually once every 5 days during the founding stage. Once they have workers I move them into the light and eventually they just get used to it.

[CozmoDog]

I see every ant keeper seems different, me as I said I check on them quite often maybe 2-3 times a week like soulsynapss. I want to try once every sunday but I just get too impatient.

[Alabama Anter]

2-3 days

 

I don't know about you guys, but I have NEVER had a queen eat her brood. I have only had 4 queens die in my days of antkeeping.

[CozmoDog]

I see my queens as I said seem quite calm when I check on them one thing that worries me and I wanted your opinion on it, basicly I keep my 5 queens in test tubes inside an old box with a towel under the tibes inside the box and one towel above I also lower the cover of the box above. I keep the box with my queens ontop a wardrobe, my worry is that they get disturbed when my brother closes the wardrobe door I think it creates a small vibration it's not really strong or loud but it does make a small noise when it closes so I assume there is also a vibration. How bothersome do you guys think it is for the queens? I checked on them today and they seem to be ok with their eggs still increasing in number.